International race series World Trail Majors notes that, due to its relatively young age, trail running has made progress in female inclusivity compared to other sports. However, there is room for improvement.
The event series points out that… ‘Women are a fundamental part of this sport, but participation remains low in many races, indicating room for improvement. We decided to establish a few internal rules across World Trail Majors events and enlisted to help of SheRACES to ensure we covered all bases and took the most meaningful steps.’
There are a number of commitments that the series organising team wants all World Trail Majors races to make. These aim to ensure barriers to female participation are removed.
- Imagery/content: Website, social media, and all other forms of marketing to promote inclusivity. From the website homepage through the race pages, to newsletters, previews, results, race reports, dedicate equal space in words and images to the women’s and men’s races as well as covering all demographics included in races. Use images of the entire race field, not just professionals.
- Race overviews and language: Do not use terminology to make the races appear more difficult than they are with the risk of deterring women from participating. Try to present a balanced and accurate view of the races’ level of difficulty.
- Race information: Helpful for all, but important for female safety, include as much information as possible in sign-up information regarding how to get to event, where to stay, bag drop facilities, toilet facilities, aid station supplies, kit recommendations and more. Ensure an active contact system provides timely and prompt responses to enquiries through social media or email.
- Fair deferral/refund policies for pregnancy and post-partum: 2-year deferral and / or 100% refund policy for pregnancy and post-partum. Applies to partners and adoption for a 3-month window of due date.
- Period products: Provide a selection of different feminine hygiene products at the start, finish and every aid station/checkpoint.
- Toilets/changing facilities: separate toilets and changing areas at start/finish and where possible at all aid stations. Also, race rules should remind athletes about not going to the toilet directly on the trail.
- Safety: Offer a buddy system / support runners or group runners on overnight sections or on areas that could be considered at risk for lone females.
- Volunteering: Each aid station volunteer team should include women.
- Anonymity: Any request to anonymise results to be honoured.
- Clothing/merchandise: To be available in male and female fit and sizes.
- Breastfeeding/expressing: make a reasonable provision when possible and required for a private area if requested at check points.
- Room to race: Allow leading women their own space at the start if possible. Race rules to remind all athletes not to crowd, intimidate or make derogatory comments to other athletes anywhere on course.
- Unacceptable behaviour: Any report of unacceptable behaviour or harassment must be taken seriously. Take swift action and ensure that there is an appropriate outcome/punishment where applicable.
- Awards/prizes: Equal for women and men.
- Cut offs: To be sufficiently generous whilst still offering the challenge everyone is seeking. Shorter early cut offs don’t help women who tend to run at a more consistent pace.
Sophie Power, Founder SheRACES, said “I’m delighted that all the World Trail Majors events are adopting SheRACES guidelines – showing they actively welcome more women on their start lines, and commit to give female athletes a positive experience and equally value our competition.
“Women face many barriers to running ultramarathons and so are a minority on start lines. This support and leadership from such iconic races will inspire other events to remove the barriers they can and make our sport better for women globally.”
World Trail Majors is a non-profit association formed by 10 independent trail running races with the aim of promoting the sport in a diverse and sustainable way that aims to safeguard the original spirit of trail/ultra running. 2024 is the inaugural year for the race series.
The association is formed by Anta Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon, Black Canyon Ultras, The North Face Transgrancanaria, Mt Fuji 100, MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail, Swiss Canyon Trail, South Downs Way 100, Quebec Mega Trail, Grand Raid des Pyrenees and RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town.
