Today is International Women’s Day, when female accomplishments in all walks of life are celebrated around the world. When it comes to running, championing women is especially important since they face so many barriers to taking part – from lack of self-belief, to childcare, to health and safety concerns.
We spoke to 10 women who were able to overcome such issues and discover a love of running thanks to their fellow female friends who have inspired, empowered and supported them on their running journeys. Whether that's by helping them Best wireless headphones they never thought possible or getting them through a particularly difficult time in life, these women discovered a running buddy is so much more than someone you run with...
Running brought Lydia Norman and Becky Franks together in 2020 and they soon became firm friends. They went on to set up a women’s community running group to help even more women become active. They say...
‘We met at a local running club and when lockdown hit a few weeks later, we were started doing our daily exercise together. We bonded over the countless miles and became each other’s biggest cheerleaders, inspiring one another to set some big challenges for 2022, including an Ironman. It was on a run where we first thought of creating a women's community running group in our local area of Salford. Addressing the barriers to physical activity for women is important to us, and so runtheworldMCR was founded.
‘We aim to provide a supportive, friendly community where women can feel safe, confident and build friendships. It doesn't matter how fast or slow you are – nobody is ever left behind. As well as our weekly runs, we have a book club, monthly socials and have organised a volunteer takeover at our local parkrun. We are so proud of the community we have created and feel honoured to be able to run with so many amazing women.’
After Joanne Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer, she found a new running buddy and friend for life. She says...
‘A mutual friend introduced me to Cath Thompson after we had both been diagnosed with breast cancer. We instantly became friends as we bonded over our love of running. Cath inspired me daily with her resilience and determination to succeed. We both ran prior to our diagnosis but running took on a whole new meaning for both of us once treatment had finished. We signed up for the Manchester Marathon in 2021 and Cath was my go-to person if I was beating myself up during, or after, a tough run. She would remind me who I am and how far I have come. And it’s not just on my running journey that Cath inspires me – in my day-to-day life she has undoubtedly made me a better person. She has made me see my worth and always puts a smile on my face.’
Fran Gamble is setting PBs she never thought possible thanks to her super friend and coach, Hayley Pegg. She says:
‘Hayley is a former colleague, now close friend, who is an inspirational woman in running – not just to me but also to many others. She is an exceptional runner herself, as well as being a coach, volunteer and team manager, all while leading a sports department at a busy independent school. I have no idea how she does it all!
‘She offered to coach me and within the space of a few months I have gone from aiming for a sub-four-hour marathon time to having an outside chance of achieving the 3.20 qualifying time for England Masters. She sets me targets that seem way out of reach but somehow she knows me better than I know myself. Recently a junior athlete she coaches achieved 3rd place at the National Cross Country Championships. Hayley is real trailblazer as a female coach in a sport heavily dominated by male coaches. She is so knowledgeable in everything she does. I’m learning so much from her and she’s so inspiring.’
Heather Hann’s running buddies helped her to get back into sport after she had her first child, and she went on to set a Guinness World Record. She says:
‘Running had always been a big part of my life, but after becoming a mum, I wondered how I would ever get back to being a runner again. I had found pregnancy and labour physically and emotionally draining. Followed by the sleepless nights and breastfeeding, the idea of getting fit again seemed impossible. I also wondered how I would fit it in without childcare while my husband worked all day. A few months later, a good friend offered me a running buggy she was no longer using. It was the solution I had been looking for. I had my freedom to run back.
‘I asked my running friends if they wanted to join me on some buggy-friendly routes and our group runs became a highlight of the week. I relished the opportunity to talk about non-mum-related things and dream up new running goals, while they occasionally took turns to help me on pram-pushing duties. With the support of my running friends who encouraged me, trained with me and acted as witnesses on the day, in 2021 I set a new Guinness World Record over 10K pushing a pram. My friends helped show me that you don’t have to give up on your running dreams when you become a mum.’
Sarah Canning discovered a new way of life – and made many more friends – after her school-mate Alyssa inspired her to run. She says:
‘After a surprise diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and gluten intolerance I wanted to improve my health and wellbeing. My oldest friend from school, Alyssa, had taken up running a few years earlier and I watched her go from being inactive and unconfident to an awesome marathon runner. I was so inspired. I thought, “If she can, so can I.” I enlisted her help to run 5K. Once I had conquered that, there was no stopping me, and I’ve since run half marathons and climbed mountains.
