Shorter days exposes the dark reality

As we brace for shorter days and darker nights, many Australians also have their eyes on an insane prize: marathon season. It’s the time of year when the Nikes are laced, the pavement is pounded and tens of thousands prepare to run for finish line glory.

I am hurtling towards 30, so, of course, something has short-circuited in my brain and made me decide it’s finally time to take up running.

I’m not alone – running soared in popularity as the pandemic closed regular gyms, and half-marathons and marathons have seen record participation across the globe.

For the more neurotic among us (guilty as charged), running allows an opportunity to switch off, breathe in fresh air and focus on a singular goal to slow the mental noise.

Most half-marathon training plans require 3-4 runs per week, at least two of which are an hour to two-hour slog.

For most men, this means strapping on a head torch and setting off. For many women, trans and nonbinary folk, this means fear. Do I need to change my route? Where will it be best lit? Are there others around? Should I go at all? Will I be killed?

While many men express sympathy over the night-running plight, there are still a few who will tell you to “grow up”, or tell you the threat isn’t that serious.

But this fear is not foolish. On February 4, 51-year-old mother of three Samantha Murphy laced up her sneakers for her daily run in Ballarat. She would never finish her route, allegedly murdered by 22-yearold Patrick Stephenson.

Every year, we tell the stories of women walking home, exercising, meeting friends or getting fresh air before being killed by strangers.

When comedian Eurydice Dixon was raped and murdered walking home from a gig in Melbourne in 2018, Victoria Police Superintendent David Clayton said women needed to have “situational awareness” and be cautious of their surroundings.

Women are already aware. Every woman I know avoids unlit areas, ditches headphones, wears hi-vis clothing, or carries their phone with an emergency contact on speed-dial.

In 2023, an Adidas survey revealed 92 per cent of women felt concerned for their safety while running; 51 per cent feared being physically attacked.

A similar study by Runner’s World found 60 per cent of women had been harassed while they ran; 6 per cent of those had feared for their lives.

Yes, we could run at the gym. Yes, we could stick only to well-lit public roads and pound the pavement beside roaring traffic. But we shouldn’t have to.

All we want is to strap on a head torch and go – and men are the only ones who can make that happen.