Girl who inspired the ‘run like a girl’ TikTok trend has explained its heartbreaking origins

If you’re on TikTok, you’ve definitely seen the “run like a girl” trend that’s been circulating. But, what does it actually mean and why is it so important right now? And finally, who is the girl who inspired it all? Here’s a rundown of the “run like a girl” trend explained.

What is the ‘run like a girl’ trend?

The “run like a girl” trend is actually a heartbreaking movement where women come forward and share their experiences of running from serious situations where they felt their lives were in danger, and how running “like a girl” actually saved them from horrible fates. It’s been an eye-opening trend that has sat with so many women who have experienced the same thing.

@medeas_moment

Every woman has her story you just have to be willing to listen #fyp #girltok #runlikeagirl #saawarenes #awareness

♬ Originalton – ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆

However, the true origins of the trend started with a clip from a 2023 film called The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story. The film is based on a real life tale of a girl called Kara who escaped 18 hours of being kidnapped and assaulted by a serial killer.

There’s an intense moment in the film where she finally manages to escape the killer’s apartment and begins running for her life out of the complex to find help. One huge part of the scene is the fact that she not once looks back, and her survival instinct gives you chills.

@kararobinsonchamberlain

My love letter to the runners 🤍 . . Run like a girl trend #mystory #thegirlwhoescaped #runlikeagirl

♬ LABOUR – the cacophony – Paris Paloma

The real life Kara Robinson who the film was inspired by spoke out about the trend on TikTok and how the videos have “broken her heart.” She uses her platform as a safe place for women who have lived through similar experiences.

She shared a message for anyone who had contributed to the trend: “If you ran, you made it. You can stop running.”

For more like this plus all the latest news, drops, quizzes and memes, like The Tab on Facebook.