Prime Highlights :
- Bognor Regis women’s running group founder calls for better safety measures as winter darkness approaches.
- The group held a women-only self-defence session, empowering 40 participants and boosting confidence.
Key Facts :
- The running group, It’s Run By Her, started in 2025 as a small WhatsApp chat and now welcomes women of all ages and abilities.
- Safety concerns include poor street lighting along the seafront and incidents of unwanted attention, prompting collaboration with local authorities and community partners.
Background :
The founder of a women-only running group in Bognor Regis has renewed her call for visible action on safety concerns as darker evenings approach. Sophie Louise, who started It’s Run By Her in 2025, said clearer communication and timely action from local authorities are needed before winter ends.
The group began as a small WhatsApp chat for friends who felt uncomfortable in male-dominated running clubs. It has since grown into a welcoming community for women of all ages and abilities. But as more women joined, safety issues became clear, such as poor street lighting along the seafront and unwanted attention.
“What’s frustrating is that while the council mentioned improvements, nothing has visibly changed,” Sophie said. “By the time it’s addressed, winter darkness will be gone, and the problem will return next year.”
Residents are now urging the council to provide updates on safety measures and involve the community in solutions beyond formal reporting. Arun District Council responded, expressing a willingness to work with the group and partners. A spokesperson said, “We want to meet with representatives to discuss practical steps and help make people feel safer.”
The group has also taken proactive steps on its own. Sophie collaborated with Jack Magee, founder of The Mad Hatters Asylum in Chichester, to run a women-only self-defence session, attracting around 40 participants. Sophie praised the session for not just teaching skills but empowering women to feel more confident in real-life situations.
“Our aim is always about community, supporting women’s wellbeing, confidence, and safety,” Sophie said. “The Safer Steps event showed that everyone deserves to feel secure in their hometown.”
Participation in the running group continues to grow, with support from the wider local running community. Even men from other clubs have expressed understanding and respect for the group’s safety concerns, Sophie added.
Seeing the positive response, the organisers plan to keep running self-defence sessions and will keep costs low so women and girls across Bognor Regis can join.
