Ripon Runners is to host a community run later this month to highlight the safety concerns that can prevent women from exercising outdoors after dark.
The club is supporting Let’s Lift the Curfew, a national movement from This Girl Can, for a second consecutive year.
The event will take place at Ripon Rugby Club on Tuesday 27th October at 6.30pm, with a variety of runs for different abilities, all led by women.
The event is open to everyone and aims to bring the local community together to show solidarity and highlight the barriers many women face when exercising outdoors after dark.
Let’s Lift the Curfew launched in 2023 and has evolved into a national movement, with an annual campaign moment when the clocks go back. Now in its third year, the campaign aims to amplify women’s stories, promote allyship and raise awareness of the issues that can prevent many women from being active outdoors during the autumn and winter, including poor lighting and fear of harassment.
Kate Dale, Director of Marketing at Sport England and This Girl Can
Every winter, many women are forced to adjust their routines, avoid certain routes or stop being active outdoors altogether – not because they want to, but because they don’t feel safe. It is a societal failure that women changing their behaviour is normalised, rather than changing the behaviour of those that make them feel unsafe. Let’s Lift the Curfew is about calling that out and demanding better.
Sarah Jones, Membership Secretary at Ripon Runners
If like me you’ve ever felt nervous about running in the dark, or simply want to support a worthy cause, then do come along and join us. As women actually make up more than half of our club membership, this cause is very close to our hearts – and after the success of last year’s night run, we had no hesitation in supporting Let’s Lift the Curfew again. The run is open to all genders and abilities, and you’ll be very warmly welcomed.
If you would like to participate, please contact membership@riponrunners.org.uk in advance so you can be directed to the most appropriate group to run with on the night.
Event details
What: Community Night Run
When: Tuesday 27th October at 6.30pm
Where: Ripon Rugby Club, Mallorie Park Drive, Ripon, HG4 2QD
Who: Open to all
Contact/more info: membership@riponrunners.org.uk