If you are a woman, you may have been followed while jogging or, if not, you likely know someone who has. This experience is often unsettling and can make someone question the safety of their usual running route. Among friends the typical advice is to “turn up a side street” or “carry mace.” While this advice can be useful, sometimes it is not enough; especially if your livelihood depends on running.
Olympic runner Emily Infeld knows firsthand that changing your route or implementing security protections can be insufficient. Infeld was stalked by a stranger for three-years. The stress of her stalker’s threats and harassment ultimately contributed to Infeld’s failure to qualify for the Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympics.[1]
Craig Donnelly, Infeld’s stalker, first contacted her in April of 2018, but he was not arrested until June of 2021.[2] Donnelly then plead guilty to violating an interstate protection order.[3] In September of this year, Donnelly was sentenced time served and three-years of supervised release.[4] Donnelly is prohibited from communicating with Infeld.[5] After more than five years, Infeld finally has some closure. Yet, her story is frightening to any woman.
In 2018, Infeld, a Nike sponsored runner, was hitting her stride in preparing for Tokyo 2021.[6] Also in 2018, Donnelly became obsessed with Infeld.[7] Donnelly is a retired college runner.[8] While on a run in 2016, he suffered an epileptic seizure which caused him to fall and hit his head.[9] Donnelly required brain surgery and was permanently disabled.[10]
Donnelly was always well-liked by friends and family. Post-injury, he was known to make outlandish statements and was described by a former teammate as unable to process complicated emotions.[11] He struggled with mental issues and was in and out of medical facilities.[12] Donnelly also became a frequent social media user. He regularly posted about women he claimed to be in a relationship with.[13]
Donnelly first messaged Infeld on Facebook where he claimed to be a USA Track and Field coach.[14] After more than a month of receiving his messages, Infeld asked Donnelly to stop contacting her and blocked him.[15] Donnelly began calling Infeld and often referenced “their” wedding plans.[16] In July of 2018, he emailed Infeld saying that rings and a suit would be arriving in the mail and that he would be flying to Portland for their wedding ceremony.[17] Infeld rejected the packages, installed security cameras, and went out of town that weekend.[18] She then obtained a stalking protective order and did not hear from Donnelly for almost a year and a half.[19]
Donnelly resurfaced in February of 2020 when Infeld was competing at Boston University in preparation for the Olympic trials.[20] Donnelly posted on Instagram claiming that he had been Infeld’s coach, that they had been married and divorced, and that Infeld owed him money.[21] Infeld ran a personal best that day with an Olympic qualifying time.[22]
Craig Donnelly was unrelenting. In June of 2020, he rented an apartment 2 miles from Infeld’s house and posted on LinkedIn that he was coming to Portland to kill her.[23] Infeld left town, hoping the police would arrest Donnelly (they did not arrest him until nearly a year later). In July of 2020, Nike asked her to return to Oregon to race.[24]
Emily Infeld did return to Oregon, but she initially rented an Airbnb because she was still too afraid to go home.[25] As she prepared for Tokyo 2021, Infeld avoided running alone, carried mace, and stayed close to home.[26] These fixes seem positive, but were detrimental to her distance running career. A year later, during the same month Donnelly was arrested, Infeld failed to qualify for Tokyo 2021.[27]
Infeld now has her sights set on Paris 2024. While Donnelly remained in custody after his arrest, he has now been released. Hopefully Infeld can put the past few years behind her, but surely his release has been difficult for her.
Infeld is a professional runner with nearly 100,000 Instagram followers, yet, her story is relatable to many and highlights common fears held by the more than half of the U.S. population. Whether they are on a run or are walking home from a night out with friends, women know they need to stay on alert. This is a sad reality, but Infeld’s story can serve as a reminder to check-in on friends and be there for them when they need it.
The social media aspect of Infeld’s case also raises question about how much information should be shared on the internet, and with whom. The younger generation is seemingly comfortable with sharing many personal details on social media. Infeld is now extremely careful about what she shares on the internet, and her story is a good reason to think twice about what information is shared on the social media.
Image Credit: Amanda Lucier for ESPN
[1] https://people.com/sports/former-olympian-emily-infeld-tells-espn-tokyo-dreams-were-taken-away-from-her-by-a-stalker/
[2] https://people.com/sports/former-olympian-emily-infeld-tells-espn-tokyo-dreams-were-taken-away-from-her-by-a-stalker/
[3] https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/38463516/craig-donnelly-accused-stalking-olympian-sentenced
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/31817769/olympic-runner-emily-infeld-harrowing-three-year-ordeal-stalker
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10]Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Id.
[13] Id.
[14] Id.
[15] Id.
[16] Id.
[17] Id.
[18] Id.
[19] Id.
[20] Id.
[21] Id.
[22] Id.
[23] Id.
[24] Id.
[25] Id.
[26] Id.
[27] Id.
3L at the University at Buffalo School of Law
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