Women’s safety in running is not just a women’s issue. It is a running community issue.

In this episode of The Rehab Runway, I’m joined by running coaches Isobel Tait from Peak Endurance and Emma-Rose from Run Joy Melbourne to discuss women’s safety in running, why it affects participation and training, and what all of us can do to help create safer running spaces.

The conversation was prompted by recent discussion around women’s safety while running, along with the Run My Way survey from the Office of Sport and Transport for NSW. The survey found that 95% of women said safety influences their running habits, 70% of women had felt unsafe on a run, and 50% of women had experienced harassment while running.

We discuss the extra mental load many women carry before and during a run, including route choice, timing, headphones, location sharing, running alone, group running and whether to acknowledge strangers.

But this conversation is not just about giving women more strategies to stay safe. We also talk about what men can do, what coaches need to consider, and how run clubs can create safer, more inclusive running environments.

In this episode, we cover:

Why women’s safety in running needs to be discussed more openly

How safety concerns shape when, where and how women run

What the Run My Way survey tells us about the safety gap in running

Why feeling unsafe is not limited to physical assault

How harassment, intimidation, unwanted comments and being followed can affect running experiences

Practical strategies women may use to feel safer

What male runners need to understand

How men can give space, respect non-engagement and call out poor behaviour

Why safety should be considered when prescribing training

What run clubs can do to create safer running environments

Why women’s safety in running is a shared responsibility

Content note: This episode discusses women’s safety while running, including harassment, intimidation and assault. We do not go into graphic detail, but some listeners may find parts of the conversation distressing. Please listen in a way that feels right for you.

Show notes:

https://www.healthhp.com.au/the-rehab-runway/womens-safety-in-running

Guest links:

Isobel Tait
Peak Endurance
Instagram: @peakendurancecoaching

Emma-Rose
Run Joy Melbourne
Instagram: @run_joy_melbourne

Women’s Safety in Running: What We All Need to Do

The Rehab Runway: From the Treatment Room to the Track

Women’s Safety in Running: What We All Need to Do