Running the World: Celebrating Women Who Go the Distance
At Grace & Kin, we believe that jewellery isn’t just something you wear—it’s something that moves with you, through every journey, every challenge, and every triumph. That’s why, this International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating women who embody that same spirit of strength and resilience.
Today, we’re shining a light on an incredible all-girls running group @girliesthatrun founded by Lillian and Helen—two women who turned their shared passion for running into a powerful community. What started as a simple way to stay active quickly grew into something much bigger: a space where women come together to support, uplift, and empower one another—mile after mile, step after step.
I was lucky enough to sit down with the girls to hear their story, what inspires them, and the impact their community is making. Because when women support women, there’s no limit to how far we can go. So go grab a coffee, get comfy and lets dive in.
What inspired you to start Girlies That Run, and what was your vision when you first began?
Lillian: I remember after college feeling pretty lonely, my closest friends had left for uni and not having the social structure of school or sixth form in my life left quite the hole. During this time I picked up running, but for all the wrong reasons. My relationship with exercise became pretty unhealthy and I was constantly injured and fatigued.
I left Hereford for Palma to work on a super yacht, it was the toughest experience of my life but taught me so many lessons. When I returned I had a new found confidence and wanted to create a community where no other woman or girl would feel alone like I once did.
How has the group evolved since it started? Did you expect it to have such an impact?
Lillian: Originally I had planned for GTR to be more of a platform where girls could arrange runs. Simply posting in the group if they were going on a run and maybe getting a few that may like to join. It’s taken on a life of its own and grew faster than I could have ever imagined or expected. I never expected it to have such an impact, but it’s really amazing to see how far we’ve come.
Helen: The group was supposed to be something small, where girls could have a WhatsApp group and arrange runs together. However we knew after the first few days that this could not happen for safety reasons. Since then we have arranged the runs in a safety manor with always having at least one person leading and one person trailing. I always believed the vision that we had with GTR, however it has involved into something which I could never of dreamed of. We have involved in so many ways, learning along the way and going down so many other avenues instead of just running, we are a community.
Running can be an individual sport, but your group focuses on community. How important is that sense of connection for your members?
Lillian: Community comes first, running comes second. Community is what it’s all about, with our main aim of making friends and empowering one another.
Helen: Girlies That run isn’t just about running, we don’t actually care if you can run! Having a community where girls can share, make friends and exercise all together is so important and is so needed in our city.
Safety is a big concern for many women when exercising outdoors. How does your group help create a safer and more supportive space for female runners?
Lillian: When running with GTR there is a sense of freedom. We can run on footpaths and backroads without fear of our safety- which is something we’d never be able to do alone. Even in summer backroads with no cameras can be a worry, so GTR really ensures we can enjoy our runs carefree.
Helen: GTR always has someone who is leading and someone who is trailing, therefore no one is ever going to be left behind. We can run wherever we like, because we are together. Safety really is in numbers!
What advice would you give to women who want to start running but feel intimidated?
Lillian: Think about what you think when you see another runner, it’s always good things. “I wish I could do that” “if only I was fit enough”. That runner can be you! You’d be so surprised at how quickly you can build fitness! Just do it!
Helen: Start slowly, build up and do not worry about your time or your pace. Everyone has to start somewhere and everyone has been where you are. Also not to compare yourself to anyone else, especially on social media!
What does running mean to you personally, and how has it empowered you in other areas of life?
Lillian: Running started as a form of self harm for me but it’s becoming so empowering to me and in my life. I no longer track my runs, I do it for the feeling not the numbers! I love how it makes me feel and I’m so grateful my body allows me to run!
Helen: I have always loved running, even from a young age. I’ve always loved the freedom that comes with it. You just need to put your trainers on and go outside. In life it’s really important to let the stresses of everyday life go. Running really helps me to clear my head and motivate me in other aspects of life.
Have you witnessed any inspiring transformations within the group—whether in confidence, fitness, or friendships?
Lillian: So many! Every single GTR member has been on a journey, including Helen and I. Whether that be new friends, a new found confidence or self love!
Helen: YES! The best thing about GTR is seeing the confidence grow within people. There is nothing better than someone new turning up a little apprehensive of what they’ve signed up to do, then a few weeks later seeing them make friends, chat, go for coffee and have a completely different glow about themselves!
What role do you think female-led fitness communities play in encouraging more women to get active?
Lillian: They play a huge role! They create a safe space, which allows for women to join in/start in the fitness industry freely! They are so important and the pioneers of women in the fitness field!
Helen: Female-led fitness communities are so important for inspiring women so they believe that they can achieve whatever they set out to do!
How does Girlies That Run celebrate and uplift its members beyond just running together?
