Louise Evans: From Injury Setbacks to the Commonwealth Games

 

We’re proud to support our team members’ professional and personal growth, and we extend that commitment to local sports stars and clubs. Since April 2026, we have added Louise Evans, an aspiring local 400m athlete, to our sponsorship.

Based in Aylesham, training in Blackheath & Bromley, and coached by former sprinter and 100m Gold medal winner Linford Christie, Louise has shown real promise so far. Thanks to Harwood’s recent support, she has been able to recover from setbacks and pursue her dreams, including competing at the 2028 Olympics.

Louise shared her career to date, how Harwood will support her, the highs and lows of being an athlete, her success in making the Commonwealth Games this summer, and her goals for the coming months and years.

Turning Adversity into Strength

Louise’s path has not been straightforward. Years of back-to-back injuries, including multiple broken bones and spinal injuries, threatened her career and even took her to Germany to see world-renowned doctors. Rather than holding her back, those years shaped her.

“Those years of adversity unlocked my resilience and grit to the highest level,” Louise says. “I learned so much about myself and my body during those challenging times.” Over the past two years, she has applied those lessons, stayed mostly healthy, and seen the results.

The Best Season Yet

Louise describes 2026 as her best season yet. After an indoor season that didn’t reflect her training, she sat down with her coach, completed a demanding final block of work, and headed to a five-week training camp in Florida, funded with help from Harwood. “This camp really set the trajectory of my season,” she explains. She ran her fastest-ever season openers, coming close to her personal best.]

Back home, an England call-up followed for the 100m and 4x100m at the Loughborough International, where Louise finished second in the 100m. She also raced on the World Athletics Continental Tour in Italy, Slovenia and France, collecting multiple podium finishes. The standout came in Italy, where she won the 400m in one of her fastest-ever times, then returned just 20 minutes later to win the 200m.

At the British Championships, Louise ran a personal best and finished higher than she ever has, finally breaking what she calls her British Championships curse. The time came just after the Commonwealth Games selection deadline, but the story was far from over.

From late call-up to Glasgow

Louise received a late call-up to the Commonwealth Games mixed 4x400m relay. Within hours, she was on her way to Loughborough for relay practice, then headed straight to Glasgow once her place was confirmed.

“Having my first major championships at home was so special,” she says. “The energy in the stadium was insane, and having my parents there made it even more special.”]

When the team changed, Louise was asked to run the 4x100m instead, an event with very different technical demands from the one she had prepared for. “If I’m honest, I was terrified! I was shaking on the start line,” she admits. But she pulled herself together, ran the final leg and helped the team qualify for the final. Team leaders praised her resilience and composure. “I am so proud of how I handled myself and my emotions at the championships,” Louise says. “But now I want more!”

What’s next in Louise’s journey?

Next year brings the European Team Championships and the World Championships, and Louise is changing her winter training, increasing the intensity to make the relay team and qualify in her individual event. With qualification based on ranking points, mostly earned on the Continental Tour, she will be focusing her time and finances on racing there.

The ultimate goal remains 2028, with Harwood committed to supporting Louise’s journey as she prepares for her first Olympic team.

Louise is grateful for the backing she has received. “Thank you again to Harwood for their support this year,” she says. “None of this would’ve been possible without it.”

Everyone at Harwood congratulates Louise on an outstanding season, and we look forward to cheering her on as she heads into 2027.

Ben Cheeseman, Commercial Director at Harwood Building Control, adds:

“Louise has shown such dedication to achieving her dream of becoming an athlete, and her strength and determination following setbacks are inspiring. Being able to support the next steps in a journey is something we are very proud of.

“It’s nice to see our sponsorship played a part in supporting Louise to get to the Commonwealth Games in Scotland, and we look forward to seeing how the next part of her journey progresses.”