About Us

While we are proud of RunBuddy, it pains us that it must exist.

Because violence against female joggers exists. Hit & runs exist. Heart attacks on lonely roads exist. We would have loved to champion an app that was already available and offered the running/riding community robust protection at an economical cost. But shockingly, none existed.

That’s why RunBuddy exists.

In 2017, three women were murdered within days of each other while out for their jog. As good stewards of the distance running community, we were angered. We were compelled to do something material that would make the sport we love safer and more enjoyable. RunBuddy is our answer.

RunBuddy is designed to keep you connected to your friends and loved ones during your independent exercise. Your “Buddies” will know when you begin an activity, when you end, see your location in real time, and if an alert is triggered – the people you know and trust the most are there to check on you.

Privacy is hyper-important to all of us. With RunBuddy, you chose who you want to oversee your exercise and when. Furthermore, you are not a product. Your data is not shared with any 3rd parties.

We believe that this level of safety should be available to as many people as possible. That’s why RunBuddy is free to download – allowing anyone with a smartphone to be a “Buddy”. To access the alert features, the annual subscription is only $9.99.

We hope RunBuddy brings peace of mind to loved ones and provides people with a safer experience during their walk, run, or ride.

Onward!

-Ruthie, Kelly, and Scott – RunBuddy Co-Founders

Ruthie Sutter

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

While Ruthie is an avid runner today, she found the sport well after graduating from St. Michael’s College. She can pinpoint the moment exactly – the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials, as she watched Amy Cragg selflessly support Shalane Flanagan through their final miles of the race. Ruthie is the brainchild of RunBuddy. During a springtime run in the forest near her home in 2018, she conceptualized a smartphone app that would send out an immediate message if she was in trouble or worried. Her vision continues to steer the evolution of RunBuddy. In addition to RunBuddy, Ruthie also owns an art studio based in Somers, CT – where she lives with her husband Scott, their two children, and two dogs.

Kelly Herron

Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer

As a runner who was brutally attacked while out for a run, Kelly has an unenviable perspective on runner safety. Through her Not Today project, Kelly openly shares her story of fight and survival – in an effort to prepare the running community for such a worst-case scenario by cultivating a foundation of self-defense and warrior mindset. She is regularly featured at speaking engagements and in publications, including Runner’s World, Women’s Running, and People. Because of all of this, as well as being a fellow activist runner and passionate thought leader, Kelly brings unparalleled guidance to RunBuddy. Kelly and her husband John live in Spring Lake, NJ.

Scott Sutter

Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer

Scott is a serial entrepreneur. Getting a new company off the ground and profitable is familiar territory. Perhaps that’s why he landed this role at RunBuddy. But more likely, it’s because his wife is the CEO. Scott is a long-time runner. He wrapped up his competitive career in 2001, after four years as a Division 1 scholarship runner for The Citadel; The Military College of South Carolina. As a hobby, he is both a race timer and director. His races have raised tens of thousands of dollars non-profits and continue to give runners a safe place to gather and run. Scott was also the spearhead for the development of a cross country course for their local high school. Since 2010, Scott owns a commercial insurance brokerage based in Worcester, MA.