At JoinTheRun, we believe running should be open to everyone, any pace, any place, any time. But for too many women and girls, that freedom changes when the sun goes down.
That’s why we’re proud to support This Girl Can’s “Let’s Lift the Curfew” campaign, a nationwide movement calling for safer, more inclusive spaces for women and girls to be active after dark.
What “Let’s Lift the Curfew” Means
As daylight hours shrink, many women find themselves quietly adjusting their routines; running earlier, sticking to certain routes, or avoiding outdoor activity altogether.
This invisible “curfew” isn’t imposed by law, but by fear and social norms.
Research from This Girl Can shows:
- 72% of women change their exercise habits during winter.
- Nearly 1 in 4 avoid certain areas completely.
- 20% say they regularly look behind them while active outdoors after dark.
This is not just inconvenient, it’s an inequality. The freedom to move safely shouldn’t depend on the time of day.
A Movement for Change
“Let’s Lift the Curfew” is about more than awareness. It’s a call to action for everyone; communities, councils, sports organisations, and individuals, to make meaningful change.
The campaign focuses on five key areas:
- Culture – Challenging attitudes that normalise fear and restricting women’s freedom.
- Reporting – Improving how safety issues and harassment are addressed.
- Planning – Designing public spaces with women’s safety in mind.
- Data – Sharing insight and research to guide better decisions.
- Community – Working together to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe outdoors.
From night runs in Manchester to parliamentary roundtables in Westminster, Let’s Lift the Curfew has already sparked powerful conversations, and action.
Why JoinTheRun Supports the Campaign
Running after dark should be as normal as running in daylight.
Every woman should feel confident to lace up, step outside, and enjoy the movement she loves, without fear or compromise.
At JoinTheRun, we’re committed to creating safe, visible, and inclusive running spaces.
By supporting Let’s Lift the Curfew, we’re amplifying the message that the “curfew” on women’s activity must end, for good.
We’ll be working with our community to:
- Promote evening and winter group runs designed with safety in mind.
- Encourage buddy systems and well-lit routes for local running groups.
- Share women’s stories about their experiences of running after dark.
- Advocate for better lighting and safer infrastructure in parks and public spaces.
How You Can Help Lift the Curfew
Whether you’re a runner, organiser, or supporter, you can help make a difference:
Join or host a night run — reclaim the streets and show strength in numbers.
Start the conversation — talk about safety openly in your running community.
Share your stories — post your experiences with #LiftTheCurfew and tag @JoinTheRunUK.
Engage locally — ask your council about lighting, path safety, and park maintenance.
Every action, big or small, helps lift the curfew and make our running spaces safer and more inclusive.
Together, We Can Lift the Curfew
Running is about freedom, confidence, and joy. No one should have to sacrifice that because of fear or darkness.
We stand with This Girl Can and every organisation pushing for a future where all women and girls can be active, at any hour.
Let’s lift the curfew. Together.
Learn more about the campaign: This Girl Can – Let’s Lift the Curfew
