What should you do if someone does not come back from a run?
Try to reach them, check their live location if they shared one, and go to the last place they were seen if it's close and safe. If you can't find or reach them and you believe they may be hurt or in danger, call 911. You don't have to wait 24 hours: California's Attorney General states there is no waiting period to report a missing person, and California police must accept a missing person report without delay.
A checklist for the next hour
01Write down the facts before you panic
Note when they left, the route they mentioned, when they should have been back, what they were wearing, and whether they took a phone. You'll need all of this for the police, and writing it down steadies your thinking.
02Call them and check their messages
Call twice, a minute or two apart, and send a message. Check whether they messaged anyone else, posted a run, or left a note. Ask anyone they might have met up with.
03Look at the live link or last known location
If they shared a live location, it may show exactly where they are or where their phone last had signal. With Holler, the last known location stays visible even if their battery died. Our guide on what to do if your runner stops moving explains how to read the map.
04Retrace the route if you can do it safely
Drive or walk their route, starting from the last known location, with someone else if possible. Check paths, park edges and road shoulders. If you find them hurt, call 911 immediately.
05Call 911 and share everything you wrote down
Give the dispatcher their name, age, description, route, the time they left and should have returned, any medical conditions, and the last known location with its time. Stay reachable afterward. The guide on when to call 911 if someone is overdue covers the details.
Related questions
How long should I wait before calling the police?
There's no required waiting period. The right time depends on the signs: no answer, a stopped location, darkness, extreme weather, or a medical condition all justify calling sooner. If you believe they're in danger, call now.
What will the dispatcher ask me?
Expect questions about who the person is, their age and description, what they were wearing, where they were going, when they left and were due back, any medical conditions, and whether they have a phone. If they shared a live link, tell the dispatcher the last known location and the time it was last updated, and offer to read out the street or trail name nearest the dot.
What if they turn up while police are looking?
Call back and let them know straight away. No one will be annoyed. Most overdue runners are found safe, and responders would rather be told early.
How can we avoid this situation next time?
Agree on a routine: a shared live link, a named route and a return time. If they set a return time in Holler and haven't checked in five minutes after it, you get an overdue alert automatically. A missed alert then becomes the clear signal to start the steps above.
Should I go looking alone at night?
Only if you can do it safely. Take a charged phone, a light and ideally another person, and tell someone where you're going. Don't put yourself at risk on a dark road shoulder or an unlit trail; calling 911 and letting responders search is the better choice when conditions are poor.
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Sources, checked September 2026: California Department of Justice: Missing persons.
More safety answers, or see the safety guides.