Night Running 101 | How To Run In The Dark

Unless you spend your time running entirely indoors over the winter, you will at some point have to run in the dark. Is it safe to run at night? And what can you do to improve the experience of running in the dark? We're here to answer your questions!

Running in the dark can be intimidating and even something we might shy away from, but hopefully, this video has dispelled those worries and given you the confidence to go away and embrace running in the darkness (wherever you live)!

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Music: Epidemic Sound
Positive House 3 - Niclas Gustavsson
Expanding - Johan Börjesson

Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images

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[oskarssativum]

I like to run on early mornings like 5 to 6 AM because there is no traffic, air is very fresh and it’s a great boost for whole day.

[mscardioqueen]

I love running in the dark, especially before sunrise. I saw my first falling star.

Running on the dark, I make sure to wear all my reflective gear and headlamps/headlights. But, I would love a neon running jacket as well - like what was wore in the video.

[wdwebb]

Great video and reminder of things to keep in mind when running at night. I love the different perspective you get when both running early in the morning before sunrise or late at night. I especially find that I am enjoying running on winter nights as it is so peaceful and quiet. Also, as mentioned in the video, there is not as much "hustle and bustle" of cars & people at these times.

[lg.studio]

I have been running during nigh about 80% of the year. I find it more calm and refreshing. This however has a very bad effect on my day-time races. I feel like running in the daylight is more exhausting. :(

[JerseyFanDD]

Good video! When running in the dark, my times are almost always worse as compared to when I run the same track when there is daylight.

[solarisfire]

I'd encourage people to use some sort of rear facing light as well if running on / near roads.

[patriot_killa]

I actually was a little hesitant to run at night until I watched this video

[SLCreations]

As a night time cycling commuter, it's upsetting to see how many runners don't wear any reflectors or lights. Even with my 800 lumen headlight, I can't see pedestrians until the last second.

When I go for a run at night, I attach my bicycle light to my finger and point it bqckwards. The elastic strap kind works wonders.

[lisapet]

Check local parks, and open air stadiums in your neighborhood. Those might be the better places than streets and trails at night. Assume pedestrian speed when approaching intersections, make eye contact with drivers before crossing, swirl behind the cars that are about to make a turn - the drivers cuold be busy watching ongoing traffic.
Good topic

[IronWill]

Yep, running on known routes, and with a head-torch for darker areas, is how I do night running! I'm lucky that there is a nice 7km running track near me :) As for music, I use bone conduction headphones, so I can always hear everything around me!!

[wacky_paintings]

When I run off road in the dark, I sometimes see what looks like two orange glowing marbles about thirty meters away. I think to myself, "what's that?" So I turn off my chest torch and they disappear. I switch it back on and they reappear. That's when I realize I'm being watched by something that I can't see, it's quite a thrill, lol.

[becmango]

Not gonna lie...looks pretty funny to see you guys run without being able to see your legs!

[zkennedy]

I pretty much run in the darkness at 00:00, no lights, no shirt nothing. I only carry my cellphone, put the time on, turn off the screen and go. I run in the forest and It's pretty beautiful, my only visual light is the moon, been doing this for the past 6 months, I don't recommend anyone to do this

[TruthFactsLM]

One of the main reasons why being retired on Jan 3d after 35 yrs, no more late runs . I have a good trail that is lighted, but bathrooms closed . So my runs will be between 9am and 5pm . And I use the heat as i do the hills . But when running after work when it grew darker then more planning as you have pointed out very well, great job again .

[Wigglythegreat]

I've got a story about cycling in the dark. It involves two German Shepherds chasing me and my buddy and just about needing a change of underpants.

[OlgasBritishFells]

I love running in the dark. I can't see very well in the daylight anyway, because my vision is terrible. So when people worry they can't see in the dark, it doesn't really make a difference to me as I can't see anyway and it doesn't make that much difference to me as I am used to not being able to see. I know it sounds silly, but it's like I feel more alive in the dark and run by feel.

[LabRynthisist]

you guys run with lights on? I run with a mask on so that the cold wont bother me anyway and the thing is, people run away from me.

[galagaming]

Instructions unclear. Tried running with a head torch. Hair caught on fire.

[bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

it was only recently on an evening run that i tried taking a shortcut across a field. I didnt realise that the field was waterlogged until too late and ended up running in to a ditch filled with muddy water. I ended up with mud to my shins with the inertia making me fall forward covering my arms and chest with mud too. i had to remove my shoes to pour out the water. Other night runs have involved falling over an invisible dog on the beach. Dog was with his/her owner but had no sort of light or reflective collar/coat. ran across my path and i didnt see him. I have also had ninja cyclists dressed all in black with no lights cycle in to the back of me on the pavement.










btw. have you injured your neck, Heather? Your neck and shoulders seemed quite stiff when you were running with your torso trying to compensate.

[joseochoa]

Lol I do none of this. If anything I wear all black and I have my headphones blasting at 3am to 4 am. It’s so much fun running in the dead of night. Factory worker so I do it when I get off of work.