Tasha Thompson on how Black Girls Do Run UK is supporting more black women to take up running
Black Girls Do Run UK was founded in March 2019 by Tasha Thompson after 20 years of noticing the lack of representation at events and within the running community, particularly in her hometown of London. Tasha is now a pillar of the running community and continues to inspire us all to get moving. The collective has bustling WhatsApp and Facebook groups as well as keeping everyone up to date on their Instagram.
Previously, when thinking about traditional running clubs, you might imagine a group of lean, middle aged white men dressed in singlets running through the rain. Well, thanks to the work of people like Tasha and crews like Black Girls Do Run UK, that picture’s beginning to change. Tasha and her running collective are doing all they can to dispel traditional images of the running community and to energise the industry by encouraging black women to become runners, because in the end, “you can’t be what you can’t see.”
Black Girls Do Run UK are working hard to break down the various hidden barriers to entry within running. Whether it’s the feeling of not belonging at your local 5k parkrun, or the expectation to look a certain way, or simply finding the term ‘runner’ too intimidating - Tasha is on hand to provide a realistic role model for those who are nervous about entering the space and, ultimately, to spread the joy of running. She advocates the benefits of running not only for physical fitness but for its positive impact on mental health. Ultimately, the benefits of running should be experienced by all, and without the incredible work of Tasha and collectives such as Black Girls Do Run UK, this wouldn’t be the case.
I recently spoke to Tasha about what it means to be a black woman in the industry, a situation which I happen to share with her. Personally, I've always staunchly proclaimed that I’ll never be a ‘runner’. I don’t actually know whether that’s because I didn’t feel like that world was made for someone like me, or I just couldn’t imagine myself taking part or, in fact, because I just don’t enjoy exercise that much! But, while some of what Tasha has to say validated my initial concerns, it did more to counteract them and her joy of running supersedes many anxieties I had and is clearly infectious. You know what, I might actually go for a spin around my local park… at some point.
Gina: In your opinion, what does it mean to be a 'runner', is it something you attach to your identity?
Tasha: I am a runner and running is definitely part of my identity and how I am often identified by others. For me, being a runner is to simply be someone who runs, enjoys running and becomes miserable if they cannot run - because it is such a big and important part of your life and who you are. It is not about racing, speed, distance, fitness levels or running daily, it is a feeling where life isn't quite right without running.
Gina: Which black runners have had the biggest impact on your relationship with running, and in what ways?
Tasha: It’s nobody famous nor an elite athlete, but a woman named Jenny Burrell who I knew from the gym - she was the first black woman I had ever heard of saying she ran the London Marathon and it made me stop and think, maybe I can do it too! I am not sure if Jenny still runs but she has gone on to do brilliant things and is the founder and head of Burrell Education one of the UK's leading-edge educators in the field of modern Pregnancy, Post Baby, 3rd Age (Peri-to Post-Menopause) and Female Fitness, Wellness, Massage + Bodywork Therapies.
Gina: What's the biggest hurdle that keeps black women from running?
Tasha: It is difficult to hone in on one hurdle, but the main ones are:
Hair: Afro hair whether in its natural state or chemically altered doesn’t react well to sweat and this is often a major off putting factor for black women.
Habit: Once those obligatory school P.E. lessons no longer need to be done, that is the end of any form of physical activity for many women unless they loved it.
Lack of realistic role models: There are so many black women who are elite athletes but the majority of us cannot do a quarter of what they can, so they are not always realistic role models for getting black women running and moving.
Body image and self-consciousness: Age-old myths surrounding the ideal runner's body is a massive hurdle for all and is responsible for a lot of anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. Running is a good way to improve personal perception of body image and, as a result, feel less self consciousness because it is about function not looks - but this doesn't happen overnight.
Gina: How much of an impact does not focusing on times, splits or performance have on you and the other women in Black Girls Do Run UK?
Not focussing on the performance aspect of running makes running a possibility for more women. It means that you don’t feel like a failure if you are unable to run a 10 minute mile or if you don’t run a sub 30 minute 5k race. It enforces that your only competition is yourself and from what I have seen runners whose focus isn't on performance are much happier runners, because every day is a PB as long as you are doing your best.
Gina: How important are running collectives like Black Girls Do Run UK in supporting more black women to take up the sport?
