Welsh Athletics Own the Night campaign returns for 2026
The Welsh Athletics campaign, Own the Night, which won Most Influential Campaign at the 2026 WSA Sports Industry Awards, will be relaunched from Thursday 1 October to continue raising awareness and empowering women across Wales when it comes to running when it’s dark.
Women’s running across Wales is at an all-time high, with more females than ever before regularly lacing up their trainers to enter mass participation races, join clubs and groups, or to simply run for their physical and mental wellbeing.
However, it’s been well documented that women’s participation levels in the winter months (particularly in running) decrease due to the darker nights and a nervousness to run in unlit, unsafe locations. According to This Girl Can research, almost three quarters (72%) of women in the UK change their activity behaviour during the winter months and “one in four (24%) ensure to take well-lit routes, almost a quarter (23%) avoid certain areas altogether and one in five (20%) glance behind them to ensure they’re not being followed”.
Adding to this is a recent report by Our Streets that finds that 93% of those surveyed experienced some form of public sexual harassment while running.
There is clearly work that needs to be done to ensure that running and physical activity is accessible and safe for all that want to participate.
The Own the Night was launched to:
- Raise awareness of women’s safety concerns when running at night or early mornings.
- Empower women to continue running through the winter months with confidence.
- Educate the wider public and running communities on allyship and practical ways to support women.
- ‘Reclaim the streets’ – encourage groups and clubs across Wales to host a group run on Sunday 25 October, the day the clocks go back.
Through the campaign, Welsh Athletics has called on Government to:
- Create safer environments through well-lit routes for runners and those wishing to be active during the winter, prioritising running and walking routes in the Active Travel Plan.
- Work with partners and key stakeholders to create an inclusive environment that embeds allyship into women’s safety
- Ensure sport and physical activity are core components of the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) strategy.
This year, there is an added focus on allyship and action, with allies encouraged to pledge to support the campaign and opportunities to upskill themselves via one of three Lead the Change workshops being held throughout the campaign.
Be the Light is about turning that awareness into action.
Delivered in partnership with Lead The Change Wales, the campaign calls on allies, clubs, organisations and communities to make small, practical changes to their behaviour that can make a real difference to how safe someone feels when running alone.
You can learn more about the campaigns, how to get involved, and the workshops here,
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