Women In Ultrarunning: Part 1 | Valley Green Inn, Valley Green Road, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Sports & Fitness
Running
The Women In Ultrarunning Series aims to increase female representation in the sport in an enjoyable and accessible manner. The first event of this four-part series, Women In Ultrarunning: Part 1, will take place at the esteemed Valley Green Inn in Philadelphia's Wissahickon area. The primary topic for discussion during this event will be an Introduction to Ultras. Shockingly, only approximately 23% of ultramarathon runners identify as female. While this percentage has been gradually increasing over the years, it is evident that ultrarunning remains a predominantly male-dominated sport. Many non-male individuals struggle to see themselves as part of this community and feel like they don't belong. This feeling personally affected me for a long time, despite having had overwhelmingly positive experiences and having met extraordinary individuals across the gender spectrum within the ultra world. The fear of not fitting in and not seeing oneself in this space held me back from participating for far too long. I firmly believe that the more opportunities we create to witness others like us in this sport, the more individuals will be encouraged to join, resulting in a more diverse community. With the gracious support of HOKA, I am delighted to announce the "Women In Ultrarunning: A Series." This comprehensive four-part series on ultrarunning is specifically designed for those who identify as female. The series will cover various topics, including mental strategies, hill running, technical trails, and nutrition. The runs will begin with a one-hour duration, gradually increasing by 30 minutes each month, with the option to shorten the routes if necessary. The pace will be relaxed and conversational, about 13 minutes per mile on the trails. HOKA will be present at each event, providing snacks, giveaways, and possibly even special prizes. The series commences on January 7th, 2024, at 8am, with the initial meeting point being the Valley Green Inn in Philadelphia's Wissahickon area. My aspiration for this series is to create a space where women can unite, learn from one another, and feel a sense of belonging within the ultrarunning community. Additionally, I hope this series serves as a catalyst to increase female registration for the Dirty German Endurance Fest in May 2024. Historically, Dirty German has had similar female registration rates as previously mentioned. It would be incredible to achieve gender parity this year, with a 50/50 registration split. Join me in making this vision a reality!