News Release: Choose to Challenge

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On International Women’s Day, Girls Run the World announce our choose to challenge initiative to address gender disparity in three main areas, trail running, triathlon and coaching

Girls Run the World was born out of a demand for a sports tech platform, that offers digital training and coaching specific to women in running and triathlon.

Today, on International Women’s Day 2021 we announce our two year initiative as part of the campaign #ChooseToChallenge in the following areas.

TRAIL RUNNING

Inspiring trail runner, Beth Pascall
Female athletes such as like Beth Pascall, (featured on our podcast in 2019) inspire many. But many women still worry about getting lost of the trails proving a barrier to participation. Photo credit: bethpascall.com

Our mission is to increase the numbers of women participating in trail running. Although this figure is increasing, studies ndicate that only 27% those taking part in ultra trail running are women.

In 2020, over 600 women took part in Girls Run the World V Ultra Alps, sponsored by Salomon Running and Kamoot.

Aimed at encouraging women’s participation in trail running, our surveys revealed that a fear of navigation and time to train on trails were the main barriers to participation. Over 70% of those who took part said they would now consider doing an ultra marathon.

We will work to address this with our Run Wild Coaching Days, Ultra running training programmes and our 2021 V Ultra Alps, (registration opens in April).

TRIATHLON

girls Run the World on a mission to take more women to Ironman

Our goal is to get an equal number of women to an 140.6 mile distance finish line by 2023. According to Ironman, the number of women globally who take part is just 21%.

We aim to do this by sharing more content to support women training for triathlon, alongside creating virtual training groups that will help progress women through shared event race goals building to Ironman in 2023.

In 2021, this goal will be the Castle Triathlon Series, Hever, September 27-28th 2021. We also invite all those interested to join our triathlon specific mailing list for our Ironwoman campaign.

FEMALE COACHES

Our contributors‘ encompass women from the worlds of triathlon, cycling, ultra running, physio, strength, recovery and nutrition. The number of professional female coaches at the last Olympic Games was just 11%.

Every major race event company currently use male founded – or exclusively male – coaching companies. Grounded Events stand alone in being the first event company in the UK to partner with a female sports tech platform to provide coaching and training advice.

Our goal is to amplify the voices of female coaches and experts showcasing female expertise in the content, sports science and more.

We aim to partner with more race companies and female experts to help create training solutions through the female filter. If you are a coach or expert interested in working with us, Click here.

Girls Run the World are interested in hearing from any brands and event companies who share our mission and would be interested in partnering on any of our initiatives. Work with Us.