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Gwen Owen, who established a women-only running group called Môn Girls Run, has shared her frustration on Instagram regarding the harassment she and the group face from men during nighttime runs. Despite wearing high-visibility clothing and having lights on, the women continue to encounter intimidating behavior. Owen described how, during a recent 5K event in Bangor, Gwynedd, men shouted and whistled at them from passing cars, and on other occasions, men have run alongside them, following the group.
The issue has not gone unnoticed by local authorities, with North Wales Police officers participating in runs with the group and witnessing the harassment firsthand. They have even recorded the registration numbers of offending vehicles. Owen, 28, from Anglesey, was inspired to start Môn Girls Run after feeling uneasy running alone during winter months. She explained that after running solo for six months, darkness made her feel scared, motivating her to create a safe space for women runners on Anglesey, taking inspiration from similar groups in Manchester and Liverpool.
Owen recalled the early days of the group, when six to eight women participated in the inaugural run, marking the beginning of a supportive community. She emphasized that ideally, female runners shouldn’t have to rely on group runs for safety, but for many, running alone has become too risky. The formation of Môn Girls Run, she notes, has become essential in providing a sense of security and empowerment for women who want to enjoy running without fear.
Highlighting how common harassment has become, Owen warned against allowing such behavior to become normalized. She expressed concern that dismissive attitudes like “just ignore it” undermine the seriousness of the issue. She shared her own experiences, including repeated instances of being targeted by the same car multiple times during solitary runs. Her clear message is a plea for respect: “We just want to be left alone. Even if you know us, don’t honk your horn or shout at us, just let us run.
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