Safer running for women and girls everywhere
We’re delivering the blueprint for community-led action on female running safety. We gather data, engage stakeholders, advocate solutions, and certify routes to address the unmet needs of millions of female runners.
About us
We are a global non-profit organization working to make running safer, more enjoyable, and more accessible for women and girls.
We believe running should be a joy, not a risk, and no one should ever run scared. Our mission is to empower women and girls to run with confidence – and without fear – by improving public running spaces. We are using data-driven insights, stakeholder input, and local engagement to develop a framework and accreditation system for safer running environments. By generating evidence-based recommendations and advocating on behalf of female runners, we are working to transform their experiences and their trajectories.
Kate Tellier, Founder and Director
"I want to be an advocate for female athletes at all levels and bring the joy of running to more women and girls, wherever they are."
Why we’re doing it
EVERY RUNNER DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE
Running offers numerous benefits for women and girls, including improved health, increased confidence, and reduced stress. However, global surveys consistently show that most female runners feel unsafe – and that safety fears influence their decisions on when and where to run and, for some, whether they run at all.
are concerned for their safety when they go for a run (Adidas)
female runners in the U.S. and Europe alone (Running with Grit)
experience abuse while running (BBC)
changed their behaviour in some way as a consequence (Runner’s World)
A MULTI-FACETED PROBLEM REQUIRING A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION
Inadequate urban planning, insufficient community and authority engagement, and a lack of interventions addressing the root causes of harassment, are among the numerous factors driving this dynamic. And solutions are scarce – and almost entirely reactive.
Rather than remediating issues after they occur, Run Her Way is working to shift the focus to proactive, preventative strategies to create a world where women and girls can run without fear.
Running scared has run its course
We work with local champions to mobilize stakeholders and drive meaningful change in running environments. We are expanding our reach with pilot programs and partnerships in various locations and look forward to the impact we can drive together.
Our approach
Run Her Way takes a community-led approach to creating safer running environments for women and girls. Though there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are a number of common components that are crucial in addressing female running safety. It’s that understanding, along with our focus on engaging directly with female runners and the stakeholders who shape their experiences, that defines and differentiates our collaborative, evidence-based approach to driving change at scale.
User-led and data-driven
We prioritize the voices of female runners. Gathering data on running routes, incidents, and runner feedback allows us to analyze safety concerns, identify areas needing intervention, and deploy targeted solutions. This data-driven approach ensures that the real experiences of women guide our initiatives.
Government engagement
Partnering with government at all levels is essential to driving sustainable change. We provide local decision-makers with analytics and insights with the aim of securing the commitments required to implement our recommendations. We also advocate for policies to improve running safety, such as the criminalization of street harassment.
Law enforcement input
We are also focused on working closely with local law enforcement to ensure a thorough understanding of incident handling, reporting mechanisms, and response outcomes – and to identify champions who can advocate for safer running routes and collaborate on practical solutions.
Education and community intervention
Addressing the root causes of harassment and other forms of runner abuse is key to our mission. We are building partnerships with experts to deliver programs targeting these issues, as well as safety-enhancing initiatives such as bystander intervention training and self-defense. Community education and intervention fosters a safer and more supportive environment for female runners and is an important part of our approach.
Corporate and foundation partnerships
Corporate and foundation partners play a key role in funding and amplifying our initiatives. By aligning with organizations that share our vision, values, and social impact goals, we increase awareness and mobilize additional resources to advance our mission.
Involving the broader running community
Running brands, clubs, federations, event organizers, and influencers help raise awareness and support for our movement. Through joint initiatives, events, and campaigns, we aim to harness the collective power of the running community to drive meaningful change.
on a mission to help You Run with confidence
Through our blueprint for 360° cooperation, we are working to create safer, more supportive running environments for women and girls everywhere.
Our programs and services
We bring more women and girls into running, learn from their experiences, and use that to improve how running works in public space.
Run & Reflect™
A facilitated run using a structured reflection method.
Run together. Observe what shapes the experience. Turn it into insight.
Run Her City™
A city-level program focused on change.
Working with cities to improve routes and running environments based on women’s experiences.
Run Her Neighborhood™
A local participation program.
Helping women and girls get started, build confidence, and keep running—right where they live.
Run Her Way® Verified Routes
A system to scale and share what works.
A growing set of routes you can trust based on real runner input.
Get involved
Running safety concerns are real and pervasive, affecting millions worldwide every day. Join us in fostering safer running environments, promoting gender equality, and building healthier, more inclusive communities. There are many ways you can help.
