Runner's World (UK)

EDITOR’S LETTER

- ANDY DIXON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @RW_ed_Andy

I’M FULLY AWARE that, as a man, I have it easy as a runner. I have the privilege of not having to think about where or when I run. I don’t have to consider whether it’s dark outside or if my route goes through isolated areas. Women runners should be able to feel equally at ease when they run, but they don’t. They can’t.

In a new survey of over 2,000 runners by Runner’s World and Women’s Health, 60 per cent of women said they had been harassed while running, while 25 per cent were subjected to sexist comments or sexual advances. These are disturbing figures, especially because, since we last reported on the problem of the harassment of female runners, in 2017, there has been no change for the better. In fact, there are signs things became worse during lockdown. Many women expect to be heckled or harassed on the run, and that should appal us all – particular­ly men, as we are the cause of it. The problem goes far wider than running, of course, but we need to do all we can to effect change.

That’s why, together with WH, we’re launching the Reclaim Your Run campaign – to support making public sexual harassment a crime and to raise awareness, so that all runners can be allies to ensure women have the same kind of safe running environmen­t men take for granted. Turn to page 29 to find out more, and let’s try to make a better runners’ world for all.

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