Running News Daily

14-Year-Old Track Star Chases Down a Purse Thief Riding a Bike

She holds some of the fastest 200-meter and 400-meter times for a 14-year-old in her county.

On Wednesday, Clara Adams, a 14-year-old track star from Salinas, California, ran after a purse thief riding a BMX bike. 

The purse belonged to Nikki Gillott, a family friend attending the birthday party of David Adams, Clara’s father. Gillott screamed when she noticed her bag was missing, and Clara took off running toward the man. “I saw this guy with a bunch of stuff. When I looked, I saw (Gillott’s) purse,” Clara told 

Clara, who ran the fourth fastest time in Monterey County history during last month’s 200-meter event at the Junior Olympics, was uniquely qualified to run down the stolen item. “I got into my 200-meter mood and ran toward him,” she said. “I just grabbed the purse from him and left.”

Gillott’s purse contained her iPad and camera, so she was relieved to get it back. “I can’t run because of my stroke,” said Gillott, who ran high school and college track. “[Clara] was so brave,” she added. “She is a champion with her heart. It was a huge act of bravery. But I told her, ‘Don’t ever do that again.’”

David kept an eye on his daughter when she sprinted after the man. “Oh, I had my eyes on her once just she took off,” he said. “I began to approach them. But she came back so fast. At that point, I just tried to minimize the drama. We got lucky.”

Clara says it felt instinctual to go after the stolen items. “It happened so fast,” she said. “It just seemed like the right thing to do. Nikki was so happy and excited. She gave me a big hug.” She spent the summer running on the Central Coast Cheetahs Track Club and continues to set country records for her age group.