Light the Night is a concept born in 2023 from a conversation between two friends: Rebecca Taylor of SOAR Women and Flo Papougnot of Your Friendly Runners and Hot Boys Athletics. It’s a collective movement that creates an opportunity for women to feel free and safe, when running in the dark. A chance to fill dark, intimidating spaces with light and noise.

Led by Mhairi Mclennan of Kyniska Advocacy, we’ll reclaim one of Edinburgh’s most iconic running routes - Arthur’s Seat - before settling into an evening of music, joy, and laughter.

Dress Code: Festive Lights

Wear your brightest colours, reflective clothing, a headtorch, trail-ready shoes, and lots of festive lights.

Key details:

• Meet at INTERVAL, 220 Easter Road, Edinburgh at 6pm for bag drop

• Depart 6:30pm for a 7.5km loop of Arthur’s Seat

• Join us post-run from 7:30pm at Old Eastway Tap

• Women led, but not women exclusive. We will run together as one group. All paces and all runners welcome.

• This event will be photographed/filmed.

Having a robust understanding of athlete welfare and wellbeing is fundamental to an athlete’s progression. Information from National Governing Bodies and coaching qualifications go some way to addressing this, but there are gaps in the guidance, leaving many coaches and parents lacking in the knowledge and confidence to support their athletes in the safest way.

Recognising this, athletes Mhairi Maclennan and Kate Seary are championing the importance of a holistic approach to athlete welfare and safety, that has wellbeing at its heart. Via their non-profit, Kyniska Advocacy, they host webinars and run workshops to help coaches and parents navigate challenging conversations around athlete health.

In this presentation they will share:

• Practical tips to arm you with the knowledge and confidence to support your athletes in pursuing their dreams, whilst also safely enjoying their time in sport.

• Their athlete welfare toolkit which provides clear and succinct guidance around safeguarding red flags and processes.

• Details of their athlete support service offering emotional support and practical advice from lived experience.

• Information on the latest policy action in this space.

Kyniska Advocacy hosted a roundtable panel event about stamping out sexual abuse in sport in the UK and around the World.

We’ll be joined by Kadija Richards (Athlete Integrity Unit), Dino Nocivelli (Child sexual abuse in sport lawyer), Dr Melanie Lang (Reader/ Associate Prof - safeguarding, child protection & children’s rights in sport, gender-based violence in sport), Marilyn Okoro OLY (International Athlete & Kyniska Advocacy Ambassador) and Jennifer Smith (Founder - Safeguarding Today).

The panellists will be asked a series of questions to explore how and where we can change the landscape of sport in the UK and wider, in order to better protect, respect and celebrate all sportspeople.

Due to the sensitive nature of this roundtable, if you would like the recording of this event, please email mhairi.maclennan@kyniskaadvocacy.com

An open and honest conversation with athletes and experts about female athlete health

We'll be joined by athletes, Issey Kyson and Marylin Okoro, and specialists in female athlete health, Dr Natalie Brown and Melissa Lodge to discuss the nuances of female athlete health, and answer all of your questions.

Come to our virtual drinks launch event where we will shout about our amazing ambassadors, explain more about Our Story and Our Work, and leave you with take-away action points to help fight the good fight!

With guest speakers (to be announced soon) and live poetry readings this is not an event to be missed!