Reclaiming the night: Nike After Dark gives women a space to run freely

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. — For women, running and feeling safe don't always go hand in hand. Whether it's looking over our shoulders, avoiding certain streets or thinking twice before heading out after sunset, the freedom to run often comes with precautions. But Nike is working to change that narrative, one mile at a time.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, almost 12,000 runners came together for the Nike After Dark half marathon in Redondo Beach. For 13.1 miles, women took on the streets of the South Bay, trading the golden hues of the California sunset for music and cheering spectators along the coastline. From King Harbor through Torrance and Hermosa Beach, the nighttime race gave women an opportunity to run alongside thousands of others – safely.

But before the big day approached, Nike's After Dark Expotique offered runners more than just a place to pick up their bibs. It was a celebration of womanhood, athleticism and everything in between. From hair styling stations to handwritten affirmations, the experience made room for women to prepare for the race while embracing their individuality.

It's more than a race. It's a movement, an world-wide experience and a shift in how women should feel while running.

"I love the energy. I love the aspect being women," said Janet, a returning runner. "It was such a good experience the first time, I had to do it again."

For runners like Janet, last year's experience was so memorable that she returned to run the half marathon for a second consecutive year. Beyond the excitement of race day, she recognized the importance of having an event centered on women in a sport where participation can sometimes feel intimidating.

"Women don't get a lot of things in the world, to themselves even," Janet said. "I know men signed up for this too, shame. But I think it's good, it encourages women to get into the field of running more which is good because I feel like it's very discouraging sometimes."

Launched in 2025, Nike's After Dark Tour returned in 2026 with races across seven cities, including London, Shanghai, Sydney, Mexico City, Manila, Mumbai and Los Angeles. While the distances vary between 10 kilometers and a half marathon, the mission remains focused on encouraging women to run confidently and build community through sport.

At the Redondo Beach Expotique, that message was reflected in nearly every corner.

Red paper leaflets lined an exterior wall, filled with handwritten manifestations and messages of encouragement. Inside a booth, inspirational words covered the mirrors, allowing women to see motivation through both the messages and their own reflections. Even those who weren't too fond of trekking 13.1 miles made colorful posters to support their friends, family and complete strangers.

From high buns to bubble pigtails, glittery eyeshadow to neon makeup looks, Nike After Dark gave women a chance to run with their girls and feel beautiful doing it.

At the hair studio, professional stylists helped runners prepare their race-day looks, adding a touch of glam to an already energetic atmosphere. It may seem like a simple makeover, but how often does a half marathon make space for female runners to feel just as celebrated for their self-expression as their athletic efforts?

The experience showed that empowering women doesn't always have to come through speeches or initiatives. Sometimes, it can be as simple as creating an environment where women feel seen, supported and excited to show up as themselves.

That message continued at the Expotique's main stage, where Olympic gold medalist Masai Russell and silver medalist Anna Cockrell offered runners advice ahead of the race. The American track and field stars shared lessons from their professional careers, reminding participants that running isn't always about personal records or crossing the finish line first.

"There will be people right next to you having the best race of their lives, they're going to be people that are struggling," Cockrell told the crowd. "So just take in the moment, take in the atmosphere. I was here last year for After Dark and it was unbelievable."

Russell offered more personal advice, reflecting on the highs and lows of her journey as a professional athlete and how runners can find beauty in the struggle.

"My journey has been up and down as a track athlete, as a professional," Russell said. "But it's a part of what you do, it's a part of reality in anything, not even just in sports but in life. It's not about what you go through it's about how you go through it."

That same determination carried into race day, where Jenny Schilling, Insa Mannstadt and Olympian Marielle Hall claimed the top three spots. Schilling led the field with a finishing time of 1:13:29. The event also brought out internet personality Quenlin Blackwell and distance running pioneer Joan Benoit Samuelson, while Olympic gold medalists Tara Davis-Woodhall and Russell, alongside silver medalist Cockrell, helped lead the celebration.

Even the race medal reflected the night's focus on empowering women. Designed by an all-woman creative team, the medal was made to be worn however runners pleased, whether as a belt, necklace or bracelet. It was another way for women to celebrate their accomplishments while expressing their unique style.

From seasoned athletes to women who simply wanted to run with their girlies, Nike After Dark brought together participants with different experiences and reasons for showing up. Some came to chase a personal record, others to challenge themselves or support their friends. But beyond the glitter, glam and 13.1 miles, the opportunity to run at night without feeling alone carried a different kind of significance.

For Miriam, a Los Angeles native, the event offered something that isn't always guaranteed when running after dark: a sense of safety and community.

"For me, it means to have a community and safe space to be able to run together," Miriam said. "In the night, it can be very scary, especially in LA to run at night, I'm born and raised in LA so it can definitely be very scary. To have this event for women in LA, I just feel really excited."