Charting the Rise of Women-Only Races

Women are becoming an increasingly powerful force in the world of running. According to data from Running USA, 59% of participants in any given road race are women, a trend that looks set to continue. And that’s not the only reason to be optimistic about the women’s running boom. Since the 1970s, there’s been an explosion in the number of women-focused races, which has done much to reverse the massive gender imbalance that was once present in long-distance running. Get the lowdown on the history of women’s running, as well as the benefits that these exclusively female races provide.

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