A young woman from Widnes has described being ‘overwhelmed’ by the response to the female-only run club she established in the town’s Victoria Park.
Ashana Raynes, 19, set up her weekly club earlier this month. The first gathering, on Sunday, April 19, drew over 70 attendees ranging from girls of around 10 to women of 60.
Ms Raynes said: “I love running and I wanted to create a safe space for all abilities. Being a girl, I know that it can be intimidating going for a run by yourself, so I wanted to bring like-minded people together.”
She added: “I expected a few people, but the turn out for the first meet was amazing.”
Unlike other running clubs in the town and across Merseyside, Ms Raynes said her main goal when organising the club wasn’t to set a certain distance or be competitive, but to encourage women to come together and have fun.
Members can follow a route for a 1k, 3k, or 5k run, or just walk.
Ms Raynes’ run club is just one of thousands across the country. Over the past few years, fitness clubs have surged in popularity, and it is becoming increasingly hard to visit somewhere without passing a jogger. What once felt like an activity reserved for pros is now more accessible for people of all abilities.
Not only are female running clubs an opportunity to exercise, but they are a way for many to make friends, socialise and provide a safe environment.
Ms Raynes added: “People can run and have a chat without any pressure.”
Whilst also working as a personal trainer, Ms Raynes shared that she wanted to create a community in Widnes to help take away the intimidation of going for a run and to bring another wellbeing event to the town.
For many, running with friends has replaced nights out, with people swapping hangovers for early morning coffee and 5k runs. Ms Raynes has noticed that a lot of her peers are choosing fitness and wellbeing over nights out.
If it feels like your Instagram feed is packed with more Strava stats than anything else, you’re not alone. The rise in interest in exercise is quite possibly the biggest trend amongst Gen Zs.
The prominence of running on social media has increased its popularity, with many posting about ‘runner’s high’ – a feeling of empowerment that people may not normally associate with drinking alcohol or heavy nights out.
The Strava 2024 Year in Sport Report, which identifies the trends that shaped the global active landscape, revealed that run club participation increased by 59% globally in 2024. Group activities focused on ‘making social connections’ were also found to be the primary motivator for people to complete a workout.
The report also found that 58% of survey respondents said they made new friends via fitness groups.
By creating a women-only space, Ms Raynes wants to create a judgment-free zone where girls of all abilities can feel comfortable enough to exercise. Safety is a huge concern for girls when running, especially when alone or late at night.
Although we are currently moving into lighter nights, previous research from This Girl Can, has shown that almost three-quarters of women in the UK change their running route during the darker winter months to avoid possible dangers, such as sexual harassment or violent encounters.
Speaking to female runners in Victoria Park, the biggest theme was concerns for safety when running alone.
Caitlin, 23, said: “I’ve been on runs where men in vans have shouted abuse at me. I welcome clubs where big groups of women can run together”.
Confidence is also a huge factor that holds girls back from joining in with exercise.
The Youth Sport Trust released findings from its 2024 Girls Active Survey, which found that 46% of girls aged 14-15 reported a lack of confidence, preventing them from being more active at school, compared with 26% of girls aged 7-8. Female-only run clubs strive to minimise these percentages to bring together like-minded people.
Women-only run clubs are not the only spaces across Merseyside that have been designed to provide women with a safe environment to socialise.
Girls On the Go Liverpool runs weekly events across the city for girls primarily aged 18-35. Alongside fitness events, the group has hosted other sober meetups, including bingo, pottery painting and charm-making classes, aimed at helping girls make friends in a relaxed environment.
Steph Barney, CEO of Girls On the Go, said: “I think one reason girls might feel more inclined to go to a sober event is because they don’t want the clutch of alcohol to help them overcome their social anxiety.
“There’s less expectation and a bit more freedom to be yourself.”
Fitness and wellbeing events are increasingly becoming the go-to for Gen Z wanting to socialise. Ms Rayne’s run club in Widnes is not the first in the town, and she hopes more will begin.
She said: “The more the merrier. They’re just a great way for people to meet and exercise.”
Would you be interested in a women-only run club? Click this link to tell us your thoughts on our Instagram.
For more information on Ashana’s run club, you can follow her on Instagram @fitness_with_ashana.
