Hundreds of women runners join calls for change and safety improvements while running at night

Last night, the streets of Manchester lit up with a powerful message.

A flagship “Let’s Lift the Curfew” run, organised by the campaign This Girl Can, brought hundreds of local women together to reclaim their right to feel safe when exercising outdoors after dark.

In a spectacular display, UV-lit footsteps appeared on the pavements, each one glowing with words that captured the all-too-familiar fears of women—vulnerable, anxious, afraid—turning the city’s pathways into a shared experience and a call for change.

This Girl Can

The event was part of a nationwide push, with over 100 similar runs across the UK, aimed at challenging the “curfew” that fear and darkness impose on women’s freedom to move safely outdoors during winter.

New research from This Girl Can revealed that an alarming 72% of women adjust their outdoor routines in the winter months due to safety concerns, a figure that has spiked by 26% since last year.

The movement is urging action across five key areas to create lasting change in the way women experience our streets and public spaces.

As the clocks go back, women across Manchester are forced to weigh up their own safety against their health and well-being, making compromises in their routines that men don’t often face.

Safety while running

The data tells a powerful story: nearly a quarter of women now stick to well-lit routes only, avoid certain areas entirely, or feel compelled to constantly check their surroundings while out running, walking, or cycling.

Kate Dale, Director of Marketing at Sport England and the driving force behind This Girl Can, spoke to us about the urgent need for action: “Women should have the freedom to run, walk, or cycle without the fear of what might happen in the dark.

“Yet many feel they have no choice but to change their routines or avoid exercising outdoors when the sun goes down. This isn’t just inconvenient – it’s an injustice.

“We are in the midst of a national crisis when it comes to women’s safety, and this movement is a call to action for everyone: women, men, allies, and organisations alike.”

Becky Walker’s experience

For thirty-six-year-old Becky Walker, running in Manchester has always been about more than just physical exercise.

When she co-founded runtheworldMCR during the pandemic, her goal was to create a space where women could stay active and connected—but above all, feel safe.

What started as a small group quickly grew into a thriving community of women from all walks of life, united by a shared commitment to health, safety, and empowerment.

“When we started, running was booming because of lockdown,” Becky recalled.

“Now, even after the world has opened back up, we’ve grown exponentially. It’s clear that women need places where they feel secure while exercising, especially as we head into winter.”

With nearly 200 members in their WhatsApp group, runtheworldMCR serves as a support network as much as a fitness club. From young professionals to mothers, the group welcomes women of all ages and abilities, helping them stay active without having to compromise on safety.

This sense of community is underscored by the group’s emphasis on safety protocols. Each run is led by a front and back leader, ensuring that no woman is left behind.

Reflective vests and high-visibility gear are mandatory for evening runs, and Becky carefully plans routes along well-lit streets, avoiding isolated or unlit areas.

“We stick to well-lit streets in winter and avoid places that just don’t feel safe, like parks or canals that are fine in the summer but not when it’s dark,” she explained.

“It can get a little monotonous running the same route, but it’s a compromise we make for our safety.”

You can find out more about runtheworldMCR by clicking here

Manchester night runs

The Manchester run brought together local partners including Greater Manchester Moving and England Athletics, who have shown strong support for the Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign.

Together with participants, these groups are rallying for more inclusive, safer outdoor spaces and calling for greater allyship from all sectors.

Attendees were inspired by the glowing messages underfoot, with many expressing a renewed sense of unity and determination.

How to stay safe running at night

This Girl Can is advocating for systemic change in five key areas that they believe will make outdoor activity safer and more accessible for women across the nation.

These include raising cultural awareness of safety issues, building educational initiatives that promote respect and allyship, improving safety-focused urban planning, and establishing robust reporting frameworks to tackle misogynistic behaviour in all environments.

Together with partners and allies, This Girl Can hope to close the “activity gap” that disproportionately affects women.

The organisers are calling on the public to join the cause and take part in runs around the country.

The message is clear: change must come, and women deserve the right to enjoy their city, their health, and their communities freely and without fear.

For those inspired to join or organise their own Let’s Lift the Curfew event, This Girl Can offers resources and guidance at This Girl Can’s website by clicking here

Let’s make Manchester—and every city—safer, one step at a time.