National Take Back the Track Day

I just want to put on my sneakers and go for a run. 

This time three years ago I became known as the young female runner who was attacked whilst running in the Lal Lal State Forest in Ballarat. I am now the founder of a national movement called Take Back the Track, a movement that is demanding an end to violence and harassment towards women and gender diverse runners and a movement that encapsulates our collective love of running. 

Take Back the Track shouldn’t have to exist, but the ongoing reality of the experiences of women and gender diverse runners tells us that the movement’s existence is vital. Take Back the Track is also a growing movement that fights for all runners to feel a sense of freedom and happiness when running. 

Research from 2023 found that 92% women were worried for their safety when out for a run, with over half 51% being afraid of being physically attacked and 46% of women identifying a loss of interest in running. I hear these stories every day and they spur me on to make change.

Being the proud founder of this movement is my way of refusing to fall within the category of ‘victim’. Rather, I am a Gunditjmara, Keerraay Woorroong, Djap Wurrung warrior woman who wholeheartedly rejects any narrative that reduces me to the ‘one who was attacked running’. I talk about Take Back the Track with my head held high, my runners tied up tight and a knowing that I am not alone. 

Take Back the Track elevates the stories of women and gender-diverse runners and utilises the power of storytelling to raise awareness to the violence and harassment experienced by women and gender-diverse runners. It is a movement that is demanding an end to women and gender diverse runners being told we need to change our behaviour, instead focusing on pressuring our society to change the conditions and attitudes that make running unsafe

The foundation of the movement is one that is grounded in the love women and gender diverse people have of running, a love that is so worthy of being protected from men’s violence and harassment. 

National Take Back the Track Day is Sunday 15th February, it’s significance of being in February is the month being both the anniversary of Samantha Murphy’s attack and alleged murder in Ballarat and my attack running in Ballarat, both happened one year apart from one another in February. Last year, our first National Take Back the Track day saw hundreds of groups across every state and territory marking the national day. This year we are doing it all again and the momentum in the lead up to the national day is palpable. 

We know that male runners love running just as much as we do.Running is meditative, it is a form of connection to country, body, mind and spirit. It is a self-operated vehicle for exploring new tracks and finding comfort and routine in frequent routes. Running can be an individual journey one day and a fun group run the next. It is blisters, cramps, sunrises, sunsets and it is our most comfortable go-to conversation in small talk with strangers. 

Whilst men share this understanding of what running should be, many men don’t experience the fear and lack of safety that can undermine their love of running that women and gender diverse people do. Take Back the Track is a chance for allies to stand with us to show that everyone has the right to enjoy running without fear.

The running community is a massive and diverse one, you only need to attend a fun run such as Melbourne Marathon, City2Surf or Parkrun to appreciate the popularity of the sport. It is a sport of dedication, grit, connection to body, mind and spirit and a willingness to push yourself out of your comfort zone, all attributes that can and should be applied to seeing the vision of Take Back the Track become a reality. 

The journey of this movement thus far has been a beautiful display of individuals willing to offer whatever they can. We are supported and backed by prominent athletes/runners such as Rob de Castella, Steve Moneghetti, Turia Pitt and Andy Buchanan. We are also supported by individuals behind the scene, offering to create websites, videos, bake scones for community events, sticking up purple posters all over cities and towns and the list goes on. There is a role for everyone to play in this movement. 

To women and gender diverse runners; you’re not alone, your experience is validated and together we are rising (and running) to Take Back the Track. 

Find out how you can join the movement via takebackthetrack.com