THERE’S no denying that ultra-distance running is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, with more than 15,000 athletes participating last year. Stand on the startline of an ultra, though, and it’s quite apparent that men outnumber women in terms of entries. And the longer the race, the bigger the difference.
Although lagging behind in participation stats, women are no slouches when it comes to getting the job done or placing fairly high up in the ranks. There’s generally a lower proportion of DNFs in the women’s field and it’s not uncommon for women to win races outright.