Asian Women Run is a running group for Asian women of all ages, bringing women together to walk, jog and run in a supportive environment.
Why was Asian Women Run created?
The group was created from a conversation I had with my mum about representation, as we did not see Asian women represented in running, especially at races.
I wanted to help get more Asian women off the sofa and running. I started this community so more women feel safe and supported.
Many hadn’t run before, so for them to do a first run was a big thing. I wanted to create a community and I wanted us to feel seen and encouraged to move and be represented in running.
How did you understand what people wanted?
I knew from conversations I had with Asian women that they didn’t want to run in public—they didn’t feel safe. They wanted to do it as a group and in a park, as it felt safer.
They wanted a place where they could see people like them too.
The women I spoke to didn't feel confident running alone and faced many barriers, including putting everything else before themselves.
They wanted a place where they could make friends and be social afterwards. So it's a place to walk, run or jog, as well as chat after to tackle isolation and loneliness.
It's like a family, a community that encourages and inspires women to move.
We don't focus on a PB (personal best) , but just moving at your own pace.
Impact of Asian Women Run
One person said coming to Asian Women Run events has made her feel welcome, it's a place where she can walk a 5K and not feel the pressure of having to run.
She had been looking for something like this where there's a big community and everyone has a shared goal to keep active and get healthier.
She now regularly comes to Osterley park every Saturday to do a 5K and the monthly 5K events we organise.
The group has given her confidence and motivation to stay active. She loves coming.
Another lady has completed the couch to 5K program and she says she can now run 15K.
She loves running and she feels being part of the community helps her to run more.
She feels it's changed her life in a positive way and she enjoys the chats after the run, walk jog. She feels everyone has welcomed her and helped her to keep on running.
They feel part of a family community and everyone is welcoming.
They have said they are running more than ever, they are doing distances they thought they couldn’t.
They want to run more and it’s the community that’s encouraged this movement.
Advice for others
Start even if it’s just you.
I started with myself, my mum and a friend and now we have 100 people in my group.
If you want to make a change, be the change you want to see.
How does Asian Women run embody the 'social' action area?
This isn’t just a safe place it’s a social place for women to connect with other women, build friendships and have someone to run with.
After a 5K we come together and socialise at a coffee shop. It's become a place where people make friends and connect with each other.
It's a safe place and it brings women together to make new friends so they can socialise outside of running too.