Miles & Motherhood

Genevieve Gregson is one of Australia's most accomplished distance runners. A four-time Olympian, she held the Australian record in the 3000m steeplechase before transitioning to the marathon and representing Australia in Paris at the 2024 Olympics.

In 2022, she welcomed her first son Archer, followed by Freddy in 2025. Nine months after Freddy's arrival, she was back on the start line in Ballarat — winning the women's half marathon and setting a course record in the process. Genevieve proves that motherhood and elite sport aren't mutually exclusive.

As Mother's Day approaches, Shokz caught up with Genevieve to hear about her return to elite sport, the support that makes it possible, and what running means to her now.

In Her Own Words

Q: How would you want your kids to describe their mum?

Gen: Extremely loving yet fair, determined but fun, caring and fierce. 

Q: Does running mean something different to you now as a mum?

Gen: Yes, it’s become more enjoyable and serves more of a purpose than ever before. It’s my me time where I channel any thoughts or stress. My passion for running grew after kids but the pressure of results and needing top performances fell away.

Q: What's a skill from elite running that turns out to be surprisingly useful as a mum?

Gen: Turning up each day no matter how awful you feel. Running made me so mentally strong to show up as a good mum no matter what.

Q: What's one thing about your daily routine that would surprise people?

Gen: There is no strict time structure. Some days I get out the door at 5:30am for training and some days it’s more like 10am! Whatever works that day. 

Q: What caught you off guard about running after pregnancy?

Gen: Around the 5-6 month mark the sleep deprivation really hits hard. 

Q: What was the first run after having your baby that actually felt good?

Gen: Honestly, probably not until around 8 months postpartum I start to feel my energy levels and hormones are balancing out. Before that it’s a slog!

Q: After going through pregnancy and coming back to elite running, what surprised you most about your body?

Gen: How well it remembers how to run. The muscle memory is amazing. 

Q: What would your pre-kids self think if she saw your morning routine now?

Gen: I would laugh at me morning routines but smile that I was living out my dream. 

Q: What's your best advice for getting back into running after giving birth?

Gen: Listen to your body. There is no script. It’s just about how you feel and when you’re ready to take each step. 

Q: What kind of support at home makes your running possible?

Gen: An absolute village. There is juggling from everyone but the support my husband and mum offer daily is unmatched. 

Q: How important are open-ear headphones for your running?

Gen: Crucial. The hours I put in out on the roads for marathon training, it’s so important I can be aware of my surroundings. I want to feel like I know what’s around me at all times. 

Q: What's on your playlist right now?

Gen: Podcasts and audiobooks.

Gear That Goes the Distance

Genevieve trains in the Shokz OpenDots ONE — our stylish open-ear sports headphone built for runners who want to stay aware, motivated, and in the moment. 

Whether you're logging early morning miles, navigating a packed day, or stealing a quiet moment with a podcast, Shokz open-ear headphones are built to move with you.

Grab your own pair of OpenDots ONE.