The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) has celebrated the conclusion of the second edition of Women’s Trail Day, an international initiative dedicated to supporting women in trail running. The event took place between May 30 and June 1, 2026, across five continents and multiple time zones.
Organised by ITRA, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the development, promotion, and governance of trail running, the initiative aims to make the sport more accessible and visible. Supported by official initiative partner ANTA GUANJUN, the second edition brought together more than 40 organisations worldwide to host local events, community activities, and educational sessions.
According to ITRA, women currently represent approximately 30.5% of its international database. The organisation views this figure as both a sign of progress and a clear call to action to improve accessibility for women at every level of the sport.
Janet Ng, President of ITRA, said “Every step we take today is paving the way for someone tomorrow to believe she belongs in trail running too. That is the spirit of Women’s Trail Day: not simply a moment of celebration, but a commitment by ITRA to keep widening access, deepening belonging, and building a sport with inclusion at its heart. And we’re just getting started. Together, we can help more women discover, explore, and enjoy the trails.”
The 2026 Women’s Trail Day ffcampaign featured group runs, community gatherings, and educational events. Local communities hosted activities in locations such as Hong Kong, the Philippines, Serbia, the UK, the US, and Brazil. Additional activations included a free trail race entry initiative for women in Portugal, as well as an educational webinar exploring inclusion, representation, and female experiences in the sport.
The flagship gathering of the event took place on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Chamonix, France. Co-organised with tour provider Run the Alps, the event brought together women for a 7–8km social trail run, followed by a discussion session at Big Mountain Basecamp.
Stephanie Case, a Women’s Trail Day ambassador and guest speaker in Chamonix, said “Since becoming a mother, I am grateful for every minute I spend on the trails. I want to continue pursuing big adventures and ambitious goals so that I can show my daughter what women can achieve in the mountains and on the trails.”
Annabel Alfonso, Head of Marketing and Partnerships at Run the Alps, said “The thing that struck us this year was who showed up – not one type of runner, but a real mix of ages and experience levels, all running together. The energy during the run reflected it: inclusive, welcoming and genuinely excited to be there. Run the Alps is proud to support ITRA’s Women’s Trail Day and its work to get more women on the trails.”
Following the conclusion of the 2026 activations, the organisation has announced that Women’s Trail Day 2027 will take place on Tuesday, June 1, 2027. Community activities will be encouraged across the preceding weekend on May 29–30, 2027, and through to June 1st.
ITRA will invite races, clubs, and community leaders to register their 2027 activations, share local stories, and help establish more entry points for women into trail running.
