adidas Runners is an international running community that officially began in 2014 with the founding of Boost Communities in Berlin and Paris, later becoming adidas Runners in 2016 with the launch of the first adidas Runners City community in Berlin.
In 2018, the ‘RUN FOR THE OCEANS’ initiative was launched, followed in 2020 by the formation of the Diversity Advisory Council during the global Black Lives Matter protests. This council initiated local projects in support of marginalized groups worldwide.
adidas Runners is not just about personal growth but about building a world around us that we are proud to be part of. No matter the distances we run, every race eventually ends. But our sense of community does not. This is why we are dedicated to using the adidas Runners platform to create positive change for the social and environmental issues that affect us all.
The With Women We Run campaign was launched in 2022 to actively promote diversity, equality, and inclusion. By 2023, these events expanded and are now present in more and more adidas Runners (aR) communities worldwide.
November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. As we know, running is more than physical movement; it is an expression of many emotions, such as freedom, strength, and joy. However, for too long, the simple act of running has been overshadowed by fear and constant concern for safety.
We remain united in our determination to challenge this reality. We believe that every woman has the right to run freely and confidently, knowing she has the support of a strong and caring community.
In this context, the With Women We Run project in November featured a global agenda of events dedicated to highlighting the ongoing challenges related to women’s safety in running, while also celebrating the incredible progress made in adidas Runners communities. Moreover, we continue to emphasize the significant role allies play in creating safety and equal access to running for women worldwide.
Discrimination and gender-based violence remain major issues in Romania. Although our local efforts with the WWWRproject in 2023 have not gone unnoticed and progress has been made, there is still a need for more education and involvement.
This year, aR Bucharest aimed to show its support for the global movement to combat violence against women and continue to make a positive difference with a new series of WWWR-dedicated events designed to raise awareness and educate on this topic, promote allyship, and encourage more people to get involved:
1. Educational Workshop with Simona Maria Chirciu
Simona, an independent activist fighting against gender-based discrimination and violence, was the first person in Romania to conduct national research on street harassment. Together with Senator Oana Bîzgan, she initiated the amendment to Law 202/2002 on equal opportunities for men and women.
The workshop, open to participants of all genders, included an educational segment presenting updated statistics and data on street harassment in Romania, followed by an interactive session. Activities included Q&A sessions, personal experiences shared by participants, mindfulness games, and the screening of a short film on street harassment in collaboration with F-Sides Cineclub.
2. Trust Yoga Session
This new event aimed to promote and strengthen trust within our community, led by coach Alina Grecu. The session began with special trust-building exercises in pairs or small groups and continued with a regular yoga routine featuring flexibility and coordination exercises tailored for runners.
3. Ally Training
Led by aR Bucharest captain Anca Bucur, this session invited participants of all genders to engage in special mini-games combining strength, coordination, and bodyweight exercises. Anca guided the participants throughout the entire training session.
4. Self-Defense Workshop
This workshop, held at the Bukan School of Krav Maga, was exclusively for women. Led by a Krav Maga instructor, the event featured demonstrations and explanations of various self-defense techniques, allowing participants to practice movements and build self-confidence.
5. Ally Support Program
At every weekly community run, at least three men volunteered to run along the 3-5 km route commonly preferred by women in Herăstrău Park, ensuring everyone felt safe. This program, initiated during the 2023 WWWR campaign, has become a permanent activation aimed at creating a habit within our community.
6. WWWR-Dedicated Running Session
At this final run of the WWWR initiatives within the aR Bucharest community, participants were encouraged to run in mixed groups and to bring at least one ally to the awareness race. The volunteers from the Ally Support Program were acknowledged and thanked, with all allies encouraged to continue their efforts.
Around the world, stories of courage, resilience, and solidarity remind us of the power we hold when we come together. These stories inspire us, proving the strength within our community—a power that grows with every step we take, every voice we amplify, and every barrier we overcome.
We are not just participants in this movement; we are its leaders. We are committed to creating spaces where every runner feels safe, supported, and celebrated. Together, we will continue moving forward, ensuring that running remains a celebration of freedom for everyone.