GTR have always been about more than running, and I think the way we celebrate are members beyond just running in the way that the member will always come first, first beyond their PB, first beyond the amount of races they’ve ran. We see them as a person and not just a runner.
Have there been any challenges in growing and maintaining the group? How have you overcome them?
Helen: Everyday is a learning day for us! The group grew so quickly, therefore we needed to act fast and create a plan. However now we have a method that works and we continue to use week after week.
Lillian: We have been running GTR for over a year now, and naturally there are busier and quieter periods. I think for us, our main goal is to create a safe space - so the fact that our aim has never been membership numbers has naturally lead to high turn outs, girls know we are genuine and just want to be a part of the incredible safe space we have created!
What has been one of your proudest moments since starting the group?
Helen: There have been so many amazing moments over the last year, however I was so proud that we spoke about a subject which has helped many girls. Our ‘pose with purpose’ event was very special and could be life changing! This was our breast cancer awareness event, where the girls participated in yoga, followed by a demonstration on how to check your breasts properly.
Lillian: Cardiff half was an amazing one, so many girls we know didn’t run before GTR and for them to go on a complete half marathons was incredible and just goes to show they are capable of anything they put their mind to!
Also whenever we trail during or runs it’s such a proud moment, to see all of those women running in front of you is actually quite emotional and really puts GTR into perspective.
What impact do you hope Girlies That Run continues to have on its members and the wider community?
Helen: We hope that Girlies that run is always a community in which girls feel safe to be themselves and makes exercise feel fun and never a chore!
Lillian: We just want women to believe in themselves and love themselves. We hope through GTR we can continue this message.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you, and how does it align with the mission of Girlies That Run?
We think women are incredible, and we think they become even more incredible when they realise this. International women’s day to us is just a reminder of this, in a society where is can often go overlooked. It aligns hugely with us at GTR, and is a very special day for us!
Who are the women that inspire you—either in running, business, or life?
Every woman has their story. Every woman has shown strength, courage and determination in their life and therefore every woman is an inspiration! I celebrate women in all capacities, mothers, friends, colleagues - all to be celebrated!
If you could share one piece of advice with women looking to challenge themselves—whether in running or in life—what would it be?
Helen: Don’t be afraid to accept new challenges, or try something different - believe in yourself! Don’t give up, not everything is going to fall into place and go to plan, learn from your mistakes and move on. That feeling when you’ve achieved what you’ve set out to do is a feeling like no other!
Lillian: Your biggest competitor in life is you. Learn to come over your self doubt and your own disbeliefs and you have won. Self love doesn’t mean arrogance or egotism- it means trusting and believing in yourself! Love yourself first and everything else will fall into place!
Lillian: Originally I had planned for GTR to be more of a platform where girls could arrange runs. Simply posting in the group if they were going on a run and maybe getting a few that may like to join. It’s taken on a life of its own and grew faster than I could have ever imagined or expected. I never expected it to have such an impact, but it’s really amazing to see how far we’ve come.
Helen: The group was supposed to be something small, where girls could have a WhatsApp group and arrange runs together. However we knew after the first few days that this could not happen for safety reasons. Since then we have arranged the runs in a safety manor with always having at least one person leading and one person trailing. I always believed the vision that we had with GTR, however it has involved into something which I could never of dreamed of. We have involved in so many ways, learning along the way and going down so many other avenues instead of just running, we are a community.
Running can be an individual sport, but your group focuses on community. How important is that sense of connection for your members?
Lillian: Community comes first, running comes second. Community is what it’s all about, with our main aim of making friends and empowering one another.
Helen: Girlies That run isn’t just about running, we don’t actually care if you can run! Having a community where girls can share, make friends and exercise all together is so important and is so needed in our city.
Safety is a big concern for many women when exercising outdoors. How does your group help create a safer and more supportive space for female runners?
Lillian: When running with GTR there is a sense of freedom. We can run on footpaths and backroads without fear of our safety- which is something we’d never be able to do alone. Even in summer backroads with no cameras can be a worry, so GTR really ensures we can enjoy our runs carefree.
Helen: GTR always has someone who is leading and someone who is trailing, therefore no one is ever going to be left behind. We can run wherever we like, because we are together. Safety really is in numbers!
What advice would you give to women who want to start running but feel intimidated?
Lillian: Think about what you think when you see another runner, it’s always good things. “I wish I could do that” “if only I was fit enough”. That runner can be you! You’d be so surprised at how quickly you can build fitness! Just do it!
Helen: Start slowly, build up and do not worry about your time or your pace. Everyone has to start somewhere and everyone has been where you are. Also not to compare yourself to anyone else, especially on social media!
