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

The Rehab Runway Podcast

🎙️ Episode 16: Women’s Safety in Running: What We All Need to Do

Running should feel freeing.

But for many women, heading out for a run involves an extra layer of planning.

Is it light enough?

Is this route safe?
Will there be people around?
Should I share my location?
Should I wear headphones?
What happens if someone follows me?

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.

This is not just a conversation about what women can do to stay safe.

It is also a conversation about what men, coaches, run clubs and the wider running community can do to reduce the burden on women and make running feel safer for everyone.

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.

Why this episode matters:

Women’s safety in running is not just anecdotal.

The Run My Way survey, a partnership between the Office of Sport and Transport for NSW, explored how perceptions of safety shape running behaviours for women, girls and gender diverse people.

The survey included 4,282 runners across NSW and beyond and found that:

95% of women said a sense of safety influences their running habits.
70% of women surveyed had felt unsafe on a run, compared with 29% of men.
50% of women had experienced harassment on a run, compared with 14% of men.

The survey also found that women’s top priority when choosing where to run was good lighting and visibility, while men’s top priority was scenery, nature and points of interest.

That difference says a lot.

For many male runners, the question might be:

“Where would I enjoy running today?”

For many women, the first question may be:

“Where will I feel safe running today?”

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why women’s safety in running needs to be talked about more openly
The response Isobel and Emma received after posting about women’s safety
The extra mental load many women carry before and during a run
How safety concerns can influence route choice, timing, headphones, clothing, group running and training consistency
Why feeling unsafe is not limited to physical assault
How harassment, intimidation, unwanted comments, being followed and repeated attempts to engage can affect women’s running experiences
Practical strategies women may use to feel safer
Why responsibility should not sit only with women
What male runners need to understand
How men can give space, respect non-engagement and call out poor behaviour
Why safety should be considered by coaches when prescribing training
What run clubs can do to create safer and more inclusive environments
Why women’s safety in running is a running community issue

Key Takeaway

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

It is a running community issue.

For women: your concerns are valid.

For men: your behaviour can influence how safe running feels.

For coaches: safety belongs in the training conversation.

For clubs: culture is what you model, tolerate and act on.

Running should feel freeing. Making it feel that way for everyone requires shared responsibility.

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Guest Links

Isobel Tait: Peak Endurance

Instagram: @peakendurancecoaching

Emma-Rose: Run Joy Melbourne
Instagram: @run_joy_melbourne

🎙️ About the Host

Hosted by Luke Nelson, Sports & Exercise Chiropractor, running coach, and strength coach.

📱 Follow Luke on Instagram: @sportschiroluke
🌐 Learn more & explore upcoming courses: www.healthhp.com.au