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November 2020 - Sport, Leisure and Tourism

46% of UK female runners have been harassed while out running: Almost half the women polled in a Runner's World survey said that they have experienced harassment while out running, with 90% saying the experience 'bothers them'. 

The research polled 1,000 female runners in the UK, finding that 46.5% reported being harassed along their running route 'at least sometimes'. This compares to just 9.2% of male runners.  The figures are also higher than in the same survey conducted in the US, which found 43% of female and 4% of male runners had been harassed during a run.

More than a quarter of the women polled (27%) said they have been followed by a vehicle, on foot or by someone on a push bike during a run, while 13% said they have been sexually propositioned by a stranger. One in 20 (5%) said they have been 'grabbed, groped or otherwise assaulted', and 3% had been 'flashed' by a stranger.

Eight out of 10 women who have experienced harassment while out running said that it was men who were responsible.

When asked if they have changed their running practices because of their negative experiences, 79% said they now tell someone the route they will be taking and run with their phone, while almost half (48%) have changed their route. Around one in 10 women (11%) said that the harassment has affected them so much they have switched to indoor exercise on a treadmill at least once.

The survey found that women running in cities are most likely to be harassed whilst out running, with 55% reporting a negative experience.

Runners World is campaigning to continue the conversation about mid-run harassment - read the full story

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