Woman runner tackled in Loudoun County assault

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Loudoun County authorities are looking for a man who assaulted a runner in the Lansdowne area early Thursday morning.

The female victim was jogging in the area of Riverside Parkway and Kipheart Drive around 5:45 a.m. when the suspect tackled her to the ground, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. The woman was able to fight off the man and run to a passerby who drove her home.

Meanwhile, Leesburg police are investigating the assault of a jogger in the area of Ida Lee Park along North King Street around 6:10 a.m. Wednesday. While the cases are similar, authorities are not saying whether the two incidents are linked.

Runners are being encouraged to check their surroundings and to jog with others, preferably during the day.