A woman has been dressing up as a man to run at night since Donald Trump won the election and says it makes her feel safer.
Claire Wyckoff, 44, was tired of restricting herself to running during the day, so she started looking for ways to feel safer at night.
After watching her husband enjoy his evening jog, the pair decided Claire should try dressing up as a man.
Claire ordered a fake mustache, tattoo sleeves, a wig and men’s gym clothes and tried it on.
She quickly noticed the difference and says that when she dresses as a man, no one approaches her or calls her the same way.
Claire shows the situation in videos she posts online, but she says it’s “the first time I’ve felt comfortable running alone outside at night.”
Claire, a comedy writer based in Richmond, Virginia, said: “This experiment has revolutionized my ability to run at night.
“I like to make comedic videos about this whole thing to lighten the mood, but this is really born out of something pretty scary.”
Claire has been running for years, but she says she’s never felt safe running alone at night.
Claire said: “I’ve been a runner for nearly 20 years now, having taken part in a half marathon in 2008 and then enjoying it more as casual exercise since then, but this is the first time I’ve felt comfortable running alone outside at night.
“I was so sick of hearing my husband say how much he loved his evening runs, so we came up with this idea together and ordered some facial hair, a wig and tattoo sleeves to complete the look.
“Of course, I’m not exactly sure if people believe I’m a real man, but that doesn’t really matter because the bottom line remains the same.”
Claire says she noticed the difference immediately.
Claire said: “I immediately noticed that no one was approaching me and I wasn’t worried about men shouting at me from their verandas.
“I honestly felt like a superhero or like Mario when he gets the star of invincibility. I just felt infinitely more confident.”
Claire thinks Trump’s victory was a significant step back for women’s safety in America, and being out alone at night is something most women are avoiding at all costs.
She said: “When Trump won and the phrase ‘Your body, my choice’ was going around, I suddenly felt very concerned about my safety in public, especially after dark.
“I’m aware of women who form running groups so they can go out in larger numbers together later at night, but I wanted to take it a step further.
“I thought if men have all the rights ‘why don’t you try acting like a man’ and it seemed to have worked.”
Claire plans to continue this effort with new costume pieces already on their way to her.
Claire said: “I’ve already got a goat coming in the next few days and I’ve been looking to order some chest hair.
“This whole experiment has made me more excited to run again.
“I feel like I get to experience it from a whole new perspective and have fun doing it.”
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Image Source : nypost.com