Why the Nike After Dark Tour is my favourite run of the year

The Nike After Dark Tour is my favourite run, hands down. I’ve now run it two years in a row, and somehow this year was even more electric and empowering than the first.

If you’re a woman looking for your first half marathon, honestly, look no further.

The 21.1km is the part you train for. What stays with you is the feeling of women reclaiming the streets after dark, feeling safe, taking up space and reminding the world that we shouldn’t have to think twice about going for a run at night.

As women, so many of us know what it’s like to plan our running routes around daylight, share our locations or constantly look over our shoulders. This event turns that experience on its head. Thousands of women take over the streets of Sydney together, and the atmosphere is hard to put into words.

From Rozelle Parklands to Tumbalong Park

Starting at Rozelle Parklands, the course takes you around White Bay Cruise Terminal, past Jones Bay Wharf, across Pyrmont Bridge and towards the new Sydney Fish Market. There’s music, DJs and entertainment scattered all along the course, even out on the water. And just when you need that extra push, the activation around the 17km mark gives you the boost to carry you through those final kilometres.

Then you reach Tumbalong Park, where the finish line is really just the start of the night. DJs, music and an after party are waiting, so you can dance the night away and celebrate with thousands of other women.

Meeting Coach Bennett and Riley J

Two moments made this year’s run extra special for me. The first was meeting Coach Bennett, Nike Running’s Global Head Coach and the voice behind the Nike Run Club guided runs. He’s been part of my running journey from the very beginning, quite literally in my ears through so many runs, so meeting him in person was pretty surreal.

The second was meeting the beautiful Riley J, whose running journey I’ve been following and who inspires me more than she knows. She was out there tackling her very first half marathon and proving to herself that she can do hard things. So many women on that course were doing exactly the same, and I felt lucky to be among them.

Why I’ll keep coming back

For me, it’s all about what this run represents: women supporting women, celebrating female athletes and creating a space where we can run together without the usual worries that come with running after dark.

I’ll be back every year, without a doubt. And I genuinely think every woman should experience this at least once!

Follow Paige on Instagram: @paigeeefletcher

Written by Paige Fletcher

2 articles • Since 2025

Based in NSW, Paige loves the fast-raced energy of road running, but also finds joy and calmness in hitting the trails. She runs to provide to herself that she can do hard things, and loves to embrace challenges along the way. Running has helped shape who Paige is today!

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