There is strength in numbers, so we sent an open invitation and gathered a group together in London to start International Women’s Day with a common goal, and it instantly became much greater than turning up to a 7am training run and giving props all ‘round for not hitting the snooze button.

Shortly after sunrise a dynamic collective of women gathered in full force outside inner London coffee roaster Origin Coffee, perhaps surprising regular customers with the turnout and unified excitement for the 4.5-mile International Women’s Day Run hosted by WMN RUN; a (free) training run for all abilities, in partnership with the Hackney Festival of Fitness.

The WMN RUN is a women’s community movement lead by founder Sorrell Walsh, 28, who was inspired to create a safe and encouraging open platform supporting, celebrating and encouraging women to face a goal they may have never considered, whilst working together to get there.

is a women’s community movement lead by founder Sorrell Walsh, 28, who was inspired to create a safe and encouraging open platform supporting, celebrating and encouraging women to face a goal they may have never considered, whilst working together to get there.

A writer, long distance runner and sub 2.55 marathoner, Walsh stands for equal footings, in every aspect of life with a passion for championing female endurance; “The goal for us all, ahead of distance, and alongside the journey travelled by our feet, is change. The gender participation within endurance sport finds itself within the realm of 80% male, and 20% female, and we want to raise the latter to an equal level, dispersing boundaries with the power in our legs”.

Women from across London rose to the (now weekly, same place, same time) 4.5-mile challenge which begins beneath Southwark’s railway arches and sweeps past Borough Market across to the River Thames before circling back from Tower Bridge. It features a balanced abundance of ‘social miles’ and a competitive edge; there is a pace for everyone, led by Hackney Half Pacer Amelia Ritchie, also co-leader of WMN RUN!

KIND snacks; handmade with our favourite ingredients including whole almonds, cranberries, pecans, cashews & coconut, partnered with the International Women’s Day Run, handing out free nutritious snack bars to wearied runners after the finish line, a kind act inspired by their own ‘Kind Movement’.

This May (17-19) the Hackney Festival of Fitness returns for the third successful year enabling runners of all paces to train for and participate in the 5k and Hackney Half over three epic days on the Hackney Marshes.

Want to join the running crew? The weekly Hackney half training run schedule here in London is led by our pacers and is absolutely free to attend, so bring your friends!