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Cyclists, walkers, and joggers gathered Wednesday at George Wyth State Park in Waterloo to "take back the trails" after a woman was attacked last week.

Police are still searching for the person they say attacked a woman inside the park, who campers found on a bike trail.

The Dirt Divas, a local running group, set up the event at the park.

Dirt Diva Jessica Cruz considers the bike trails her home.

"I moved here two years ago, not even knowing anyone in the state of Iowa even," she said.

The move to Iowa from Illinois was a change for Cruz, but it was the trails that made her feel like she had a place in Iowa.

So when she heard about the attack, she couldn't help but be scared.

"It was the initial, 'maybe we shouldn't (run here) maybe it's too dangerous, but then it's like no, I shouldn't be scared away from what I consider my playground,'" said Cruz.

So consider the run, the walk, the bike ride, the fight back.

"We don't hunker down and close our shutters, we band together and we show that we are all here together," said Cruz.

That's exactly what they did. More than 200 people all gathered in support of one woman, one cause, one survivor.

There was also a free will donation box at the event, proceeds going to Cedar Valley Friends of the Family.

The organization gives aid to victims of sexual violence and assault. Their website can be found here.


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