Runners turn out to highlight women's safety

More than 100 runners turned out at two events to highlight how many women did not feel safe exercising outside after dark.

Jersey Spartan Athletic Club's race on Tuesday was part of the Let's Lift the Curfew national campaign, as was Rock n Road Runners on the same evening.

The annual campaign holds races and runs across the UK, aiming to address how more than half of women surveyed do not feel safe running outside in the dark.

Katie Cartwright helped organise the Spartan club run and said: "I've had a van follow me, hurling abuse at me... I've had a man push me as I ran along the front, which you just don't expect in day-to-day life."

Cartwright said: "We've had a really great turnout. We've had over 80 entries, which is amazing; and the chief minister has come down to support us, and so has the chief of police."

This is the second year runners in Jersey joined the campaign and organisers said it was hoped the numbers involved in the island would grow again next year.

She added: "This is an event that runs for the whole week.

"It would be great if we could do something across the sports for the whole week to promote this and show that there are safe and inclusive spaces for women to exercise after dark."

More than 50 people also joined the other run as part of the campaign in Jersey, organised by Bex Harris from Rock n Road Runners.

She said: "I was absolutely blown away by how many runners, both female and male, attended our Let's Lift The Curfew run.

"I feel so privileged to be part of such a safe and supportive running community."

Harris added: "I hope that people were able to meet and have conversations with new faces, share ideas about exercising in the winter months and form new connections with runners in Jersey."

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