Young B’lureans are going on night runs

Some youngsters in Bengaluru are swapping morning jogs for night sprints. College students and young professionals told Metrolife they find night running more convenient due to lighter traffic, fewer people on the streets, cooler weather and also because that’s when they find free time.

Rohit, a BBA student, heads out for a 45-minute run around S G Palya after his evening gym session. He prefers running on the streets over using a treadmill. “I don’t run during the day because, first, I’m busy with college, and second, the traffic is too heavy,” he explains.

Engineering graduate Pranav N took up night running six months ago. A resident of Banaswadi, he jogs for 15 minutes around Rajkumar Park at 10.30 pm after dinner. “The streets are peaceful and quiet at night, with fewer people around,” he says.

Amit (name changed), a corporate professional in his early 20s, shares a similar sentiment. “There’s something magical about running at night — the silence, the cool breeze, the city lights,” says the Koramangala resident. Because of rising temperatures and his hectic work schedule, he recently switched from early-morning runs to late-night jogs.

While some consider night running unsafe, Aditi, who jogs with her roommate around 8.30 pm, hasn’t faced any issues. She runs along the stretch between BTM Layout and Tavarekere. “The streets are well-lit, and there’s enough activity even late at night,” says the corporate professional.

Sarah Fathima, DCP (southeast), says those opting for nighttime workouts can do so without fear because the police conduct regular night patrols. 

Experts: ‘Preferably during day’

Athletics coach and former athlete Bindu Rani G advises against night
running. “It disrupts the body’s metabolic rate,” she warns.

Ajay Jaishankar, centre head and mentor at JJs Running, a training academy for endurance running, agrees. “Running is an intense activity, and the body is most relaxed to handle its impact in the morning,” he reasons. 

High-intensity activity should be avoided three to four hours before bedtime, says Dr Faraz Khan, a specialist in internal medicine. It can disrupt the circadian rhythm, which affects the secretion of sleep, growth, stress and inflammation associated hormones during deep sleep. For those unable to run during the day, he suggests starting with brisk walking, progressing to fast walking, then running, and finally cooling down. “Also make sure to practice meditation and sleep hygiene before sleep,” he emphasises.

Dr Srinand Srinivas, a sports and exercise medicine physician, says that working out in the evening is better than not exercising at all. He shares a simple rule: the closer you are to bedtime, the lighter your workout should be. The goal is to allow enough time for the body to recover. “If you can finish an intense workout by 7-7.30 pm, that’s good enough,” he explains.

However, experts agree that morning exercise is optimal. It not only provides exposure to early morning sunlight but also boosts mood.