Women in Ultra-Running: Challenging Limits and Lore

The assertion that ultramarathons are “too hard” for women and that female athletes lack the necessary toughness was famously articulated in 2015 by Lazarus Lake, race director of the Barkley Marathons. Of the approximately 1,000 individuals to attempt the brutal course, only 20 have ever finished. It took nine years for British runner Jasmin Paris to definitively rebut Lake’s claims, completing the 100-mile course with just 1 minute 39 seconds remaining before the 60-hour cutoff.

Paris’s historic feat appears to be part of a growing trend rather than an isolated incident. Last summer, Rachel Entrekin secured the first-ever female one-two finish at the grueling Montane Summer Spine Race, running from Derbyshire to Scotland. In May, she also became the first woman to win the Arizona-based Cocodona 250. More recently, Sophie Woods obliterated the overall record for the Via Alpina by six days.

These achievements have reignited discussion regarding whether female runners are inherently better suited to ultra-endurance challenges. However, experts caution that scientific understanding lags behind these athletic developments. Jones, who contributed to Eliud Kipchoge’s 2019 sub-two-hour marathon attempt, noted that research into ultra-endurance is underdeveloped compared to shorter distances. Dr. Richard Burden, co-lead of female athlete health and performance at the UK Sports Institute, agreed, stating that while certain physiological adaptations favorable to ultra-events exist in women, more data is required before firm conclusions can be drawn.

For many athletes, the advantage may lie in mental resilience rather than pure physiology. Ultra-endurance races involve multi-day efforts, sleep deprivation, and extreme conditions, demanding significant psychological fortitude. Woods, during her Via Alpina record run, faced wildfires that extended her route and swarms of horseflies. She described the temptation to break down, noting that women excel at adapting and persisting despite adversity.

Yngvild Kaspersen, the Norwegian general practitioner who recently became the first woman to win the Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc CCC race twice, attributed her success to rigorous mental training. She also highlighted the strong sense of camaraderie among female ultra-runners, describing how they motivate and push each other to achieve higher standards.

Sports dietitian and ultra-runner Renee McGregor suggests that female biology may also play a role. She argued that the hormonal fluctuations beginning at puberty represent a lifelong exercise in endurance. McGregor pointed to research indicating that female runners often employ more disciplined pacing strategies, leveraging a “brain bank” of experiences dealing with discomfort—such as pregnancy, childbirth, and sleep deprivation—to navigate the hardships of long-distance racing.

Despite these successes, participation remains skewed, with women comprising roughly 20% of ultramarathon starters. Sophie Power’s SheRACES initiative identifies societal perceptions, training time constraints, and lack of support as barriers. However, visibility is driving change. New Zealand recently hosted a UTMB World Series event with a 50:50 gender split, and UK providers are launching parity initiatives.

Dr. Burden emphasized that historical performance limits were largely established using male models, and distinguishing male from female limits is a necessary step. He noted that greater female participation is essential for accurate comparison. For amateur runners like 22-year-old Emily Fairs, seeing professionals succeed is vital for inspiring wider participation. Fairs reported receiving thousands of messages from women encouraged by her social media presence, suggesting that the current surge in female ultra-running success is likely just the beginning.