
Ally Head
Ally Head is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health and Sustainability Editor, a ten-time marathoner, and a Boston Qualifying runner. With nine years of editorial experience under her belt, she has a keen eye for a story, a passion for digital journalism, and is always innovating and pushing boundaries with how online content should be delivered to ensure her pillars are consistent top performers. Day-to-day, she manages a team of freelancers and works across site strategy, features, and e-commerce, overseeing all health and sustainability content, commissioning strategy, and reporting and effortlessly sustaining growth. She spearheads MC UK's yearly Women in Sport covers, interviewing and shooting athletes including Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Daryll Neita, and Lavaia Nielsen, and also oversees the brand's Start The Year Strong anti-fad January health campaign. She regularly hosts panels and presents for events such as the MC Sustainability Awards, alongside presenting for her two regular franchises, Decoded and Wellness Wins. The first is an Instagram franchise where she interviews fitness royalty, including the likes of Kayla Itsines, Jillian Michaels, and Doctor Julie Smith, in front of millions of followers, and her newest addition, Wellness Wins, shines a spotlight on the latest must-try wellness products. Before joining MC, she freelanced for the likes of Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Grazia, The Telegraph, Refinery29, Stylist, Good Housekeeping, and more. Prior to that, she was headhunted to lead digital strategy at Foodism. Her first ever journalism job was at Women's Health, where she worked for three years and headed up their nutrition content, cutting through the clean eating noise and enlisting qualified dieticians and nutritionists to give their take on everything from protein shakes to probiotic gut health supplements. Shortlisted for three BSME awards, she won one in 2022 for her work in the sustainability sphere and scooped a Future Editorial Excellence award in 2025, too, winning "Magazine Of The Year" for her joint Ilona Maher cover with Rugby World at the Future Awards 2025. She has an MA in Magazine Journalism from City University and a BA in English Language from the University of Birmingham. When she's not writing, she's training for her next race or hunting down a good pastry. Follow Ally on Instagram for more.
Latest articles by Ally Head
-
Eager To Beat Your Personal Best or Achieve a New Distance Goal? I Run Most Days—11 Best Races To Book NowRunning is *the* workout of the year - and these are the bucket list races to have on your radar.
By Ally Head
-
I'm an 11-Time Marathoner Who Just Ran My Fastest Time Ever—I Swear This Handy Nutrition-Tracking Device Made the Biggest DifferenceTaking the guesswork out of fuelling, once and for all.
By Ally Head
-
Experts Swear by Probiotics for Women—These Are the 7 Brands a Health Coach RecommendsFind out which are actually worth your investment.
By Ally Head
-
These Are, Hands Down, the Best Petite Gym Leggings That Money Can Buy According to Our 5ft1 EditorsNo slouchy ankles here, thank you
By Ally Head
-
The Renaming of PCOS Marks a Major Shift In Women’s Health—Here’s What You Need to KnowPlus, Dr Hazel Wallace shares what she wishes she'd known sooner about advocating for yourself in a medical setting.
By Ally Head
-
We’re Hard to Impress—but These 10 Cycling Shorts Are the Best for Sweaty Summer WorkoutsTried and tested.
By Ally Head
-
Battling With Thigh Rub? These Are the 11 Chafing Cream Products Our Editors Swear ByGlide your way through the summer.
By Ally Head
-
Only Got 5 Minutes To Cook? Your Ultimate Busy Woman Nutrition Bible, According to Emily EnglishAs her third cookbook, So Good Express, hits shelves.
By Ally Head
-
I'm a Renowned Female Health Expert—and I Want You To Know The Truth About Marathon Training and Your CycleFeeling inspired by the London Marathon? You'll want to read this.
By Ally Head
-
I've Run 11 Marathons—15 Things You Need to Know Before Running Your First 26.2Feeling inspired by the London Marathon?
By Ally Head
-
So Long, Dehydration: 8 Best Electrolyte Products To Boost Muscle Recovery and Heatwave HydrationTrust me on this one.
By Ally Head
-
I Spoke To The World's Fastest Marathoner—6 Insider Tips from Kipchoge, If You're Considering Running a MarathonBookmark this for later.
By Ally Head
-
Easy Escapes: The Newman is a Faultless, Elevated Bolthole In the Heart of FitzroviaDon't sleep on this new opening - it's the epitome of an elevated, stylish London stay.
By Ally Head
-
10 best healthy meal delivery services for tasty, nutrient-dense food, as tested by team MC UKKeen to scroll the best companies prepping healthy, tasty meals ready to deliver to your door? Look no further.
By Ally Head
-
I'm a 10x Marathoner Who Swears By Carbon Plate Trainers For Setting PBs—8 Best To Invest InInvest in progress.
By Ally Head
-
“At 43, I Couldn’t Run for a Bus—Now I Run Marathons, Despite Being Visually Impaired and Managing Diabetes"Overcoming adversity, one stride at a time.
By Ally Head
-
I'm a Marathon Runner Who Rates New Balance—These 10 Items Have My ApprovalTried and tested over the marathon distance and more.
By Ally Head
-
23 Running Shorts That Don’t Ride Up, Chafe, or Sag, Sweat Tested by a Health Editor Who Runs Most DaysLooking for new fit kit? You're in the right place.
By Ally Head
-
Sustainable Living Needn’t Feel Overwhelming – 43 Easy Ways to Incorporate Eco Practices Into Your EverydayLet these tips from the top sustainability pros help.
By Ally Head
-
8 Gen Z Climate Activists Changing the Future One Campaign at a TimeRefresh your social media feeds with noteworthy climate activists.
By Ally Head
-
I Work Out 5 Times a Week - and These Sustainable Activewear Brands Really Hold Their WorthDo your bit and sweat in planet-friendly kit.
By Ally Head
-
I Surveyed 5000 Women on Their Menstrual Cycles - Even as an Expert, I Was Shocked at the FindingsAddressing the real-life lived experience of the menstrual cycle and how our perception of the cycle affects day-to-day life, one research paper at a time.
By Dr Hazel Wallace
-
On the Hunt for the Best Running Shoes? I’m a Marathon Runner Who’s Tested 1000+ Pairs. My Definitive PickFor every distance, budget and gait.
By Ally Head
-
As Health Editors Who Test Products Every Day – The Viral Whoop Fitness Tracker Has Become a Steadfast FavouriteYou'll have seen the stats on your social feeds - but is it worth the investment?
By Ally Head
-
I’m a Wellness Editor Who Hates Treatments and Appointments With a Passion – but These 6 are Total Game-ChangersHonestly? They’ve completely changed my outlook on how soothing self-care can be.
By Ally Head
-
On the Hunt for the Best Protein Powder for Women? 13 a Health Editor Uses to Boost Satiety and Build MuscleLet the gains, begin.
By Ally Head
-
As Editors Who Love Home Workouts, Trust Us - These Are the 9 Exercise Mats Worth Your MoneyFor Pilates, weights, and everything in between
By Ally Head


