Lisa Arscott, 42, from Birmingham, inspires many women nationwide to take up ultra-distance running. As a black woman, she recognises the lack of representation within the ultrarunning sphere, citing that many in the black community feel boxed into sprint distances.
She hopes her contribution will encourage other women of colour to lace up their running shoes, get out on the trails and approach longer distances.
Lisa will soon participate in Threshold Sports’ trail ultra-marathon, Race to the King, on 15th June 2024. Limited spaces are still available across the 50k and 100k routes. Threshold Sports has launched the Ultra 50:50 campaign, aiming for gender parity in their ultra-marathons and providing support for women to help remove barriers to participation in these races.
What inspired you to begin running long-distance?
I have always enjoyed the space and tranquillity of running long distances but always feared going longer. Then, one day, I ran a marathon with a friend; we got lost and did what we called an accidental ultra. I remember looking at my watch and seeing 27 miles and feeling so shocked that it passed 26 and I was still alive.
That sowed the seed of curiosity in me of what I could do. Am I able to go even further? It made me realise that the only thing holding me back was my mind, not my body. We did 28 miles that day, and I woke up the next morning not broken, just a little sore. That’s when it started…… what could I do next if I encouraged myself?
Then, I had to acquire and gain knowledge of the ultra-running world. That was a big barrier at first because I knew nobody who did it. The National Running Show was a godsend when it came to that aspect.
Why do you think the black community is underrepresented in the running?
I feel that the black community is underrepresented in this field because they don’t see people that look like them. When I was growing up, sprinting was my thing, and I was obsessed with it. My role models were Linford Christie, Daley Thompson etc. As a family, we always watched them, and I tried to emulate them at school as the only black girl.
I used to win the 100m sprints at sports day when I was in junior school, but I quite simply never saw anyone in the field of marathons or mountain running representing the Jamaican community from my early years all the way through to my late 30s.
I never knew it was an area that I could access because, for years, it was like you were put into this box of sprinting. It was almost like this invisible norm of acceptance and that other areas of running weren’t open to you. I can now see why because certain barriers can prevent minority groups from accessing that, like resources, skills, locations, etc.
I did two ultras 8 years ago, and I was the only woman of colour there on both occasions.
How has endurance running helped you? What are the benefits?
Endurance running has helped me in so many ways. My mind and my mental health have been transformed, and that was a wonderful asset to help me alongside being a teacher/leader in a secondary school. It has helped me so much with my strength and endurance; I have never felt so strong or proud when smashing those miles.
Just me, myself, my music and the trails. Spending a day out in the countryside with my favourite snacks with no pressure pushing myself past the limits of my mind is an extraordinary gift to be able to experience so often. I am always so deeply proud of myself for getting out and doing it, knowing full well I would feel amazing afterwards because it isn’t always easy.
What barriers do you think are in place that prevent women from getting into trail running and ultrarunning?
I feel one of the biggest barriers women face with regard to trail running is a combination of factors. I feel there is a huge element of this. It isn’t a road; what and where on earth do I start? What clothes do I need? What are trail shoes? Where on earth are the trails? Am I safe on the trails?
One thing I still battle with today is there is a certain route I live in Birmingham that I love, but I know that I won’t see anyone for around 3 hours, and that bothers me at times because it makes me question, am I safe? What happens if I fall amongst the cows?
One time, the cows went for me and I had to run over a fence to get away. Another time it was 2 pm and I had to turn back because it just seemed dark and I became afraid. All I could think about was the Blair witch project.
I still battle with that sometimes, but I became aware of a Strava feature where Is, pick my contact and they communicate my route just in case to them and coordinates just in case. Navigation is also another factor.
What could race directors do to encourage more women and people from the black community to enter?
I feel that race directors should be offering both women and the black community an opportunity to speak and share what barriers they feel they face initially and what they think should be put in place to help them get there to these events first of all.
That could be done in a quick survey, and that completed with data collection that races can obtain with percentages would help them understand what communities are underrepresented as a starting point.
Then, I think they should have an objective that they would like to meet to address these issues and then work alongside either community groups or other groups to work towards addressing those barriers and overcoming them.
If they have the voice of both communities, women and minority groups, this would be transformative, but communication and hearing people’s barriers is imperative to moving forward and addressing those needs and concerns.
Lisa and Deborah are taking part in Threshold Sports’ trail ultra-marathon, Race to the King, on 15th June 2024. Limited spaces are still available across the 50k and 100k routes. Threshold Sports has launched the Ultra 50:50 campaign, aiming for gender parity in their ultra-marathons and providing support for women to help remove barriers to participation in these races.