runABC reporter and coach Alan Newman was privileged to be invited to join around 100 (mainly female) runners at his local gym, Lockmeadow Health Club in Maidstone, Kent, to take part in the second Let's Lift The Curfew Run organised by Maidstone Harriers. This is his account...

I arrived promptly at 7:00pm on Friday, 7 November, having jogged from home to my second home – Lockmeadow Health Club – where I lead a running group and sometimes help out with fitness classes for some of the more 'mature' club members.

On my way to the club, the night sky was filled with fireworks, and my thoughts turned to the vibrant atmosphere expected at this initiative by This Girl Can and England Athletics. I was not disappointed as I was met by at least 100 people, all dressed to impress in their brightest fluo gear, brandishing their glow sticks like Star Wars light sabers!

After a briefing by Maidstone Harriers' Chairperson, Rob Dunnill, highlighting the purpose of the run (to raise awareness of Lets Lift The Curfew) and drawing attention to the safety issues when running after dark, particularly for females, emphasising the positive role that men can play, we were off into the night for a 5K exploration of Maidstone's historic town centre.

The route chosen by the Harriers took us through the pedestrianised central area of Kent's County Town, where the busy nighttime economy was getting underway. I tactically positioned myself as 'tail end Charlie', with a view of the impressive and colourful throng ahead. We were (briefly) joined by a couple of likely lads outside a boozer, who were good-natured and quickly gave up their efforts when I fibbed that we were running 10 miles!

After passing Kent County Council's County Hall and the Maidstone Prison, we rejoined the traffic to the sound of car horns, adding to the high-energy music simultaneously being shared by runners distributed throughout the group. As we left town for a loop in a dimly lit residential area, this retired policeman was nearly taken out by a sleeping policeman in the road! 

Shortly after this near miss, we did have an injury. One lady sprained an already weakened ankle, requiring some support and plenty of determination to reach the finish. Suddenly, it was all over and we were back at Lockmeadow Health Club. Happy faces told their own story. We had Lifted The Curfew and shown Maidstone how to keep fit, have fun, and share our spaces safely.

I hope this run and many similar Let's Lift The Curfew campaign activities held around the UK help to raise awareness and empower more people to be active outdoors after dark, while also reminding everyone to take sensible precautions to ensure their safety. 

It certainly gave me food for thought after a lifetime of running and coaching at all hours!      

Photos courtesy of Rob Dunnill, Maidstone Harriers

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