Hey there,
Today we’re going to talk about women only running events: that’s right, no men allowed! I bet you’ve come across quite a few in your local area: maybe a charity 5K for breast cancer? Or maybe even a women’s only marathon? There are plenty of these races out there, and they are very popular.
Why? There are lots of reasons why you might enjoy running just with other women. We’ll explain some to you.
We’ll take a look at how these events evolved, too.
Why women only?
From the women’s only events I’ve been to myself, and from what I hear from others, these runs are just so much fun!
There is a different atmosphere when there are only other women running with you. It can be more collegial, and more supportive. Many people describe getting a real boost from running in a big ol’ group of girls. Many also feel safer, or less conscious of their body image. There is a great sense of cameraderie at these events, and you’ll be bouyed up by the amazing atmosphere. In fact, you might even become addicted!
Now we’re not trying to say that there’s anything wrong with running with men (in fact, it is more than a little bit satisfying when you can beat them, am I right?). Men are awesome. They are great runners, too. But it’s also pretty awesome when the men in your life can be there as your support crew, cheering you on, while you run with your girlfriends. I think it’s pretty cool that in a women’s only race, you know the very first person across the line is going to be a woman, and how often does that happen out in the usual running world?
To give you an idea of the awesome atmosphere you will find at a women’s only race, I’ve got a link to a video from the finishing line of a half marathon held in the American city of Madison. I wanna go to Madison and run their race now! Don’t they seem like a lovely bunch of ladies?!
How did these events come about?
It was long thought that running (or anything too physically exerting) was bad for women. They were discouraged from doing it, or even banned. The first women’s only races were to demonstrate that women could actually run, and have a great time doing it, too.
Some of you might know the story of Katherine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in the 1960’s: an irate official tried to manhandle her off the course, he was so incensed a woman was running. Katherine is an amazing lady, so we’ll dedicate a whole post to her another time.
Did you know that the women’s marathon wasn’t even included in the Olympic Games until the 1984 Games in Los Angeles? It seems unthinkable now, when at the moment more women compete in road races and running events than men do. Times have changed!
Feeling like women’s running event could be a fun thing to try? Go and find yourself a local race to enter, and have yourself a fantastic time.
Your running buddy,
Em