After all the excitement of gymnastics last week, the athletics are now front and centre at Paris Olympics 2024. The Stade de France has already seen some thrilling events, and there are only more to come.

While we love any athletics action, we are of course rooting for Team GB. So, how are they doing so far? Unfortunately, it’s been a bit of a slow start, with some of our favourite women runners facing challenges on their way to a medal. But it’s definitely not all bad news, and there’s a lot to look forward to. Keep reading for all the updates you need to know ahead of this week’s Olympics events…

Women’s 100m

Things were looking great for Team GB women runners after the first 100m heats. Daryll Neita finished first in her heat, with Dina Asher-Smith second and Imani Lansiquot third in their respective heats.

Unfortunately, only Neita made it through to the final, with Asher-Smith and Lansiquot both coming 5th in their semi-finals. We’re so proud of them both, but Asher-Smith was visibly disappointed with the result. After the race, she told the press how frustrated she feels, especially as her training had been going so well. Of course, she still has another chance at a medal in the 200m later this week. But, at the time, this was of little solace. We’re…

When it comes to buying running kit, there is nothing we runners love more than great value. And especially when some of the best running shoes, activewear and accessories out there are on sale! SportsShoes.com are right in the middle of their summer sale, and we’ve picked out the best offers that you might enjoy…

Altra Via Olympus running shoes

RRP: £144.99 £59.99 | Shop now

Enjoy max comfort, no matter the distance. The Altra Via Olympus is a highly cushioned road cousin to the Olympus trail shoe. Its rocker-shaped geometry encourages a more efficient toe-off for smooth transitions.

 

ASICS Nagino Run Women’s Tights

RRP: £74.99 £37.49 | Shop now

A comfortable, cosy pair of tights, made to accompany you on all your workouts. This garment features perforation holes on the calf for improved breathability, helping you stay cool and focused. A high supportive waistband sits comfortably against the skin and provides a secure fit. Several easy-access storage pockets provide ample storage for any essentials. The materials are moisture-wicking to ensure to keep you dry, even during the more intense sessions of your workout.

 

Nike Swoosh Medium Support Women’s Padded Sports Bra

RRP: £39.99 £23.99 | Shop now

Great for training workouts and dance classes, this…

We’re pretty old hats at the Olympics now. We know how it all works, what athletes we can’t wait to watch and which finals we need to clear our schedules for. But this year, we have a new and exciting element to get our heads round that could make all the difference the running podiums: repechage.

You might have heard this term being bandied about already during coverage of Paris Olympics 2024, but it’ll really come into play when we get into the athletics, which start later on this week. But what on earth is repechage and how does it work? And, more importantly, what does it mean for our fave Team GB female runners? We found out….

What is repechage?

Repechage is a qualifying system that has been used in wrestling and other sports for a while.

It changes the format of qualifying for semi-finals and beyond. Essentially, it gives a second chance to athletes who have been knocked out in earlier rounds.

What running events will it apply to at Paris 2024?

This year, a repechage round is being included in Olympic athletics for the first time. It’ll happen on all individual track events from 200m to 1500m. It could make all the difference to some of our fave GB runners!

How is it different from previous Olympics?

Previously in the Olympics (and other track-based…

The Paris 2024 Olympics kicked off with a bang. It was certainly an opening ceremony to remember, and there have already been plenty of tears from athletes and spectators alike as dreams are made and shattered. But, as anticipation for the big-hitters in athletics builds, what can we expect from the women’s running events?

Team GB superstars at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Dina Asher-Smith makes her return

This year sees the return of legendary sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, after a rocky Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The 28-year-old Brit shocked viewers when she didn’t make the 100m finals in the last Games, and she went on to pull out of the 200m event. But, after revealing that she’d been struggling with a hamstring injury, she made her come back in the 4×100 relay, claiming her second Olympic bronze medal (the first for the same event in 2016).

After reclaiming her European 100m title in Rome, she’s all set for a strong performance in Paris. Check her out in the 100m and 200m, with heats starting from Sunday 4th August.

Can Daryll Neita make the finals again?

During Dina’s difficult time in the Toyko 2020 Games, Daryll Neita really stepped up and made herself a household name. When all hope was lost for a Brit in the final, she qualified with an incredible time of 11:00, but…

On Sunday 22nd September, the Women’s Running community are delighted to be back for this year’s Vitality London 10,000. Joining up with the Smiles for Miles wave, this day will be the perfect opportunity for communities to come together to support and encourage one another, whilst also enjoying an amazing run which features many of London’s landmarks.

The 2024 Vitality London 10,000 emphasises the many connections that running provides. Lifelong friendships can be created through the shared enjoyment of running, which has been increasingly replacing traditional social activities in certain communities. Running has even provided a new source of dating opportunities for some, with many citing local running clubs as the best place to meet new partners.

Smiles for Miles

Women’s Running podcast guests and public figures Helen Thorn and Bryony Gordon are the brains behind the Smiles for Miles wave, which encourages runners to celebrate the joy of running. And now, we’ll be joining them! Walkers, joggers and Jeffers are very much welcome for a day that commemorates the importance of community and connection.

Famous faces

Among the 20,000 others participating in the event, Tanya Franks, well-known for her TV role in EastEnders, will be partaking in the 2024 Vitality…

When it comes to running alone, especially for women, safety should always be a priority. If you’ve ever wondered if there are things you can do to feel and stay safer, rest assured – there are several strategies you can implement right away, and some to consider for the future.

This month, we spoke to defence expert and World Champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Joanna Ziobronowicz. She also holds a UCL Master’s in Psychology and Linguistics, Her new book, which is out on 9th July, is called She Fights Back. It offers self-defence strategies from both a psychological and physical perspective in her new book. We asked her for her tips on staying safe while out running alone…

Joanna’s guide to women’s safety while running

1. Plan your run and route

“You may already have heard of a few preventative measures that can help you stay safe during solo runs,” says Joanna. “These include choosing well-populated routes, ideally during daylight hours for better visibility. Being familiar with your chosen route can help you plan exit strategies and identify places where you can run toward safety,” she says.

If you go running during darker hours, Joanna suggests you pick routes that are well-lit rather than dark alleys, which pose a higher risk to your safety. “You…