And indeed, more women than ever are participating in running’s marquee events. This immense passion and excitement is evident with record turnout rates in 2018, amongst other races. According to the latest figures, women have experienced incredible success in increasing the number of female marathon runners. Participation was up 5% in marathons and 16% in half marathons. Participation at the 2025 Ballarat Marathon was overwhelming and unprecedented. More than 3,600 women registered, an early indication of the increasing demand for female runners.
Danielle Bryan, founder of “Run Like a Girl,” a women-only running group, has been watching this trend up close. Her organization’s most active season is in the winter to coincide with that serious uptick in demand for community running events. The response to these initiatives has shown what a huge move towards inclusivity and empowerment for female runners these steps represent.
Community Investments Enhance Running Opportunities
Around Australia, regional cities such as Ballarat and Bendigo have seen the advantage in delivering safe, accessible training environments for runners. They specifically used COVID relief dollars to extend lighting at athletic tracks and ovals. This enhancement especially benefits women by providing more safe places to train after dark in the winter months. Lake Wendouree in Ballarat has been fitted with more than 220 lights, helping make the lake a welcoming space for people to run in their community.
Adam McNicol, a spokesperson of the Ballarat Marathon, was amazed by the turnaround female stats. He said 41% of runners in this weekend’s marathon are women, emphasizing the increasing demand. This pivotal movement has introduced masses of Americans to female athletes and continues to create a positive community-vibe supportive surrounding.
“You don’t want people missing out because they don’t feel safe.” – Danielle Bryan
That focus on safety has never felt more timely, especially after the events at the Capitol on January 6th. The sudden disappearance of Samantha Murphy has created, understandably, a push for immediate discourse on women’s safety in public spaces. Consequently, countless women runners from newbies to elites are reconsidering their training plans. Jane Cantwell, Alphington runner and on her way to her first half marathon. Despite her support for the project, she said she fears for her safety as she trains after dark.
The Impact of Daylight Saving on Training Routines
With daylight saving time just around the corner, runners—such as go! runner Jane Cantwell —will find their training routines tested by different challenges. When the days get short enough that I can’t run before work, she said, I’ll have to stop. This sudden shift makes it challenging for many to adapt their schedules and may severely restrict their access to safe training spaces.
Cantwell, who is usually happy to do her training along the Darebin Creek and Yarra trails, now feels nervous about running at night. “I’ve done a few in the dark with a head torch but it doesn’t feel safe enough, so I have no idea how I’ll be able to keep it up in winter,” she stated. As much as she loves the sport, inherent risks of running after sunset linger in her thoughts.
“But the potential risk is so high,” – Jane Cantwell
Female-only events such as “Run Like a Girl” are experiencing explosive growth. Recent events like the Nike After Dark Tour held in Sydney underscore that women crave more safe and supportive spaces when it comes to running. These events celebrate the female running community and provide opportunities for women to connect and share experiences in a secure setting.
A Growing Movement Towards Inclusion
These trends that are bringing more women to the start line of running events speak to larger social movements that are working to cultivate inclusion and empowerment. The Ballarat Marathon is a celebration of the incredible talent of the female athletes. Beyond breaking PRs, it signifies a cultural change that’s embracing women and their impact in sports.
Danielle Bryan’s efforts through “Run Like a Girl” exemplify this movement towards inclusivity in running. Through her organization, she’s created a tightly knit support system where women of all different backgrounds and fitness levels can fearlessly chase their goals without question or concern. With a focus on building community, Bryan wants to create an environment where runners feel safe and empowered to train their best.
“They’re always thinking about their safety, even when not running.” – Danielle Bryan
