The rave run club making exercise at night safer

One of Worcestershire's newest run clubs, which mixes rave culture and exercise, has made keeping fit during dark evenings safer for women, children, and even dogs and men.

Tom Adams, a stonemason by trade, started Worcester's Rave Run Club in November with the goal of having "an impact on people's lives".

The 44-year-old leads the neon-cladded club, which meets every other Saturday, by running with a 15kg (33lbs) speaker that blasts dance and party music on his back.

"I think especially during the winter people struggle to get out and I think a lot of people, even men, don't feel safe out running at night time, especially along the river as it can be very intimidating," he said.

Mr Adams, who is from Worcester, added: "We have a rear marker because it is at night-time and that is a reason why a lot of women don't feel safe running."

The first meet up saw about 70 people attend, with more than 130 at the second and 200 at the latest event - all following Mr Adams around his 5km route.

"I think the reason it is getting bigger is because it's completely open to everybody, people run with their dogs and the youngest person we had on the last one was eight years old," he said.

"She ran at the back with her mum and they came from Hereford to do it. They messaged me afterwards to tell me how helpful it was and how much they enjoyed it."

Mr Adams said he had "never expected" his club to grow so quickly but admitted each time he is worried no one will turn up, making him "look like a wally".

He said: "I was thinking I could be stood there on my own with a speaker on my back, but no, everybody is really supportive of it and it just keeps growing bigger and bigger."

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