Nike After Dark Run brought power and community to the streets

Sunday took us to the Nike After Dark Run where the atmosphere felt charged from the moment we arrived. It was one of those events where you look around and instantly recognise faces from past projects. Runners we have worked with for years, people who have grown with the community, and groups who always bring the same high energy every time they show up. That alone made the night feel special.

The event has a strong purpose behind it. Originally created as a women focused experience, it celebrates empowerment, expression and connection. Running after dark carries real meaning. It represents pushing past limitations and reclaiming a space that many women do not always feel comfortable in. The run is more than kilometres. It is a statement.

Visually, the entire venue had a heavy red wash which made things interesting. Red lights everywhere, shadows shifting constantly and very little natural contrast. We had to work smart with flash and positioning to keep the energy of the scene without losing the mood of the event. The challenge actually made the shots more rewarding and gave the final photos a bold, gritty look that matched the night perfectly.

The atmosphere kept building as the run went on. Teammates shouting encouragement, groups pacing each other and the crowd lifting the energy every time someone pushed for a stronger finish. You could feel the motivation flying around the venue.

Nike created something powerful with After Dark. Not just a run, but a space where people showed up for each other with confidence, pride and serious hype. Nights like this leave a mark long after the last runner crosses the line