Let's Lift the Curfew

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.

Every year the campaign is 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.

Why Let's Lift the Curfew Matters

As the clocks go back and evenings become darker, many women alter where, when and how they choose to be active outdoors. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of women in the UK change their outdoor activity routines during winter, according to This Girl Can's 2023 data. For some, it means changing routes, running with others, carrying additional safety equipment, or avoiding activity after dark altogether.

Let's Lift the Curfew exists to shine a light on these experiences and encourage conversations about how communities can support women to feel more confident and safer when being active outdoors throughout the year.

Here is our guide to running safely in the dark.

More Than Just a Run

Let's Lift the Curfew is about far more than a single evening of activity. The campaign helps:

• Raise awareness of women's experiences when being active after dark.
• Encourage conversations within clubs and communities.
• Create welcoming and supportive environments.
• Strengthen connections between runners and local communities.
• Demonstrate the power of collective action through sport.

Every participant, volunteer, Run Leader and club has a key role to play in helping amplify this message.

The impact of Let's Lift the Curfew 2026

In 2026 a record number of people took part in the Let's Lift the Curfew activities to make a powerful statement of support, help raise awareness, spark conversations and create welcoming opportunities for women to be active throughout the darker months. Across England, streets, parks and communities were illuminated by runners, joggers, walkers and volunteers wearing head torches, high-visibility clothing and lights.

Play Video