‘Now I love being outdoors, feeling fit and strong, and my arthritis has gone into remission. I’ve also made many more female friends who I love to share long, chatty runs with. Being out on a run together gives us the chance to share all our news and support each other with our work and family challenges. I can’t imagine not having them – or running – in my life now.’
The kindness of a stranger helped Alicia Coote finish her first race, and make a new friend. She says...
‘My very first 5K race was brutal. I was going to give up because my nerves were getting the better of me, my legs felt like they didn’t work and I had a stitch. Then an amazing woman ran next to me for a few strides. “Keep going,” she told me as she ran past. She then looked back and smiled. That tiny interaction got me through to the finish line. Later I managed to find her on social media. Her name was Lorna Mann and was she a running coach. I got in touch to thank her and we have been friends ever since.
‘She has become my role model, my biggest supporter and someone who I feel so lucky to know. When I run a marathon for the first time, I know she’ll be there beside me in training and on the day. She believes in me on days when I think the world will break me down and my legs don’t want to walk. She really is one of life’s magic people.’
Dee Holden says she wouldn’t have achieved any of her running accomplishments if it wasn’t for her two best friends. She says...
‘My two best friends, Emma and Rebecca, are my biggest supporters and inspirations in running. If it hadn’t been for their belief in me, I am sure I would never have finished the races I have done. When I did my first half marathon – and all my races since – they supported and encouraged me through the training and on race day.
‘I have Crohn’s disease, and after I had bowel resection surgery, they were there for me in hospital and when I was allowed back home after the operation. When I was ready to exercise again, they walked, then ran with me, helping me build my fitness and confidence back up. I know I couldn’t have done it without them. They have been through everything with me and I couldn’t imagine my life without them.’
Clare Wood wouldn’t have started – or continued – running if it wasn’t for her sisters, Lil and Kate. She says...
‘I don’t think I would have even considered running if my twin sister, Lil, and younger sister, Kate, hadn’t suggested we do Couch To 5K together. I found it difficult and could easily have given up, but they both inspired and supported me to keep trying. I watched them go on to finish trail marathons and ultras and was full of admiration. They were unstoppable, strong and tough.
‘Their determination made me determined to try harder. They convinced me I was capable of running an ultra. Kate ran with me on the day as I was so nervous. She pushed me all the way – literally up one massive hill – and I couldn’t have finished without her. I’m so lucky to have two sisters who are so supportive, determined and fearless.’
Daisy Hulton is constantly inspired and supported by her friend Jo Wilkinson, a former elite runner turned British Athletics coach. She says...
‘Who couldn’t be inspired by Jo? Her positive attitude and joy for running is contagious. We met when I started going to group runs she organised where we lived, and then we started running together socially. When I mentioned I was thinking about doing an ultra she was really supportive and helped me find my confidence to do it. We then signed up to do the Suffolk 24-hour race together, taking it in turns to run five-mile laps in a forest.
‘Throughout the race, Jo inspired me to do my best and to push through when it got tough, especially during the challenging night-running section. Her sense of humour and love of a cup of tea and cake made the whole experience one of the best races I have ever done. I’m looking forward to many more running adventures together in the future.’
Adventure runner Rosie Swale-Pope MBE inspired Nikki Love to run 63 marathons in 63 days, and then became her friend and mentor. Nikki says:
‘interval sessions to help you bag that PB Sophie Raworth on her lessons from injury. It lit a fire in my belly to take on my own adventure. It was years before I could attempt my 63 marathons in 63 days, and in all that time I remained inspired and impressed by Rosie’s further achievements. She followed me on social media and I was delighted and encouraged as she commented and liked my posts as I ticked each marathon off.
‘They say you should never meet your heroes, but my partner arranged for me to meet Rosie after I had completed my 63 marathons, and she was all and more than I had hoped. She was thrilled for me and shared her personal stories, which blew my mind. Since then, she has become my cheerleader, mentor and friend. I am forever grateful that she was ambitiously adventurous enough to light the path for me and other women to follow in her footsteps. It is my hope I can do the same for the next generation of girls and women.’
