Nike Announces Its Global ‘Ultimate Girls’ Weekend’ Race Series for Women
Nike has announced its 2025 After Dark Tour, a global race series consisting of nighttime running events the Swoosh stated was designed to be “the ultimate girls’ weekend.”
The After Dark Tour will feature 10Ks and half marathons in six cities: Sydney, Shanghai, Seoul, Mumbai, Los Angeles and Mexico City. And aside from being run-focused, Nike explained that the events will also reflect “the convergence of nightlife, running, community, culture and style” and aim to “feed the passion athletes have for sport, connection and shared experiences.”
“We’re creating a space where women runners feel welcome and empowered,” Nike vice president of global women’s running and training Seema Simmons said in a statement. “The After Dark Tour is about more than crossing a finish line — it’s about joining a community that supports and uplifts you, no matter where you are in your running journey. We’re inviting all women to come as they are and discover the strength within themselves and the power of our collective energy.”
Each race weekend, Nike explained, will include product and style experiences, coaching guidance and motivation, race day preparation services, recovery zones and post-race celebrations.
As for the training that begins before race day, runners can access After Dark Tour training plans via the Nike Run Club App with instructions from Nike Run Coach Diljeet Taylor. The Swoosh explained the plans were designed to build runners’ endurance for 10K (which spans six weeks), half marathon (12 weeks of instruction) or both distances.
“Getting athletes to the starting line knowing that their coach believes in them is the best race day preparation,” Taylor said in a statement. “I am so excited to be part of this journey where I have the opportunity to motivate and train an entire community of runners that maybe wouldn’t have sought out a goal like this, and I get to be someone who helps them set and chase that goal and cross the finish line. To me, that’s very humbling and fulfilling.”
Also before race day, the Nike Run Club App have local experiences and challenges in their neighborhoods globally, as well as localized tips and the ability to share real-time location with friends and family.
The tour begins on April 12 with a 21K in Sydney, followed by a 10K in Shanghai on April 27. Then, there will be 10Ks in Seoul and Mumbai on May 10, a 13.1K in Los Angeles on june 7 and a 21K in Mexico City on June 21.
Registration is open at Afterdarktour.nike.com.
At the end of last year, Nike revealed its plans for 2025 and beyond to gain ground in running. Specifically, Nike has simplified its line to three pillars so runners can find the right shoe for them. The pillars are supportive cushioning (which will feature its Structure franchise), responsive cushioning (which will feature its Pegasus franchise) and maximum cushioning (which will feature its Vomero franchise). Nike also stated 2025 is the year of Vomero, with the Vomero 18 coming in at $150.
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.