Tasha: Collectives such as us and Fly Girl Collective are important because we are focussing on a niche area of women who are underrepresented in recreational running. You can’t be what you can’t see, so being part of a running group that focuses purely on black women and is led by a black woman who runs the run and talks the talk has a domino effect on other women and plants the running seed in the minds of others and the desire to run grows from there.
Gina: 10 years from now, what differences would you like to see within the black running community and the wider industry?
Tasha: I would like to see more black women and women in general running and more groups focussing on niche areas as it’s a win, win for the industry as a whole. Creating these small running collectives grows the sports by encouraging more people to run and includes more people on the start-lines of running events.
Gina: What’s special about having the support of the Black Girls Do Run UK squad at running events?
Tasha: The support we receive from each other is magical and it is so uplifting - we really feel the love. We support each other virtually and in person. Virtually by sending messages of encouragement and congratulating each other and in person by going along to races to cheer each other on.
Gina: Where does your motivation to keep running come from?
Tasha: Just like many runners I have those moments where I don’t feel like running, or when life outside of running gets hectic and it's impossible to fit it in, but thankfully my motivation doesn’t dip too often and I am very good at fitting runs in around my life. My motivation to run is from not wanting to start from scratch again, because I often crave green space and to experience the free feeling running gives me. Lastly, it's impossible to not to run because I am surrounded by so many inspirational runners.
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Let's Do This Team's Top 2025 Event Picks
As the clock strikes midnight and the promise of a fresh start begins, many of us are setting our sights on challenges that will make 2025 a year to remember. To help give you some new year inspo, we asked our team to share their goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking to smash a personal best, conquer an iconic event, or try something entirely new, we hope our team’s resolutions inspire you to set some big, bold goals of your own.Here’s what we’re working towards in 2025:
New Year, New Goals: 2025 inspo from the Let’s Do This team
As the clock strikes midnight and the promise of a fresh start begins, many of us are setting our sights on challenges that will make 2025 a year to remember. To help give you some new year inspo, we asked our team to share their goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking to smash a personal best, conquer an iconic event, or try something entirely new, we hope our team’s resolutions inspire you to set some big, bold goals of your own.
Here’s what we’re working towards in 2025:
Reece: A Year of Firsts
"2025 is going to be a year of firsts for me. I’ll be tackling my first triathlon at Blenheim, running my first ultra at Race to the Stones, and (if I can snag a spot) taking on my first Hyrox event in London. Here’s to pushing boundaries!"
Book now:
Oscar: Chasing Speed
I’m keeping it short and speedy this year—hopefully! My goals are a sub-17-minute 5k and a 5-minute mile.
I’ve got my eye on the Battersea Chase the Sun/Moon events because the flat, fast course is perfect for a PB.
Book now:
Battersea Chase the Moon January
Lisa: Hitting the Trails and City Breaks
"I’ve heard so many great things about Maverick events from the Let’s Do This team, so I’m thinking of booking the Original West Sussex—it’s just a short train ride from London. I also want to use races as an excuse to travel, and I’ve got my eye on the Rome Marathon in March as my first running holiday of the year."
Book Now:
Dom: Fast and Far
My focus is on speed and endurance. I’m aiming for a sub-1:20 half marathon at the Bath Half in March, then finishing the year strong at the Chicago Marathon.
Book now:
Rob: Epic Adventures
This year, I’m taking on the Ultra Trail Snowdonia 50k and aiming for the UTMB. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll swap the running shoes for a multi-day gravel race. Either way, it’s going to be an adventure!
Book now:
James: My First Ultra
This is the year I’ll tackle my first ultra! I’m heading up to the Lakes for the 55km 5 Valleys race in September. Can’t wait to take in the incredible scenery while pushing myself to new limits.
Book Now:
13 Valleys Ultra Marathon (5 Valleys 50k)
Rachel: Elevating My Goals
"I’m mixing things up in 2025 by focusing on elevation rather than distance. My big goal? A race with 950 meters of climb over 16 kilometers. It’s going to be a whole new kind of challenge!"
Book now:
JC: A Year of the Super Halfs
I’ve convinced my friends to tackle the Super Halfs series with me. After running Copenhagen last year, we’ve got Lisbon on the cards for March. I’m also hoping to get into cycling—fingers crossed I can bag a spot at Bike New York's 5 Boro Bike Tour and combine it with a New York city break with friends!
Book Now:
Whether you're gearing up for your first race or taking on a bucket-list event, there’s no better time than the new year to start planning your next adventure. What goals are you setting for 2025? Let us know—we’d love to cheer you on!
