Let's Lift the Curfew 2026: Supporting women to be active after dark

Let's Lift the Curfew is the national movement from Sport England's This Girl Can, shining a light on the challenges many women face when being active outdoors after dark.

In 2026, running clubs, RunTogether groups and communities across England came together to make a powerful statement of support, helping raise awareness, spark conversations and create welcoming opportunities for women to be active throughout the darker months. Let's take a look at the impact of this year's campaign:

21,340 participants

A record number of people took part in Let's Lift the Curfew activities across the country with England Athletics. That’s 58% growth year-on-year.

598 clubs and groups involved

Running clubs, RunTogether groups and community organisations united behind the campaign with Let's Lift the curfew activities taking place across England.

You can still register your runs here.

733 pieces of media coverage

Across broadcast, TV, print and digital channels, the campaign achieved a potential audience reach of more than 288 million people and significantly amplifying the campaign's message nationwide. Its message resonated far beyond the running community.

This exposure helped highlight the experiences of women across the country and brought national attention to the importance of making physical activity feel accessible, welcoming and inclusive for everyone.

A national movement

Across England, streets, parks and communities were illuminated by runners, joggers, walkers and volunteers wearing head torches, high-visibility clothing and lights as part of Let's Lift the Curfew 2026.

From major cities to rural villages, participants came together with a shared purpose: to show visible support for women being active after dark and demonstrate the positive role that sport and physical activity can play in creating welcoming, inclusive communities. One runner commented:

"The event was inclusive, friendly and welcoming. It felt empowering to be part of it."

The campaign was supported by athletics clubs, RunTogether groups, social running communities, workplace running groups and informal community organisations, making it one of the largest activations of its kind within the running sector.

RunTogether Ambassador and five-time Olympian Jo Pavey attended the National Showcase event, hosted at The Malthouse in Birmingham, where she shared her thoughts on the campaign:

"It has been such a great evening running through the streets of Birmingham and raising awareness of this important campaign because women and girls should feel safe exercising all year round. We're really championing those RunTogether groups tonight that women and girls can join to get active in the winter months. It's so good for mental wellbeing because of the camaraderie and social connection and that's what we've had tonight."

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Community stories

While the statistics demonstrate the scale of the campaign, the real impact can be found in the stories behind the numbers. One runner summed this up perfectly:

"If it wasn't for this group, I wouldn't be running tonight."

Whether it was a first-time runner joining a supportive group, an athletics club opening its doors to new participants, or communities coming together to champion a shared cause, thousands of people helped make Let's Lift the Curfew 2026 a success.

Please let us know if you have feedback or a story to tell, we would love to hear from you.

Looking ahead

The success of Let's Lift the Curfew 2026 demonstrates what can be achieved when the running community comes together behind a common purpose. Tracey Francis, Head of Participation Programmes at England Athletics, shared her thoughts on the campaign:

"Let's Lift the Curfew is important because women have a right to feel safe, to feel protected, to feel confident in their running in the dark and we need to ensure every woman and girl has that opportunity to continue their running in the winter months in a safe environment."

With record participation, significant media reach and hundreds of communities involved, the campaign continues to grow its impact and amplify the conversation around women's experiences of being active after dark.

Thank you to every club, RunTogether group, Run Leader, volunteer, participant and partner who helped make this year's campaign such a success.

Together, we're helping to lift the curfew.

Header image: Fabio De Paola/Assignments/Press Association