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safety shouldn’t end at sunset
Women account for roughly 52% of individuals residing in Boston. The city has roughly 90,923
female students in higher education. Especially within a city, safety concerns for women are
often set to rise as the sun begins to set. There is no eye to bat when you spot a woman with
pepper-spray or a Birdie alarm fastened to their keychain, because that is an unfortunate reality.
A recent TikTok by Dr. Amanda Hanson (@midlifemuse), depicts the unfortunate reality women
face, especially while living in large cities. Hanson poses the question, “If you were guaranteed
safety tonight—you could go out by yourself and do anything, what’s the first thing you would
do?” to both men and women in New York City. The majority of men felt they were already in
the position to do what they desired at night. Yet, several women expressed simple wishes like
walking around the streets alone and venturing to city parks.
Nike held the “Nike After Dark,” a 10K race geared towards women with the wish to embrace
their safety while running at night. The event took place on October 17, 2026 and brought
together over 5,000 runners united under one goal: a celebration of the freedom to run fearlessly
after dark. London’s “London City Airport” tarmac was beautifully transformed into a sparkling
runway channeling safety, passion, and empowerment for women. The debut race took place in
Shanghai on April 25, 2026. Additional cities included Sydney, Mexico City, London, Los
Angeles. The tour rounds its end with races in Manila and Mumbai.
We should not have to live in a world where this type of event has to exist. We should not have to
pay merely for our own personal safety. Several viewers were upset to see men attending the
races as participants, as well as spectators seemingly there to harass female runners. The
presence of men at an event created specifically for female empowerment raises an important
question: how can women feel safe in designated spaces despite their daily concerns following
them? Allies certainly play a vital role in activism for gender equality, but they should not be an
overshadowing factor within an event’s true purpose. Despite Nike’s attempt to create a powerful
sense of community and safety, a single race cannot immediately solve a historically systemic
issue and it is more than just running. It is about reclaiming safety that has been stolen and
stepping out to enjoy a city without the aggressive need to keep your head on a swivel, share
your locations with several loved-ones, or gripping a safety device or alarm.
Running, walking, or simply enjoying your surroundings after dark should be a choice, not a
courageous act of bravery