Dash in the Dark

Dash in the Dark returns to Southampton Common on Saturday 19 September, a glow-themed 5km night run for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. It starts at 6:00pm, so you'll be setting off just as the light fades over the Common, which is exactly when the glow-in-the-dark side of things kicks in.

The whole thing is built around a relaxed brief: walkers, joggers, runners and dancers all find their own pace around the course. With glowing accessories and brightly dressed participants, it's more of a sociable evening out than a timed race. It's open to families, groups of friends and anyone after a charity challenge rather than a PB, and the event village welcomes beginners alongside more experienced runners. You don't need to be a regular runner to get involved.

Every participant gets a free Dash in the Dark T-shirt and a runner number, and there's a glow-in-the-dark medal waiting at the finish line. All the money raised goes to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, helping them keep up their life-saving work across the region. It's a straightforward way to put a bit of effort in for a good cause, with the glow-themed atmosphere doing a fair bit of the heavy lifting.

Entries are £20 for adults and £16 for children aged 5 to 15. The start is at Southampton Common, The Avenue, Southampton, SO15 7NN, with the run kicking off at 6:00pm on Saturday 19 September.