Safer running for women and girls everywhere
We’re building the blueprint for community-led action on female running safety. We gather data, engage stakeholders, advocate solutions, and certify routes to address the unmet needs of millions of female runners.
About us
We are a global movement to make running safer, more enjoyable, and more accessible to women and girls.
We believe running should be a joy, not a risk, and no one should ever run scared. Our mission is to empower women and girls to run with confidence – and without fear – by improving public running spaces. We are using data-driven insights, stakeholder input, and local engagement to develop a framework and accreditation system for safer running environments. By generating evidence-based recommendations and advocating on behalf of female runners, we are working to transform their experiences and their trajectories.
Kate Tellier, Founder and Director
"I want to be an advocate for female athletes at all levels and bring the joy of running to more women and girls, wherever they are."
Why we’re doing it
EVERY RUNNER DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE
Running offers numerous benefits for women and girls, including improved health, increased confidence, and reduced stress. However, global surveys consistently show that most female runners feel unsafe – and that safety fears influence their decisions on when and where to run and, for some, whether they run at all.
are concerned for their safety when they go for a run (Adidas)
female runners in the U.S. and Europe alone (Running with Grit)
experience abuse while running (BBC)
changed their behaviour in some way as a consequence (Runner’s World)
A MULTI-FACETED PROBLEM REQUIRING A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION
Inadequate urban planning, insufficient community and authority engagement, and a lack of interventions addressing the root causes of harassment, are among the numerous factors driving this dynamic. And solutions are scarce – and almost entirely reactive.
Rather than remediating issues after they occur, Run Her Way is working to shift the focus to proactive, preventative strategies to create a world where women and girls can run without fear.
Running scared has run its course
We work with local champions to mobilize stakeholders and drive meaningful change in running environments. We are expanding our reach with pilot programs and partnerships in various locations and look forward to the impact we can drive together.
Our approach
Run Her Way takes a community-led approach to creating safer running environments for women and girls. Though there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are a number of common components that are crucial in addressing female running safety. It’s that understanding, along with our focus on engaging directly with female runners and the stakeholders who shape their experiences, that defines and differentiates our collaborative, evidence-based approach to driving change at scale.
User-led and data-driven
We prioritize the voices of female runners. Gathering data on running routes, incidents, and runner feedback allows us to analyze safety concerns, identify areas needing intervention, and deploy targeted solutions. This data-driven approach ensures that the real experiences of women guide our initiatives.
Government engagement
Partnering with government at all levels is essential to driving sustainable change. We provide local decision-makers with analytics and insights with the aim of securing the commitments required to implement our recommendations. We also advocate for policies to improve running safety, such as the criminalization of street harassment.
Law enforcement input
We are also focused on working closely with local law enforcement to ensure a thorough understanding of incident handling, reporting mechanisms, and response outcomes – and to identify champions who can advocate for safer running routes and collaborate on practical solutions.
Education and community intervention
Addressing the root causes of harassment and other forms of runner abuse is key to our mission. We are building partnerships with experts to deliver programs targeting these issues, as well as safety-enhancing initiatives such as bystander intervention training and self-defense. Community education and intervention fosters a safer and more supportive environment for female runners and is an important part of our approach.
Corporate and foundation partnerships
Corporate and foundation partners play a key role in funding and amplifying our initiatives. By aligning with organizations that share our vision, values, and social impact goals, we increase awareness and mobilize additional resources to advance our mission.
Involving the broader running community
Running brands, clubs, federations, event organizers, and influencers help raise awareness and support for our movement. Through joint initiatives, events, and campaigns, we aim to harness the collective power of the running community to drive meaningful change.
on a mission to help Her Run with confidence
Through our blueprint for 360° cooperation, we are working to create safer, more supportive running environments for women and girls everywhere.
Our programs and services
Insights:
A customized community engagement platform designed to help local governments, universities, businesses, and other organizations create safer running environments. This comprehensive program includes GIS surveys, data analysis and reporting, and an always-on map where runners can provide feedback. By providing a platform for female runners to share their needs and experiences, we aim to raise awareness of safety concerns and provide decision-makers with valuable evidence to implement effective solutions. We also contribute to a better understanding of the experiences of runners from diverse backgrounds.
Solutions:
Ultimately, our goal is to translate insights into action. We are building a suite of best practices, toolkits, and partner programs offering practical solutions to improve female running safety. Our ambition is to develop a route accreditation system in consultation with experts and based on the insights gathered through our projects, allowing for running environments to be evaluated and accredited based on a set of safety standards and guidelines.
To scale our impact, Run Her Way is developing an affiliate program aimed at enabling local champions, groups, or organizations to take an active role in creating a safer running environment in their communities. Stay tuned by following us or signing up for our newsletter.
Get involved
Running safety concerns are real and pervasive, affecting millions worldwide every day. Join us in fostering safer running environments, promoting gender equality, and building healthier, more inclusive communities. There are many ways you can help.
Pilot our program
We are looking for enthusiastic partners to help us implement our blueprint for female running safety. Are you a local government, running club, university, community organization, or business that wants to ensure safe running environments for women and girls? Join us in piloting our program.
Partner with us
Achieve your social impact goals through a Run Her Way partnership. We create tailored partnership packages for organizations that share our commitment to creating safer running environments for women and girls. Partner with us to fund and amplify our mission or share your expertise to help us develop bespoke solutions for the communities we serve.
Join our ambassador network
We are building a network of runners, elite athletes, and corporate leaders to support and promote Run Her Way initiatives. Our ambassadors help amplify our reach and impact. Join our network of influential voices in championing safer running environments for women and girls.
Fundraise for us
Support Run Her Way by becoming a fundraiser. Every donation helps us create safer running environments for women and girls. Get in touch to learn how to fundraise for Run Her Way.
Volunteer
Run Her Way relies on the support of dedicated volunteers. If you share a passion for our mission and have time and relevant skills to contribute, we would love to hear from you. Currently, we are recruiting a Treasurer to join our Board of Directors. In addition, we welcome support in grant writing, partnership development, and community outreach.
Ambassador spotlight
Bob de Jong, Olympic gold medalist and proud girl dad
Bob is a world-renowned athlete known for his outstanding achievements in long distance speed skating. He has won numerous world championships and an Olympic gold medal during his illustrious career. With over 22 years of competitive experience and six Olympic appearances, Bob is unquestionably one of the best endurance skaters in the world. He is also an avid runner and a proud girl dad.
“When I go for a run, it’s a simple process. I don’t think twice. I get dressed, lace up my shoes, and I’m off. I didn’t realize the severity and the scale of female running safety concerns. Is this for real, I wondered? It also never occurred to me that my Olympic colleagues might have to deal with these kinds of challenges in their training, in addition to trying to compete at the highest levels of sport. The research and speaking to many in the running world and in my own community opened my eyes. It's time we create safer environments where every woman and girl can run with the same confidence and freedom that I have always taken for granted."
