This text is based on interviews conducted with and by female-identifying runners in different age groups and locations.
A special thank you to Caroline, Cosima, Diana and Lucy.
Lots of female-identifying-persons (FIP) navigate the terrain of nighttime running with a mix of caution and personal empowerment. Growing up as a FIP, you’re often taught and conditioned on how to move about the world. Especially in the dark it means to be careful - not just in the situation itself, but also in preparation and in hindsight.
For many FIP, running in the dark is linked to precautions, discomforts, and societal pressures that influence their decisions and behaviours.
Whether it’s about your route choice or what you’re wearing, whether you can run your favourite trail or search out the safety of street lights, whether you’re listening to music or running in silence. There’s many thoughts that make running in the dark a thing. It’s the questions you have to ask yourself—questions for which both answers seem wrong.
Should you wear colours to be visible or is it better not to be seen?
If you opt for colours, will that unwanted reactions such as sexualization, catcalling, or comments from others?
If you decide against colours, does that make you an easier target?
Adding the element of darkness can cause alertness. For some, this might mean to carry a small alarm or pepper spray, just to be safe. Pepper spray for your personal peace of mind.
Running in the dark means calling a friend while running. Or telling your roommates to be worried in case you don’t come back in an hour. Or sharing your live location so people can check if you’re ok. Or not sharing your route on Strava because you’re afraid someone might find out. Or asking yourself if you should postpone until tomorrow, even if your after work run was supposed to be the highlight of your day.
It’s all these thoughts that make running in the dark a thing, even though it shouldn’t be.
It should only be about running, about enjoying yourself. It should create freedom and peace of mind. Of course there are FIP who feel safe, FIP who decide not to care. Some are fine seeking areas that are teeming with people, others run in groups.
But for most, there’s aspects that make running in the dark difficult, even though they love it in the light.