What does running mean to you personally, and how has it empowered you in other areas of life?
Lillian: Running started as a form of self harm for me but it’s becoming so empowering to me and in my life. I no longer track my runs, I do it for the feeling not the numbers! I love how it makes me feel and I’m so grateful my body allows me to run!
Helen: I have always loved running, even from a young age. I’ve always loved the freedom that comes with it. You just need to put your trainers on and go outside. In life it’s really important to let the stresses of everyday life go. Running really helps me to clear my head and motivate me in other aspects of life.
Have you witnessed any inspiring transformations within the group—whether in confidence, fitness, or friendships?
Lillian: So many! Every single GTR member has been on a journey, including Helen and I. Whether that be new friends, a new found confidence or self love!
Helen: YES! The best thing about GTR is seeing the confidence grow within people. There is nothing better than someone new turning up a little apprehensive of what they’ve signed up to do, then a few weeks later seeing them make friends, chat, go for coffee and have a completely different glow about themselves!
What role do you think female-led fitness communities play in encouraging more women to get active?
Lillian: They play a huge role! They create a safe space, which allows for women to join in/start in the fitness industry freely! They are so important and the pioneers of women in the fitness field!
Helen: Female-led fitness communities are so important for inspiring women so they believe that they can achieve whatever they set out to do!
How does Girlies That Run celebrate and uplift its members beyond just running together?
GTR have always been about more than running, and I think the way we celebrate are members beyond just running in the way that the member will always come first, first beyond their PB, first beyond the amount of races they’ve ran. We see them as a person and not just a runner.
Have there been any challenges in growing and maintaining the group? How have you overcome them?
Helen: Everyday is a learning day for us! The group grew so quickly, therefore we needed to act fast and create a plan. However now we have a method that works and we continue to use week after week.
Lillian: We have been running GTR for over a year now, and naturally there are busier and quieter periods. I think for us, our main goal is to create a safe space - so the fact that our aim has never been membership numbers has naturally lead to high turn outs, girls know we are genuine and just want to be a part of the incredible safe space we have created!
What has been one of your proudest moments since starting the group?
Helen: There have been so many amazing moments over the last year, however I was so proud that we spoke about a subject which has helped many girls. Our ‘pose with purpose’ event was very special and could be life changing! This was our breast cancer awareness event, where the girls participated in yoga, followed by a demonstration on how to check your breasts properly.
Lillian: Cardiff half was an amazing one, so many girls we know didn’t run before GTR and for them to go on a complete half marathons was incredible and just goes to show they are capable of anything they put their mind to!
Also whenever we trail during or runs it’s such a proud moment, to see all of those women running in front of you is actually quite emotional and really puts GTR into perspective.
What impact do you hope Girlies That Run continues to have on its members and the wider community?
Helen: We hope that Girlies that run is always a community in which girls feel safe to be themselves and makes exercise feel fun and never a chore!
Lillian: We just want women to believe in themselves and love themselves. We hope through GTR we can continue this message.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you, and how does it align with the mission of Girlies That Run?
We think women are incredible, and we think they become even more incredible when they realise this. International women’s day to us is just a reminder of this, in a society where is can often go overlooked. It aligns hugely with us at GTR, and is a very special day for us!
Who are the women that inspire you—either in running, business, or life?
Every woman has their story. Every woman has shown strength, courage and determination in their life and therefore every woman is an inspiration! I celebrate women in all capacities, mothers, friends, colleagues - all to be celebrated!
If you could share one piece of advice with women looking to challenge themselves—whether in running or in life—what would it be?
Helen: Don’t be afraid to accept new challenges, or try something different - believe in yourself! Don’t give up, not everything is going to fall into place and go to plan, learn from your mistakes and move on. That feeling when you’ve achieved what you’ve set out to do is a feeling like no other!
Lillian: Your biggest competitor in life is you. Learn to come over your self doubt and your own disbeliefs and you have won. Self love doesn’t mean arrogance or egotism- it means trusting and believing in yourself! Love yourself first and everything else will fall into place!
As our conversation with Lillian and Helen comes to a close, one thing is clear—this running group is about so much more than fitness. It’s about showing up for yourself, supporting others, and embracing the journey—wherever it may take you.
We’re beyond excited to be collaborating with them for a special event on March 16th, bringing together movement, community, and conversation. Tickets have already sold out, and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone attending!
If you missed out this time, don’t worry—this is just the beginning. Keep an eye out for more exciting events and ways to connect. And in the meantime, here’s to strong women, meaningful journeys, and jewellery made to go the distance.
Don't forget to follow the girls journey at - @girliesthatrun
Thank you & love always
Laura