International Women's Day 2026: Celebrating women striding forwards together
International Women’s Day (8 March) is a day dedicated to the celebration of women’s achievements and advancement of gender equality. This year’s theme, Give to Gain, emphasises the power of reciprocity and support to bring about change and strive towards gender parity together. Giving time, support and encouragement can help the whole athletics and running community to rise together.
Let’s meet some of the inspirational women from across our sport who give their time and knowledge to give others the opportunity to reach their goals.
Empowering women in athletics and running
At this year’s National Running Show, England Athletics hosted a conversation with Charlie Watson (aka @therunnerbeans), Sophie Power, and Jo Pavey on empowering women in athletics and running. The panel reflected on barriers within the sport, opportunities, and the importance of mentoring the next generation.
Sophie’s advice to women and girls starting out in running is,
Hear more from our inspirational women“It’s your journey. Do it your way. Mix in other sports, walk the hills, choose challenges that make your heart sing. Make running a friend for life.”
Seeing is believing
Having been inspired by her own coaches, masters athlete Krystle is now a PE teacher and recognises the importance of acting as a role model for the girls she is teaching.
“It is also important to promote girls coming through. I see it all the time where girls are put off doing athletics or doing any sport because they think I can't do it or I don't want to. They can and if they see people doing those things, it makes them think actually, it's something that I'm interested in doing.”
Read Krystle's storyThe power of sport in changing our lives
From struggling to step foot in the hall to gaining confidence in coaching the younger athletes, Megan has flourished thanks to support from Fitmums and Friends. Last year she won the Newcomer to Volunteering award at the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Volunteer Awards and this is what she said volunteering means to her:
"Volunteering to me means helping others, especially like the volunteers who helped me when I needed it. It makes me feel proud to look what the children have achieved and knowing I have helped them in some sense gives me a lot of happiness. I am enjoying the coaching journey so far, and seeing the children grow is the best part."
Read Megan's storyGrowing opportunities for the next generation
Experienced officials do not just play a key role in the development of newer officials, but also without them many competitions that help athletes’ progression would not be possible. We caught up with two COfSecs to find out how giving their time helps the development of others.
Christel has been an official for the past seven years and loves the opportunity to give back to the sport and provide opportunities for other women to develop.
Read Christel's story“I gained my knowledge from, not only practically officiating, but through the help and support of others willing to pass on their knowledge to up-and-coming officials like myself. Sharing my knowledge is vital in supporting and inspiring other women to grow in confidence, develop their skills and progress as an athletics official, for which I feel incredibly proud to be able to do.”
Carol is an experienced official and wears many hats within our sport. Through her different roles she sees that she has a chance to make a difference and inspire young athletes and officials.
“By sharing our knowledge and the encouragement given to us with others, we can give equal opportunities to all.”
Read Carol's storyLet’s Lift the Curfew
Even though the evenings are starting to get brighter, let’s keep the conversation going about women feeling safe when running in the dark. It was great to see such a passionate response to the Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign back in October 2025 with over 11,500 runner taking part. It is important we keep talking about it to make our sport inclusive and a safe space where women can thrive.
Run Leader Mentor, Michelle, shared the power that women running together can have not only in her RunTogether group, but across the country.
“One of our ladies said recently, ‘I didn’t just get fitter, I got braver’. And that’s exactly it! When women run together, we don’t just lift the curfew, we lift each other.”