Braving the dark and the rain for a boutique run
Boutique sport is your fit equivalent of a hip pop-up shop: get your name on the guest list, meet at a random location, be surrounded by other enthusiasts and you'll enjoy a safe run that beats your regular jog in the park.
We went along to find out more... At this event, instead of sporting designer chic, the crowd is kitted out in a uniform of high-vis bibs. That’s the rule of these After Dark Runs – be safe! More mantras? Meet up! Women only!
Boutique Sport runs pop-up fitness session to empower women through group participation. The hope is that once the organised sessions, lasting six weeks, come to an end, female participants will become confident enough to stick with it, continue to meet up and lead their own sessions.
The meeting point for my first Boutique Sport pop-up run is the health store Whole Foods Market, at Piccadilly Circus. Although this oversubscribed event had a reserve list of over 40 women, I’d expected the heavy rain to hamper turn-out. Yet 30 hardcore ladies braved the cold, pulled fluorescent vests over our winter running kit and splashed through a warm-up in the puddles outside.
The poorly-lit route would be a no-go for most women on an eery winter’s night. But en masse we were able to enjoy a refreshing 7k run around Hyde Park and the Serpentine. What’s more, the crowd of runners - split into ability groups - was too busy chatting to realise how wet and cold we all were.
Boutique Sport events are a great way to work out, meet like-minded women and feel safe as you run – and the bonus is it’s completely free.
After Dark Runs are currently taking place evey Monday at 6.30pm from Wholefoods, Piccadilly Circus, London, until 3 December, before moving onto the next yet-to-be-announced pop-up location.
For more information visit www.boutiquesport.co.uk or to take part email info@boutiquesport.com
