BBCWomen runners in East Yorkshire say they feel “intimidated” by men while running at night as research highlights a fear of exercising after dark.
Members of Brough Fitmums & Friends said the harassment meant they now ran in groups and used tracking devices.
A survey found 60% of women fear sexual harassment while exercising at night.
One Fitmums & Friends member said: “If you find something you love it should be something you feel free to do whenever you want.”
The new poll also found that 48% of women preferred not to be active outside after dark and that 46% changed their outdoor exercise routines during winter to accommodate a perceived “curfew”.
Brough Fitmums & Friends coordinator Angela Eary told the BBC that even though they ran in groups, the women were still “shouted and beeped at really loudly”.
She said: “While we’re in a group we can laugh it off, but if I was running on my own I would feel different.
“In other areas in Hull groups of youths in corners harassing us. It’s intimidating.
“It’s frustrating and annoying and when I’m running alone, I won’t go off the beaten track and stay to lit areas.”
Ms Eary said Fitmums members also stayed safe by wearing high-visibility clothing, making sure all routes were pre-planned and each member was tracked with a “mumbot” app.
Run leader Sophie Hoggarth said she found the new data “worrying” and advised women to run in groups and have up-to-date technology so they could be tracked.
Kate Dale, Sport England’s Director of Marketing, added: “The fact that women can’t have access to something that is so important for mental and physical wellbeing for half the year is infuriating.
