Though most runners consider good shoes and gear to be their most important accessories, personal identification is essential in preparing for unexpected injuries, accidents or dangerous conditions. Whether runners choose a professionally made tag or create their own, personal identification is the first thing runners should remember when they step out the door.
Why Runners Should Carry Personal ID
Most runners become seasoned in anticipating potential hazards on their jogs, from ice patches on the sidewalk to heavy traffic. However, unforeseen dangers always pose a threat to runners when they exercise, particularly if they choose to jog alone. Poor weather conditions, unexpected cars, medical conditions, and even wild animals or violent attacks can potentially pose threats to runners, no matter how rare such occurrences may seem. According to Brian Ouellette of Run The Planet’s website (“The Importance of Carrying ID,” 2005), bringing personal identification on runs can save lives by informing medical personnel of runners’ essential information.
What Runners Should Include On Their Personal IDs
When creating a personal identification tag, runners should include essential information about their health and contacts, should an emergency occur. Ouellette suggests including one’s full name, emergency contact names and phone numbers, allergies, any medical conditions, blood type and one’s primary care physician. Runners should choose emergency contacts who will readily pick up their phone, taking into account both work and home phone numbers. It may be helpful for runners to determine what time of day they are likeliest to run, and who would be available – and where – at that time.
Types of Personal IDs For Running
Several websites provide runners the option of personalizing and purchasing their own professional tags for personal identification. Road ID’s website allows runners to choose between shoe tags, bracelets, anklets and military dog tags depending on which is most comfortable for them, and engraves their information on steel tags to weather against the elements. Other websites, such as Running ID Tags, provide similar services for runners for relatively low costs.
Ouellette also offers suggestions for creating homemade personal identification. He recommends that runners write their information on durable paper to stuff into a sock or pocket, carry information in a wrist or shoe wallet, or permanently write their information inside a baseball cap or on a clothing tag. If runners choose these options, they should remember to use indelible, permanent ink that will not run due to sweat or precipitation.
Though it may seem like a relatively minor and simple concern, carrying personal identification while exercising can make an essential difference in saving a runner’s life. Whether runners choose to purchase professional tags or create their own, personal identification is the one accessory that runners should not exercise without.
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