Molly Butterworth: Setting new boundaries for women athletes

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In Episode 14 of the Running Tales podcast, in collaboration with Run Tri Bike, Craig Lewis spoke to England athlete and running coach, Molly Butterworth.

Molly started running at a young age, but even though she was competing in the sport at just 11 years old it was her second love.

By then, the young Molly was already a passionate swimmer, and she took some convincing to take part in the South Yorkshire school’s cross-country race.

Aged 13, she had forgotten any early doubts and joined up with Doncaster Athletics Club, with her immediate love for running seeing her develop a drive to perform at the very best of her ability and to learn more about the sport - passions which have shaped her career ever since.

Like most athletes she has, in her own words, experienced “a journey full of ups and downs,” although she achieved two very notable highs: becoming the 2023 England 1,500m bronze medalist and toeing the line at her first Indoor and Outdoor British Championships at the same distance this year.

Molly even picked up a First Class degree and started her own fitness and lifestyle Instagram account along the way.

She has been coaching athletes at a national level for the last five years, helping them achieve their goals at distances from 800m up to the marathon on the track, road, and cross-country circuit, including most recently with PGC1-Coaching.

There she specialises in working with women runners and athletes at all levels, helping them learn the skills and training techniques that make the professionals tick.