Female Runners Light up the Night at Nike After Dark Tour

The second edition of the Nike After Dark Tour took place on Saturday, bringing a surge of energy to Shanghai's night streets.

Nearly 3,800 female runners took part, alongside a group of leading athletes and public figures.

Among them were Asia's first grand slam singles champion Li Na, runners Zhang Deshun, Yin Xiaoyu, Huang Xuemei and Ma Xiuzhen, para athlete Zhou Xia, as well as supermodel Ju Xiaowen and singer Veegee Xu Ruoqiao.

The race set off at 9pm from Century Square on Nanjing Road E. The 10km route passed the Bund and followed the Huangpu riverside before finishing at Shanghai Expo Park.

This year, the Nike After Dark Tour introduced an innovative "Sisterhood" format, allowing women to sign up and race in pairs, running side by side and crossing the finish line together.

For the first time, the event also incorporated a runner's perspective into its livestream.

Through real-time, first-person views, the excitement and emotional moments of the race were shared beyond the course, breaking spatial boundaries and enabling more women to experience the power and joy of running.

Nike provided multi-dimensional training support ahead of the race.

The "Nike Run Hai Lane" hub hosted a four-week offline After Dark Tour training camp, with Zhang Deshun and Yin Xiaoyu participating in both the opening and closing sessions to guide runners through structured training.

Six Nike stores across Shanghai launched specialized night running training programs led by NRC (Nike Run Club) coaches, helping runners build consistent preparation routines.

Online, official training plans and challenge missions were simultaneously released on the Keep App Nike Run Club platform, encouraging broader participation among female runners.

From April 23 to 25, race kit pick up services were available at Century Square and the Nike HOI 001 store. Each race kit was thoughtfully prepared, adding a personalized touch to every runner's night race journey.

Nike extended the energy of the night run into the post-race area with a limited-time Nike After Dark pop-up store, dedicated photo moments, and a celebration party.

Through the After Dark Tour, Nike continues to build a comprehensive ecosystem centered around female runners.

Upcoming events in more cities will continue to carry this energy forward, inspiring a new generation of runners and creating a space where women feel seen, supported, and motivated.