BENTONVILLE -- Runners need to run defensively and set an example when driving, Mike Rush told a room of a few hundred runners Saturday morning.
Rush, owner of Rush Running and leader of the Bentonville Half Marathon training group, invited all walkers, runners and cyclists to the normally-closed Saturday training for the half marathon group to address pedestrian safety.
Saturday run
Rush Running opened its Saturday morning half marathon training group run to the public for a #run4jennifer to remember Jennifer Bikel, who was killed by a car while running in Rogers Wednesday. The route was changed so there was less running near traffic.
Source: Staff report
The gathering was also in honor and remembrance of Jennifer Bikel, a local runner, who was killed Wednesday evening after being struck by a 2014 GMC Sierra as she was running past the Village on the Creeks shopping center on 52nd Street in Rogers. The sidewalk she was on is part of the Razorback Greenway.
The event held was at 7 a.m. and was moved from the Downtown Activity Center to the gym at First Baptist Church across Southwest A Street to accommodate the crowd that came. A few hundred people piled into the gym. Most stood or sat on the floor. Faces were solemn, tears were shed and noses sniffled throughout the room.
A large photo of Bikel and her twin sister sat at table where fellow runners could sign it. Bikel's sister, brother-in-law and parents sat at the table while Rush spoke.
"We've got to do something to promote awareness," he said, explaining how he's talked with the Police Department and city officials about what could be done to "prevent this from ever happening again."
Rush called for runners to be defensive when they run.
"You cannot trust a vehicle, ever," he said. "You have to make eye contact ... If you don't, stop. Go around. It's not worth it."
Runners need to set an example of how to drive when behind the wheel, he continued, encouraging people to always be aware of their surroundings and to slow down.
"The other person who was involved in this accident was a runner," Rush said, then paused. "It could happen to anyone."
Runners who get hit or clipped in any way should report it to the police, Rush said. It's important to have to the license plate number and a description of the car. It's even better to take a photo, if possible, he said.
Rush also encouraged runners to ask their respective mayors for more funding to raise awareness about pedestrian traffic and safety and also contact their state representatives to push for better laws that protect pedestrians. There's strength in numbers when contacting elected officials, he said.
"We need your voice," he said. "We need all of our voices to come together to make sure this doesn't happen again."
Bikel moved to Northwest Arkansas about two years ago, said Eve LeMaster, her friend. She was sweet, cheerful, always smiling and full of happiness.
LeMaster said she was glad for the call to action because it is tough to teach drivers to be aware of pedestrians. Most people don't know that pedestrians have the right of way in a crosswalk, she said.
"I hope the community can come together and act on it," she said. "What a beautiful tribute if we can make change for Jen."
NW News on 02/07/2016