Women are leading the way at ultra long distances

Part of ‘Ultra Women: Sponsored by Altra’

by Jenny Catherall
1 year ago

Women may not be relegated to the back of the pack anymore! A recent study shows that ladies are leading the way when it comes to ultra-long running distances.

Results from over five million races reveal a trend: as distance increases, so does female speed; in fact, women were found, on average, slightly faster than men for runs beyond 195 miles long! Who said pushing your limits was just a man’s game?

Passion and Dedication

The key to success in any sport is passion and dedication, which also holds for ultra running. Female ultra runners put their all into their training, pushing themselves beyond their limits to set new records and achieve greater heights.

A perfect example of this was the record-breaking performance of Fernanda Maciel when she became the first woman ever to complete a 200-mile nonstop race in under 24 hours! It’s no wonder why so many people admire her determination and drive.

“I want to see how close I can get to the men’s world records or even exceed a men’s world record. I really think the future is about being able to go longer and to find out what’s possible for women.”
Camille Herron

Cammille Herron ultra runner winner — Camille Herron – Credit: Rafa Romero

Mental Strength

Ultra running requires incredible mental strength and resilience since it can be so physically demanding. Many female ultra runners have spoken about how they use visualisation techniques during their runs and positive affirmations to help them stay motivated when things get tough.

This mental fortitude is essential for anyone looking to push themselves further than they thought possible. It’s no wonder why so many female ultra runners have been able to reach such incredible heights!

“If you want to improve, throw yourself in at the deep end.”
Jasmin Paris

Supportive Community

Finally, it’s important to note that being part of the larger ultra community has helped many female athletes succeed in this gruelling sport. There is an incredible amount of support from other athletes and sponsorships from companies that want to help promote the growth of this fantastic community.

This kind of support helps motivate these female athletes to keep pushing forward and achieving more extraordinary feats with each passing race!

“I realised that I thought my confidence was affecting my results because I never thought I could do well in a race. Just having people around me that believed in me and gave me that confidence.”
Beth Pascal

Good Pain Tolerance

When it comes to endurance sports, pain tolerance plays a significant role in how successful you can be at completing the event. Women have been found to have an overall higher pain tolerance than men, meaning they can push through discomfort for more extended periods without giving up or slowing down significantly.

This makes women well suited for ultra running since these races often require runners to push themselves beyond what they think they can do to succeed.

“Few things take you to a place where you have nothing left. You can be in such a low moment, struggling through the first 50 miles of a 160-mile route, convinced you’ll never finish, and come out of it to keep climbing to such a high point. There’s so much beauty in that pain and overcoming it.”
Annie Hughes

Female athletes also tend to recover quicker from intense workouts and races due to their naturally higher levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which aid in muscle recovery. This means female runners can get back into training faster after tough races and build up their stamina more quickly than male runners might, thanks to these natural advantages!

“Keep putting one foot in front. Never stop.”
Pam Reed

All these qualities make women perfect candidates for ultra-running events! With a strong mental focus, a supportive community, good pain tolerance, and quicker recovery times than men, female athletes are well-equipped for success in long-distance races.

Read our special series of articles as part of the ‘Ultra Women: Sponsored by Altra’ feature…