How To: Set Your 2025 Running Goals with Coopah
As we are approaching the end of the year, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your 2025 running goals, and what you want to achieve over the next 12 months.We know it can be hard to know how to set your running goals, so we have asked Jordan Foster, Head Coach at Coopah, the Run Coaching App to share her top tips.
As we are approaching the end of the year, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your 2025 running goals, and what you want to achieve over the next 12 months.
We know it can be hard to know how to set your running goals, so we have asked Jordan Foster, Head Coach at Coopah, the Run Coaching App to share her top tips.
I honestly love nothing more than sitting down at the end of December and writing a list of what I want to achieve the following year; whether that's running, professional or just general day to day life. But, for the purpose of this blog, let's stick to running.
And do you know the best thing about running goals: your goals are entirely your own.
- If you want to just start your running journey, amazing.
- If you’re chasing a personal best (PB), go for it.
- If you’re aiming to cross the finish line of your first marathon in one piece, incredible.
The exact goal itself doesn’t matter as much as the process of setting it, and building the plan to achieve it. So, here are some tips to help you create meaningful and achievable running goals for 2025.
Be Specific
Think about what really matters to you, as I said a goal doesn’t always need to be time based, but having a clear, specific goal is a great way to not only stay motivated, but also to ensure you are doing the right things to help you get there. For example a vague goal like “start running more” is a good start, but the magic really happens when you get specific and know exactly what you are aiming for;
- Want to aim for your first 5km? Awesome, set yourself a target date of when you want to achieve it to give you something to aim for.
- Running your first marathon? Brilliant, maybe the goal is to finish strong and soak in every moment.
- Just want to build confidence and consistency? Great, focus on nailing your training plan.
How Coopah Can Help: When setting up your training plan we will ask for your goal for your event, along with finding out more about your running history and experience. Which in turn will generate you a personalised training plan that is tailored specifically to your current fitness level and your overall goal. So you have peace of mind knowing that your plan is designed with your end goal in mind. Download the app and get started today.
Be Brave
Let’s be honest: big goals can feel scary. But does that mean we shouldn’t set them? Absolutely not.
Over the years, I have set myself many big goals in running. Some of these I have achieved, and some I have not. But does that mean I have failed? Personally, I don’t think so.
Because I still put myself out there, I still worked hard towards trying to achieve it and I showed up and tried my best. And that is really the most important thing.
So set those big goals. Be brave and push yourself. And remember, the best growth happens when we take on those big challenges that feel slightly out of reach.
How Coopah Can Help: Having the right support can make all the difference when setting those big goals, and with Coopah you have 24/7 access to our team of coaches who are on hand to help, support and advise you throughout your training plan. Whether you have a question about your plan, need that extra bit of motivation or just want to share how you are getting on, we are there for you every step of the way. Download the app and chat to your coach today.
Be Realistic
That said, whilst being brave is great, it’s also important to be honest with yourself and make sure those goals you are setting are realistic in the time frame you have;
- How far away is your event?
- How much time can you realistically commit to training each week?
- What’s your current fitness level?
For example if your dream is to run a marathon, but right now you are right at the start of your running journey, you may just need to take a step back and set yourself a smaller goal to achieve in the short term, whilst creating a long term plan to achieve this.
By setting yourself smaller, manageable goals this will also help to keep you motivated during your training as you will hopefully see progress a lot quicker, whilst knowing everything you are doing is getting you one step closer to achieving your ultimate goal.
For example your first goal could be to run your first 5km, then build up to 10km and so on.
Remember, progress in running takes time. It takes effort, hard work and commitment. We can’t always achieve everything we want to do at once, so having those long term goals and plan is a great way to keep you motivated to ensure you are always heading in the right direction.
How Coopah Can Help: With Coopah you can easily track your progress to see if you are on track to hitting your goals. Every workout will be tailored to your overall goal so you can see in real time if you are hitting your target. Download the app and start making progress from today.
Be Prepared
So here is your challenge for this week. Take some time to sit down, grab a notebook, or even the notes app on your phone, and think about your running goals. Not just the easy ones, but those big, bold, slightly scary goals too. Write them down.
Now, once you’ve got those goals in front of you, I want you to think about how you’re going to achieve them, and use the tips from this blog:
- Be Specific about what you want.
- Be Brave and aim high.
- Be Realistic about your current fitness and life commitments.
I promise you, just writing your goals down is a huge step forward. Once you’ve committed to them, you’re already on the journey. And remember, the journey itself is part of the fun.
