Female ultra runners are making waves

In the world of ultra running, female runners are making waves. Every year, more and more women are taking on the challenge of competing in 50k and 100k (and beyond) ultra marathons. This rise in female participation is a testament to their strength, determination, and perseverance, and it is inspiring other women to take up this unique sport.

“Keep going. Work hard enough so that the only voice you hear inside your head is yelling at you that you can.”
Courtney Dauwalter

Courtney Dauwalter ultra marathons runner — Courtney Dauwalter, Transgrancanaria 2023

What’s driving this increase?

There are several factors driving the increase in female ultra runners. For one thing, there is now greater awareness about the sport due to its increased visibility on social media. This has allowed female athletes to connect with each other and form supportive communities that encourage them to push their limits and take on new challenges.

In addition, there have been major advances in gear designs specifically targeting female athletes. For instance, many shoe companies have introduced lightweight shoes designed for women with narrower feet than traditional running shoes offer. With these specialised pieces of gear available, women can now comfortably tackle longer distances without putting too much strain on their bodies.

Penine Barrier ultra marathons runner — Pennine Barrier Ultra 2022

Finally, more female-focused races are being held around the world every year. This helps create a sense of camaraderie among participants while providing a strong incentive for women who may not have considered trying out ultra running before. It also gives experienced runners an opportunity to test their skills against top-tier competitors from different countries and cultures.

Female ultra runners are pushing boundaries by taking on increasingly difficult challenges such as 50 mile and 100 mile races. There is no doubt that this is an exciting time for the sport as it continues to grow in popularity among both men and women alike.

“The women are just incredible over the races because I feel women can tolerate pain, and they shine in ultradistance running. It won’t be long until many of our races feature neck-and-neck battles for the overall winner… At this year’s edition, 23% of the finishers were women.”
Laura Yates, Race Director at Chester Ultra

Chester Ultra female ultra runners in woods — Credit: Chester Ultra 2023

Whether you’re an experienced runner or just getting started with distance running, there is nothing quite like tackling ultra marathons, and now more women than ever before are doing just that! So don’t be afraid to take that first step you never know where it might lead!

Read our special series of articles as part of the ‘Ultra Women: Sponsored by Altra’ feature…