Bring Run Her Way to your city or community
To scale our impact, we work with local champions, running communities, and partners who lead and deliver our programs in their own communities. Are you a local government, running club, university, community organization, or business looking to improve safety and confidence in running and get more women and girls participating?
Partner with us
Achieve your social impact goals through a Run Her Way partnership. We create tailored partnership packages for organizations that share our commitment to creating safer running environments for women and girls. Partner with us to fund and amplify our mission or share your expertise to help us develop bespoke solutions for the communities we serve.
Join our ambassador network
We are building a network of runners, elite athletes, and corporate leaders to support and promote Run Her Way initiatives. Our ambassadors help amplify our reach and impact. Join our network of influential voices in championing safer running environments for women and girls.
Fundraise for us
Support Run Her Way by becoming a fundraiser. Every donation helps us create safer running environments for women and girls. Explore our fundraising toolkit and connect with us to learn more.
Volunteer
Run Her Way relies on the support of dedicated volunteers. If you share a passion for our mission and have time and relevant skills to contribute, we would love to hear from you. Currently, we welcome support in grant writing, partnership development, and community outreach.
Ambassador spotlight
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![Bob de Jong ambassador of run her way]()
Bob de Jong, Olympic gold medalist and proud girl dad
Bob is a world-renowned athlete known for his outstanding achievements in long distance speed skating. He has won numerous world championships and an Olympic gold medal during his illustrious career. With over 22 years of competitive experience and six Olympic appearances, Bob is unquestionably one of the best endurance skaters in the world. He is also an avid runner and a proud girl dad.
“When I go for a run, it’s a simple process. I don’t think twice. I get dressed, lace up my shoes, and I’m off. I didn’t realize the severity and the scale of female running safety concerns. Is this for real, I wondered? It also never occurred to me that my Olympic colleagues might have to deal with these kinds of challenges in their training, in addition to trying to compete at the highest levels of sport. The research and speaking to many in the running world and in my own community opened my eyes. It's time we create safer environments where every woman and girl can run with the same confidence and freedom that I have always taken for granted." -
![Dauphine Sulzer ambassador of run her way]()
Dauphine Sulzer, Public affairs leader
Dauphine is a consultant at Public Matters, a leading Dutch public affairs and lobbying firm that helps organizations navigate the political and societal landscape. With a focus on the healthcare and sports sectors, she supports clients in positioning themselves effectively within political and public debates. A natural connector, Dauphine thrives on bringing people and ideas together to drive meaningful change — whether through policy influence or grassroots action. With a strong interest in politics, advocacy, and social impact, she brings strategic insight and a deep understanding of how to turn complex challenges into opportunities for progress. She supports Run Her Way with guidance on engaging local governments in program locations, building strategic partnerships, and shaping our stakeholder and media outreach efforts.
“As a runner, I know how important it is to feel safe while exercising. I believe in the power of community-driven initiatives to create real change, and I admire how Run Her Way is putting this into action. I'm thrilled to contribute to making cities safer and more inclusive for female runners.” -
![Jimmy Schneidewind Image]()
Jimmy Schneidewind, 10-time marathoner and sport for good practitioner
Jimmy’s history with running predates even his earliest memories. In recent years, he has found a home at the marathon distance, completing 10 marathons in total. He is passionate about using sports, especially running, as a tool for youth development, gender and racial equality, environmental awareness, and community cohesion. He currently is the coordinator of a youth run series in his county of Maryland, a regular volunteer with Special Olympics and Girls on the Run, an Advisory Council Member of the Girls Gotta Run Foundation, and a contributor to Ashoka’s Reimagining Youth Sport Project.
"Running should be a simple act of freedom — but when women and girls don’t feel safe in public spaces, it becomes a human rights issue. If we can ensure that women and girls are safe to run on their own terms, we can uncover powerful insights into how to build a society that works for everyone."
Run Her Way has recently been featured in these articles!
“SIN has launched in partnership with Run Her Way, a global non-profit focused on women’s running safety, marking the start of ongoing fundraising and awareness-building events.”
“Kate Tellier, a former college athlete who has run since she was a child, has been photographed by a man she didn’t know, followed by a car while out running, and even followed home on foot to her doorstep—experiences that help explain why she only runs during the day, often with only one headphone in, and shares her live location with her partner. ”
“We bring voices together, translate them into action points, and help cities improve their sports and public space policies. Ultimately, it’s about half the population feeling just as free as the other half.”
