Missoula police, Runner's Edge, and Run Wild Montana are teaming up to teach a safety course for runners on Monday night.

Run Wild Employee Vicky Mix said the class was inspired by how often runner's safety issues have been in the news this year, especially with the murder of Sherry Arnold, the Montana teacher abducted during a run in January.

Just last night, Missoula police arrested a man for groping a woman who was walking downtown.

Officials say that, overall, these kind of instances are rare, but it's still important to be prepared.

"Always being more educated is a good thing,? said Mix. ?You may never need to know those things or have to use them, but it's always good to have them in the back of your mind, so if that situation ever comes up for you, you are better prepared."

The free class is scheduled for Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Loft in downtown Missoula.