Bisham Abbey to launch new after dark running club to support Let's Lift the Curfew campaign

Bisham Abbey is launching a free-to-attend night time running and walking club to support This Girl Can’s (TGC) Let’s Lift the Curfew Campaign.

The campaign looks to highlight the fact that almost 75 per cent of women alter their outdoor activity routines during winter.

Research from TGC shows that around one in four women (24 per cent) make sure they take well-lit routes, while almost a quarter (23 per cent) avoid certain areas altogether.

One in five (20 per cent) glance behind them while exercising after dark to make sure they are not being followed.

To show support for the campaign, the abbey’s National Sports Centre will be launching its new running club on Wednesday, December 4.

Runners will set off each Wednesday at 6pm from the gym, making their way to Marlow and back.

Participants will be provided with a high vis kit so people are able to be safely seen along the route and a member of the centre’s fitness team will be leading the run each week.

Stacey Caswell, contract manager for Bisham Abbey, said: “It’s important that people are able to stay active whatever the time of year.

“Dark nights should not mean women or men have to miss out on the many benefits of outdoor exercising.

“We’re well aware that not everyone wants to run or jog, so if you’re a walker who’d like to attend, please come along on the 4th.

“Although we are aiming this primarily at women, if there are any men who’d like to take part each week, we’d be happy to welcome them.

“We’re expecting the round trip to take around 30 minutes for runners, and around 50 minutes for walkers.

“After the session, we’ll be laying on coffee or water for everyone.”

The session is open to everyone, not just customers of the Bisham Abbey gym.

Those interested in signing up can email the team at: enquiries.bishamabbey@serco.com