A WOMAN was grabbed by the throat as she rode her bike along a path while keeping an eye on members of her running club.

Joanne Colby, 41, from Southend, was out with Essex Ladies Running Club when she was attacked near Southend Airport.

Joanne was out on her bike to lead the group as she is suffering from a running injury, and was checking on members on the five-mile route from Southend Airport to Nazareth House, in London Road, Southend.

As they came to Harp House roundabout, between Rochford Road and Eastwoodbury Crescent, Joanne crossed the road to the opposite path and moved on to the grass verge when a man coming the other way grabbed her by the throat and started screaming at her.

She said: “I thought he was going to headbutt me.

“He got right in my face and was screaming and swearing at me – telling me to get on the road.

“My knees went to jelly and I quickly got away from him.

“He kept shouting abuse at me as I rode off.

“I cycled into the car park and by then a couple of the first runners came back.”

Joanne said she didn’t understand why she was attacked as she is courteous on her bicycle and her club members wear lights and flashing armbands.

She is warning other runners to be aware as training for the running season gets under way.

She added: “When I got home that night, I did have trouble sleeping and I kept thinking was I in the wrong?

“There is so much targeting of running clubs.

“We encounter it more and more these days, people trying to block us when we are running and sticking their foot out.

“People shout nasty things.

We don’t deserve the abuse we get. We don’t want to get in the way of people.”

The attack took place at about 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Joggers are warned about thieves targeting their vehicles in car parks

THE attack comes as joggers are also warned about car thieves targeting running clubs.

Crooks are using crowbars or smashing through windows to steal from vehicles at popular running spots.

It is believed they visit locations where running clubs visit and as members set off, they seize their opportunity, knowing the owners will be away for at least 30 minutes.

Mark Dobson, who runs Leigh Striders, said a couple of his members were victims last week after they had parked their cars along Chalkwell seafront.

In a letter shown to the Echo, he said the club was now having to ensure there was a presence in parking areas at all times, for the first time in 14 years, to prevent further break-ins.

June Cook, of Southend Athletics Club, said: “You should be able to leave things in your car safe in the knowledge that when you come back everything will be as it was.

“This has happened in Priory Park and Chalkwell Park and I urge people to remove valuables from their cars.”