Runner fends off attack using self-defense tactics

A Seattle-based runner escaped an attack using self-defense tactics, according to her Instagram post published soon after the event.

Kelly Herron was in the midst of completing a 16K long run in Golden Gardens Park when she stopped to use the restroom. “As I was drying my hands, I became aware that something was wrong,” Herron told ABC News. Gary Steiner, a registered sex offender in Arizona, was standing behind her when Herron turned around. According to Herron, Steiner, who police were able to identify after the attack, had been hiding in a stall before the assault occurred.

The 36-year-old runner recapped the March 6 series of events on Instagram and the details became widely shared soon after. More than 27,500 people have “liked” the post and over 2,750 people have commented on the three images.

Golden Gardens Park is a public park in Ballard, a neighborhood in Seattle.

Shown in her Instagram post is GPS data of the run. Looking at the data, the attack has been recorded as well with the red lines indicating there was repeated back-and-forth movement inside the building. Herron says someone outside had a carabiner, which she used to lock Steiner in a bathroom stall until police arrived.

Original Instagram post (warning: graphic language)

 

My biggest running nightmare became reality- 4 miles into my long run Sunday afternoon, I stopped to use the restroom and was assaulted by a man hiding in a stall (that is my GPS in red lines). I fought for my life screaming(“Not today, M**F**er!”), clawing his face, punching back, and desperately trying to escape his grip- never giving up. I was able to lock him in the bathroom until police arrived. Thankfully I just took a self-defense class offered at my work and utilized all of it. My face is stitched, my body is bruised, but my spirit is intact. #fightingchanceseattle #ballard #runnersafety #marathontraining #womensselfdefense #myballard #fightlikeagirl #fightback #dontbeavictim #nottodaymotherfucker #youcantbreakme #instarunners #garmin #garminvivosmarthr

A post shared by Kelly Herron (@run_kiwi_run) on Mar 6, 2017 at 10:48am PST

“My biggest running nightmare became reality – four miles (6.4K) into my long run Sunday afternoon, I stopped to use the restroom and was assaulted by a man hiding in a stall (that is my GPS in red lines),” she wrote on Instagram. “I fought for my life screaming (“Not today, M**F**er!”), clawing his face, punching back, and desperately trying to escape his grip – never giving up. I was able to lock him in the bathroom until police arrived. Thankfully, I just took a self-defense class offered at my work and utilized all of it. My face is stitched, my body is bruised, but my spirit is intact.”

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“I couldn’t remain the silent, anonymous victim – there is a message of survival that is too important to remain untold,” Herron wrote in a more recent Instagram post, dated March 9.

Herron added that “I hope this encourages women to never stop fighting and never stop running.” She’s currently training for a marathon.

 

I couldn’t remain the silent, anonymous victim- there is a message of survival that is too important to remain untold. I’m grateful to have found the right people to help me tell it. Thank you @siemnykiro7 @kiro7seattle @dorimonsonshow @kiroradio973 @budopunk I hope this encourages women to #neverstopfighting #neverstoprunning #womensselfdefense @mayoredmurray – Are you listening!? #Iamasurvivor #notavictim #nottodaymotherfucker

A post shared by Kelly Herron (@run_kiwi_run) on Mar 8, 2017 at 9:52pm PST