Media coverage of attempts, successful or unsuccessful, is also growing exponentially. If we’re lucky, we’ll hear about the top 3 women as well… but only if we’re really lucky.įKT’s are a growing trend. Live race coverage for major races on twitter follow the top 10+ male athletes. Male athletes are given exponentially more media attention than female athletes. Why aren’t more women participating in ultras? Perhaps it is because our voice in the sport is as small as our selection of gender-specific equipment. This is where we stand in the industry: four times as many products available for men, and the new women’s line… is navy and grey.
While a product line aimed specifically at women is a big step in the right direction, there are still four times as many product lines for men. Hydration companies are starting to launch women specific lines, and there is a lot of hype surrounding some of these products. Aren’t we, statistically speaking, the consumers? More women racing ultras would open the doors for the creation of more women-specific products for ultra running. It’s a well-known fact that we ladies enjoy product shopping more than men. Female participation in trail running has a direct effect to the quantity of women-specific designs. If this grace of femininity continues in ultra-running, maybe someone will finally design a women’s fast pack! (You know, because a strap right across the boobs on the current unisex versions are really “unisex.”)Īs with any sport, companies create what the market demands. In 2013 a handful of classic male trail shoes were redesigned with women’s specific versions. I love the new brightly colored windbreakers and race vests that are coming out this year. Slowly more feminine colors and flattering fits are being introduced to the market it seems that product designers are discovering that we don’t want another grey or blue item. Women-specific designs and colors were limited. In the past, ultra running was labeled as a masculine sport. This doesn’t mean that our tutu wearing, tiara-toting, road-running counterparts need to avoid the sport in its entirety, does it? If we outnumber the men on road marathons, why aren’t more of these “50k ready” women racing trail ultras? OK, so ultra running is not a pretty sport.
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