Take Back the Track campaign grows into national movement against violence and harassment

Joseph Guenzler Published February 10, 2026 at 11.30am (AWST)

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More than 70 Take Back the Track events are planned for 15 February. Image: Take Back The Track.

This report includes references to gender-based violence.

Thousands of runners across Australia will take part on Sunday, 15 February, in the second National Take Back the Track Day.

More than 70 events across the country will call for an end to violence and harassment faced by women and gender-diverse runners.

The day was founded in 2025 by Gunditjmara Keerray Woorroong and Djap Wurrung runner Sissy Austin and has grown from a community-led action into a nationwide movement.

The 2026 event marks three years since Ms Austin was assaulted while running near Ballarat, with organisers saying women and gender-diverse people across Australia are still regularly assaulted while running.

The campaign is calling for women and gender-diverse people to feel safe while running in public space.

Ms Austin described the aim of the day and what it is seeking to change.

"No one should have to plan their run around fear," Ms Austin said.

"Take Back the Track is about saying clearly and collectively that women and gender-diverse people deserve to feel safe in public space.

"This is about pressuring our society to change the conditions that make running unsafe, not asking runners to change their behaviour."

*Back of the TBTT shirt, worn by Sissy Austin. (Image: TBTT)*

Participants are invited to walk, run or gather together to reclaim public space and visibility, with new groups continuing to register events across the country.

In 2025, National Take Back the Track Day brought together hundreds of community members in over 100 locations nationwide.

Organisers say the national day is intended to raise awareness of harassment and violence, while also celebrating why women and gender diverse people love running and the reasons it is worthy of being protected.

Ms Austin linked the movement to running and recovery.

"Take Back the Track was born from a pure love of running and an acknowledgment of how worthy it is of being protected from gender based violence," Ms Austin said.

"It is a movement that is demanding the belonging of women and gender-diverse members of the running community, on bush tracks, city streets, at sunrise and sunset, without experiencing (or the fear of) violence or harassment.

"I am a runner and a survivor of a running attack, please know that you're not alone, we are rising, healing and running together."

Those interested can register via the Take Back The Track website.