Ciara Thornley

Cheltenham, England

XC, mile, 3k & 5k runner

Runner Spotlight

At just eight years old, she was a swimmer, primarily for general fitness. A year later, she participated in a school cross-country race—not expecting much but finding that she both enjoyed it and performed well. She didn’t win, but she loved the rush of pushing herself and seeing what she could do. That one race sparked something in her, even if she didn’t know it yet.

Eager to improve but unable to join her local club until she was eleven, Ciara took matters into her own hands—literally. Every Sunday, she’d lace up, head out, and sprint a 2.6k loop like she was being chased, no warm-up, no pacing, just vibes. It was less of a training plan and more of an all-out personal time trial, with herself as both the coach and the competitor. Looking back, we can’t help but laugh at the chaos of it all, but it clearly worked.

When she finally joined a club, she experimented with different events, even trying long jump. But a coach quickly recognized her natural endurance and encouraged her to focus on distance running. At fourteen, she moved to a new area and joined Cheltenham Harriers, a well-known club in the UK. She unknowingly trained alongside future Bradley teammates Kaitlyn Sheppard and George Watson, proving how small the running world can be.

At that time, Ciara was balancing swimming, triathlons, and running, excelling in all three. But in 2020, when COVID lockdowns shut down pools and disrupted training, she saw it as a sign. With swimming off the table, she decided to fully commit to running. And I'm so glad she did because I got to know my little sister here at Bradley.

Favorite Running Spot

 Colorado's Magnolia Road

Favorite Running Shoe

Ciara’s go-to shoe for just about everything? The Asics Superblast. Perfect for easy runs, tempos, intervals, and long runs. Sure, there are faster shoes out there, but she swears this one has the versatility to handle them all with ease.

On a trip to Paris, she had to pack light and couldn’t bring a different pair for every type of run. So, she took a gamble and only brought the Superblast. They handled everything perfectly and let her fully enjoy every run without stress.

Best Achievement

Ciara mentioned how one of her best achievement was placing 11th at the London Mini Marathon. I had to ask, "wait, why “mini”?" Turns out, before the actual London Marathon, there’s a special race for young athletes: the British Road Championships. It covers the final two miles of the marathon course, passing iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace. Not a bad backdrop for a race!

Ciara and her teammates celebrating their accomplishments together.

Ciara competed in the U17 category, racing just under 3K, and remembers it as both an unforgettable experience and one of her best performances. 11th in the entire nation—that’s something to be really proud of.

This year, Ciara took her running to a new level, proving it at the MVC Indoor Championships in Chicago. She started with a smooth, strategic mile semifinal, securing a well-earned spot in the final.

On race day, she lined up as the 10th seed with nothing to lose. She played it smart, covering every move, making passes, and never looking back. With 1K down and 500m to go, she suddenly found herself with the front pack. Now what? Well, remember that little Ciara who used to sprint 2.6K loops all-out on Sundays? She made a comeback.

With 200m left—one lap to go—Ciara kicked hard, unleashing everything she had. And just like that, she crossed the line in third place at the MVC Indoor Championships—a stunning podium finish with a casual SEVEN-SECOND PR!!!!

4:44.76 in the Mile

Ciara and Abi, smiling after their strong finishes in the mile—third and first place!

A few hours later, she doubled back for the 3K final. With confidence high and no pressure, she ran strong, placed fifth overall, and shaved another FOUR SECONDS off her best time, finishing with a 9:37.61.

A weekend to remember, a breakthrough well earned, and a performance that speaks for itself.

Product Recommendation

Ciara keeps things simple with her go-to snack: Nature Valley bars. They’re her daily must-have—at least one a day to keep her fueled and ready for whatever the day holds. They’re perfect for her, especially since she values a bit of extra sleep and needs something quick and easy before early morning runs. These bars are light, easily digestible, and packed with energy, making them ideal for fueling up on the go. Plus, with a solid balance of carbs and protein, they provide just the right amount of fuel.

Whether it’s a morning run or a pre-workout snack, the Nature Valley bar’s portability and taste are key for her. Simple, reliable, and effective.

Favorite Pre-Race Song

For Ciara, being "present" has been key to her best season at Bradley.

She realized that constantly focusing on very specific future goals, was holding her back. Instead of worrying about what she still had to achieve, she decided to embrace the moment, enjoy each race, and give her best without fully fixating on the outcome. By focusing on the here and now, she was able to improve and have fun in the process. Her advice? Don’t wish away the present while waiting for the future—enjoy every moment and give everything you’ve got in that moment.