There’s a story behind every run. And, this March, to celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re shining a light on the brilliant women of Runners Need. We believe anyone can run, and it’s never too late to start. Whether that’s the couch to 5K or entering your first ever race, we hope these stories empower you to step out of your comfort zone and reach your personal goals.  

In-store expert and boundary pusher, Claire, never fails to impress us with what she can do. She loves sharing her kit expertise and always finds time to encourage others to have a laugh. 

“I've run an ultra-marathon which was a huge achievement, but my biggest was running the Welsh Road Marathon. I enlisted the help and guidance of a coach and stuck to the sometimes gruelling training plan to try and achieve the best time possible. As a result, I ran my first marathon at 43 and did it in 4hr 5mins. My aim is to run a sub-4-hour marathon before I hit 50!”  

The best way to start running is to find the right kit for your running needs. So, visit one of our stores to get free gait analysis. We’ll find you the perfect shoe that complements your running style.  

Toni supported her visually impaired friend to complete a technical cross-country race. This year, they're competing alongside each other in the Chester Marathon. And, we can’t wait to hear how they both get on. 

“My biggest achievement would be finishing this year's cross-country season and guiding my visually impaired friend across some very technical courses for the first time. Next stop, we are off to complete the Chester Marathon together, my third marathon but first as a guide!”  

Our Marketing Manager, Katie, explains how having a good community around you pushes you to be your best. We couldn’t agree more. 

“Running a sub-4-hour marathon in 2011 was a huge achievement for me. It was a long time ago now, but it's significant for me because it was the first time I'd taken on a challenge where I needed to put in hours of hard training to get the result.  

Also, it made me realise what I was mentally and physically capable of when I set my mind to something. Since then, I've not been afraid of taking on a physical challenge and I still like to push myself out of my comfort zone with trail running races and triathlons.  

I enjoy training with others and find that being part of a running club helps motivate me to get out of the house, show up to training, and then push myself to work a little bit harder at the sessions. I love entering races with friends and turning them into a weekend mini-break, so we're all working towards the same race and can celebrate afterwards.” 

Looking for your run community? Join us at one of our Runners Need Run Clubs. Meet new people, pick up tips and be guided by a fully qualified run leader. 

Have these stories inspired you to get out and run? Whether you run for the fun of it or about to sign up for your next marathon like Claire, get expert advice on choosing the right shoes for your running style with free gait analysis in-store. Struggling to decide what kit you need? Find your nearest store and speak to one of our experts.