You might hit your goal in 3 months, or 6 months, or it could be a long-term goal that takes a few years. Whatever the timeline, every time you lace up your shoes and head out the door, you’re one step closer.
So next time you’re on a run, remind yourself: every mile, every sweaty workout, every “I really don’t feel like this” moment is part of the process. Celebrate the little wins along the way, as they’re what make the big wins possible.
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The Challenges Women Face in Running and How It Impacts Participation
Running is often lauded as one of the most accessible sports—just lace up your trainers and go. However, for many women, the barriers to participation go far beyond the logistical. While safety concerns are frequently highlighted, deeper systemic issues like access to the sport and unequal treatment are also preventing more women from running. It was a topic keenly discussed at our In Her Stride panel held at the end of November, with key members of the female running community including Sophie Power, Tasha Thompson, Rehana Mawani and Emily Shane.
Running is often lauded as one of the most accessible sports—just lace up your trainers and go. However, for many women, the barriers to participation go far beyond the logistical. While safety concerns are frequently highlighted, deeper systemic issues like access to the sport and unequal treatment are also preventing more women from running. It was a topic keenly discussed at our In Her Stride panel held at the end of November, with key members of the female running community including Sophie Power, Tasha Thompson, Rehana Mawani and Emily Shane.
Before we kick things off however, we should highlight that female participation in running events is growing, and this is a great thing! According to data from Let’s Do This, women in their 20s are the fastest-growing demographic in event participation this year. However despite this, women are still 16% less likely to run every week compared to men. This disparity is particularly striking given that women report higher levels of personal benefits from running, such as improved fitness, better sleep, and reduced stress.
The reasons for this are complex and personal, however we have broken down three key challenges discussed during our panel and the solutions explored that could help address them.
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1. The Pressure of Pace
One of the biggest hurdles for many women is the pressure to run faster. Despite the average UK woman’s running speed of 06:37 min/km (according to Strava), most run clubs don’t cater to this with the slowest pace often around 6 minutes per km. Add to this the relentless focus on personal bests and fast times on social media, and it’s no surprise that many women feel too intimidated to join in.
Thankfully, there are starting to be more people rebelling against this speed obsession, including our panelist, Emily Shane. Emily has been leading the charge to encourage more women to disregard pace and focus on the experience of running to drive uptake amongst women. Initiatives like events without cutoff times and more inclusive pace groups at running clubs are vital to creating a more welcoming environment and broadening the benefits of running to the experience and community.
2. Perception of Sport in Schools
One of the topics hotly discussed was how for many girls, the barriers to enjoying physical activity start at school. Puberty, coupled with changing bodies and fluctuating emotions, can make sports feel daunting and uncomfortable for teenage girls. Research highlights this disparity: only 38% of girls enjoy sport and exercise compared to 53% of boys, and just 26% of girls feel confident in physical activity versus 43% of boys.
The panel emphasised the need to address this such as:
- Introducing a wider variety of sports and fitness activities to cater to different interests
- Providing more supportive and confidence-boosting PE kits.
- Showcasing more female role models in sport to inspire young girls.
By addressing these issues at the school level, we can foster a love of sport that lasts into adulthood.
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3. Treatment at Events
This is a topic that panelist Sophie Power, founder of SheRACES is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about. Even at organised running events, women often experience unequal treatment. From “unisex: t-shirts (which are actually designed for men) to a lack of sanitary products in portaloos, these "small things" can collectively make women feel like an afterthought. Prize money inequality and rigid event policies—like no deferral options for pregnant or postpartum women—further highlight these disparities.
Thankfully, initiatives like the 50:50 campaign by Threshold (a campaign to get 50% of women at Ultra startlines vs. the current average of 30%) and the advocacy work of SheRACES are driving change, and there are many amazing event organisers such as Maverick, Threshold, Why We Run and many more, that are working hard to make their events are inclusive as possible for women.
Despite these challenges, the panel and attendees felt overwhelmingly optimistic about the future of running for women and the benefits it brings us. Progress is being made, however we all need to add our voices to the conversation to help more women get into the sport and reap the benefits.
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Some Helpful Resources
Here are a few helpful resources. This list isn’t exhaustive by any means, however is a good starting point for those looking for inspiration on where to start.
Female friendly events:
- Threshold Events
- London Landmarks Half Marathon
- Maverick Events
- Why We Run
- Women Run Series London 2025
Female Only Run Clubs
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