The clocks are turning back on Sunday, creating more safety worries for London’s female runners. How will this impact their running schedules?
Everywhere you go in London, you will see people running.
With the rise of the ‘runfluencer’ on social media, members of Gen Z are running away from their problems.
From training for 5Ks to Ultra-marathons, more and more are putting on their Hokas and polishing their Oakleys to outrun one another.
Runners in Clapham
But with the nights rolling in and the clocks turning back, how will the safety of women be impacted when they exercise in the dark?
This is a question on many runners’ minds.
Runfluencer Holly-Rose, says she is concerned about her safety when running during the winter months.
“Since it’s got darker, I do think about it… I do think, someone, you know, could grab me or something.
I don’t like running at night… I don’t venture in the park.”
Cases like Sarah Everard have shocked Londoners into questioning their own security when walking along local streets.
Many women say they are taught from a young age to be vigilant of their surroundings.
According to Survation, 57% of women say they don’t feel safe on the streets of London, and 38% say they have received unwanted attention from a man whilst in public.
With TikTok telling us to get outside and the days getting shorter, more women are racing the clock to get their daily exercise.
But run clubs might just be the change in pace needed.
credit: adidas
Run clubs have been growing in popularity since the pandemic. You may have seen them advertised on your FYP or Instagram Reels as they take over with the ‘runstagram’ movement.
Building communities all around London, run clubs are giving people a place to socialise and enjoy exercise.
‘Running Late London’ organiser, Maheen Shariff, said with a much bigger crowd of people, her runners are “more likely to feel safe”.
She also emphasises these clubs are fun, encouraging, and motivating.
I took to the streets on Tuesday night at the Highgate Social Runners to see how safe I felt as a 22-year-old woman running in the dark.
Although the Heath was spooky, the community of friendly runners surrounding me eased my fears.
I can now understand how joining a club would make many women feel safer.
Highgate Social Runners Run Club
Londoners lone-Runners
Some like Holly-Rose say they “prefer running alone”, as did another woman that I spoke to at the run club. As long as they stay in well-lit areas, they feel safe running at their own pace.
London ladies, though you may be a lone runner it is nice to know that run clubs are out there.
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HeadlineRunning Out of Time: will the clocks turning back impact women’s safety?
Short HeadlineLondon Night Time Running — are run clubs in place to help women's safety?
StandfirstCan London ladies use run clubs to stay safe in the dark?
The clocks are turning back on Sunday, creating more safety worries for London’s female runners. How will this impact their running schedules?
Everywhere you go in London, you will see people running.
With the rise of the ‘runfluencer’ on social media, members of Gen Z are running away from their problems.
From training for 5Ks to Ultra-marathons, more and more are putting on their Hokas and polishing their Oakleys to outrun one another.
Runners in Clapham
But with the nights rolling in and the clocks turning back, how will the safety of women be impacted when they exercise in the dark?
This is a question on many runners’ minds.
Runfluencer Holly-Rose, says she is concerned about her safety when running during the winter months.
“Since it’s got darker, I do think about it… I do think, someone, you know, could grab me or something.
I don’t like running at night… I don’t venture in the park.”
Cases like Sarah Everard have shocked Londoners into questioning their own security when walking along local streets.
Many women say they are taught from a young age to be vigilant of their surroundings.
According to Survation, 57% of women say they don’t feel safe on the streets of London, and 38% say they have received unwanted attention from a man whilst in public.
With TikTok telling us to get outside and the days getting shorter, more women are racing the clock to get their daily exercise.
But run clubs might just be the change in pace needed.
credit: adidas
Run clubs have been growing in popularity since the pandemic. You may have seen them advertised on your FYP or Instagram Reels as they take over with the ‘runstagram’ movement.
Building communities all around London, run clubs are giving people a place to socialise and enjoy exercise.
‘Running Late London’ organiser, Maheen Shariff, said with a much bigger crowd of people, her runners are “more likely to feel safe”.
She also emphasises these clubs are fun, encouraging, and motivating.
I took to the streets on Tuesday night at the Highgate Social Runners to see how safe I felt as a 22-year-old woman running in the dark.
Although the Heath was spooky, the community of friendly runners surrounding me eased my fears.
I can now understand how joining a club would make many women feel safer.
Highgate Social Runners Run Club
Londoners lone-Runners
Some like Holly-Rose say they “prefer running alone”, as did another woman that I spoke to at the run club. As long as they stay in well-lit areas, they feel safe running at their own pace.
London ladies, though you may be a lone runner it is nice to know that run clubs are out there.
