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WITH WOMEN WE RUN: LETTERS OF PROGRESS FROM ADIDAS RUNNERS CAPTAINS AND COACHES
International Day for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence provides a crucial opportunity to reflect on our collective efforts to combat gender-based violence. This year, we are proud to highlight the outstanding work of our communities and their ongoing commitment to improving the safety and well-being of women, as part of our With Women We Run (WWWR) initiative.
Since its inception in March 2022, our communities have already hosted over 900 WWWR events around the globe. This campaign, launched to recognize the unique challenges faced by women runners, has fostered profound learning, growth and change across AR communities.
In the spirit of celebrating progress this International Day for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, we sat down with some of our Captains and Coaches to spotlight adidas Runners members. Together, we reflected on how the running community has evolved in terms of safety, inclusion and allyship.
IMAN
For Iman, part of adidas Runners Vienna, the initiative has empowered her to address issues of harassment and safety in her community. A critical moment came when a female runner confided in her about harassment, which had discouraged the runner from attending sessions. Thanks to the WWWR initiative, this woman felt supported enough to speak up, knowing her concerns would be taken seriously.
Overtime Iman has seen a shift in her community – more women are joining, feeling confident in their progress, and participating actively in decision-making. Her advice is simple yet impactful: “If you want to promote safety and inclusion, start by reflecting on what makes you feel safe and included. True inclusion comes from recognizing that each person’s experience is unique.” This openness helps encourage an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Overtime Iman has seen a shift in her community – more women are joining, feeling confident in their progress, and participating actively in decision-making. Her advice is simple yet impactful: “If you want to promote safety and inclusion, start by reflecting on what makes you feel safe and included. True inclusion comes from recognizing that each person’s experience is unique.” This openness helps encourage an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
EUGENE
Eugene shares a vital realization from his work with adidas Runners Singapore: true allyship goes beyond surface-level safety. He initially realized “most city captains could relate to women being unable to run at night, or excessive cat calling.” But living in a relatively safe city, meant these issues were “not front of mind to most women in our community.” However, conversations with women in his community helped him recognize a pressing need for greater representation and leadership opportunities for women in sport. He reflects, “the lack of women representation in sport and more importantly, leadership in sport was actually a very big gap here in Singapore.”
Through the women-only Happy Pace Club, more women have been encouraged to join, and many men in the AR community have stepped up in allyship. As Eugene observes, “where allyship was previously not a term used in our community, it is now a term I hear fairly regularly.” His journey shows that allyship involves not just creating safe physical spaces but also creating environments where women can lead and be celebrated.
Through the women-only Happy Pace Club, more women have been encouraged to join, and many men in the AR community have stepped up in allyship. As Eugene observes, “where allyship was previously not a term used in our community, it is now a term I hear fairly regularly.” His journey shows that allyship involves not just creating safe physical spaces but also creating environments where women can lead and be celebrated.
YEN
Yen’s reflections from adidas Runners Johannesburg highlight how his engagement in WWWR has shaped his approach to running and community-building. Attending his first WWWR event allowed him to hear firsthand accounts of gender-based challenges, igniting his passion for allyship. “From that day, it has been a conscious practice to listen, learn, understand, and help not just runners, but women in all paths of life,” he says.
Yen now approaches each run with intention, using his platform to raise awareness and encourage empathy. He believes the journey toward greater inclusion begins with everyday actions – “listening more than speaking and taking in what’s being said,” “walking to and from the run with a fellow runner,” and “waiting until they’re home safe.” For him, these small gestures create a sense of safety and support.
Yen now approaches each run with intention, using his platform to raise awareness and encourage empathy. He believes the journey toward greater inclusion begins with everyday actions – “listening more than speaking and taking in what’s being said,” “walking to and from the run with a fellow runner,” and “waiting until they’re home safe.” For him, these small gestures create a sense of safety and support.
NIKILEE
Nikilee’s perspective on safety and inclusion deepened after a personal experience at a running event. “A man made an inappropriate comment, and I was so shocked that I froze, unable to respond.” She left feeling upset, realizing how common this must be for many women. This moment became a turning point, highlighting the importance of speaking up. Nikilee became more committed to creating safe spaces, “not just for myself, but for all women who deserve to feel safe in every space.”
As a member of adidas Runners LA, Nikilee’s involvement with the WWWR Campaign has given her a platform to drive change. Through her work with the campaign, she learned that while women-only spaces are essential, meaningful change requires including everyone. “I’ve come to realize that meaningful change requires including everyone in the conversation,” she says. Hosting co-ed events showed her the importance of engaging men in the community. “When we opened up this conversation to men, I realized how many of them weren’t aware of the anxieties women experience during solo runs.” Through these dialogues, women can help men understand and become allies. Nikilee believes that “direct communication and education are key to creating a safe, inclusive running community.”
As a member of adidas Runners LA, Nikilee’s involvement with the WWWR Campaign has given her a platform to drive change. Through her work with the campaign, she learned that while women-only spaces are essential, meaningful change requires including everyone. “I’ve come to realize that meaningful change requires including everyone in the conversation,” she says. Hosting co-ed events showed her the importance of engaging men in the community. “When we opened up this conversation to men, I realized how many of them weren’t aware of the anxieties women experience during solo runs.” Through these dialogues, women can help men understand and become allies. Nikilee believes that “direct communication and education are key to creating a safe, inclusive running community.”
These reflections remind us that With Women We Run is an evolving movement – one that is reshaping running communities across the globe. The powerful stories shared by Eugene, Iman, Yen and Nikilee underscore a key truth: allyship and inclusion grow through consistent, everyday actions. Whether through listening, supporting, or challenging the status quo, these efforts make a lasting impact. As Yen beautifully puts it, “No action that helps the life of another is too small.”
While we celebrate progress, we know there’s more to be done. For highlights and inspiration from this year’s campaign, visit us on Instagram.
While we celebrate progress, we know there’s more to be done. For highlights and inspiration from this year’s campaign, visit us on Instagram.
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