UPDATE: The woman recanted her story to police on Tuesday.

The woman told police she was out for a run at about 1:50 a.m. on Saturday morning when she was approached by a man who was walking toward her near the intersection of North 43rd Street and Linden Avenue North, police said.

The woman said she changed direction to avoid the man, but he grabbed her from behind and knocked her to the ground. She said the man tried to put his hand down her pants, and she elbowed him as hard as she could and screamed.

KIRO 7 talked with the woman on Monday, but she asked us not to broadcast the interview because police didn't want her to speak to the media.

The woman was able to fight the man off, and he ran toward Aurora Avenue North, police said.

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She called 911 and police showed up immediately, police said. Police searched the area with officers and a K-9 unit, but couldn't find the man, police said.

The woman said said she had bumps and bruises, but would otherwise be OK.

The woman told The Seattle Times that she had gone running because she couldn't sleep and said that the neighborhood had always been a safe place. She also said she thought there would be plenty of people around since bars in the area hadn't closed yet.

Police described the man as about 5 feet 9 inches tall with a muscular build, an olive complexion and a clean-shaven face. Police said he is about 30 years old and was wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

Police said the attack does not appear to have any connection to other attacks on female joggers that have occurred in or near Seattle parks in recent months.

Sexual assault detectives are following up on the investigation, police said. Anyone with any information is asked to call them at 206-684-5575.

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