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Credit: Bjarni Baldursson @iambjarni / Hólmsheiðarhlaup
The International Trail Running Association (ITRA), in collaboration with the Pro Trail Runners Association (PTRA) – Women’s Equality Group, has been carrying out joint actions since 2024 to help create more inclusive and welcoming trail race environments worldwide.
Data from the ITRA database shows that female participation has increased from 16% in 2007 to 30.5% in 2025. At the same time, the structure of participation remains uneven (depending on distance and region). This shows that change does not happen on its own and does not progress in the same way everywhere.
Who stands on the start line is influenced by many factors – from the design of the course and race format, to logistics, communication and the representation of women in promotional materials, as well as the culture of the sport, access to training communities and the visibility of female role models.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we reached out to several organisers who are actively working to increase female participation in their events – representing different regions and race formats. Their experience shows that meaningful progress is the result of intentional decisions, consistency and long-term commitment.
At Centurion Running (UK), Race Director James Elson emphasises that change is not the result of a single initiative.
“Positive change doesn’t arrive through statements of intent. It comes from deliberate action, iteration, and a willingness to look honestly at the experience we’re creating on the ground.”
Over the past 15 years, his team has reviewed different areas of their operations – events, retail and coaching – to identify where practical adjustments could reduce barriers and support the growth of women’s participation.
One of the most significant steps has been supporting women in stepping up to longer distances.
“By actively supporting women moving from 50km to 100-mile events – through mentorship, storytelling, qualification clarity and our world class team of female coaches – we’ve seen confidence build. That confidence translates into entries.”
Clear qualification rules, the visibility of female coaches and clear communication about development opportunities build athletes’ confidence, and that confidence translates into future starts.
Centurion also reviewed imagery and language across its channels to ensure they reflected the diversity of the field it aimed to see.
Credit: Pierre Papet @further.run / Centurion Running
Survey insights shared last year showed that infrastructure, communication and realistic cut-off times have a significant influence on female participation. Organisers we spoke with confirm that race design and operational decisions directly shape both female entry numbers and long-term engagement.
Centurion, in collaboration with the SheRACES association, reviewed the logistics of its events, identifying areas requiring adjustment – including kit guidance, sanitary infrastructure, on-course support and volunteer preparation.
James Elson adds:
“If half the population feels marginal, we are not doing our job as organisers.”
In Iceland, organisers are adopting comparable approaches. As explained by Sólstöðuhlaupið Head Organiser Hafrún Helga Arnardóttir:
“Our focus has been on creating an inclusive, welcoming and community-driven event where everyone feels comfortable taking part, regardless of pace or experience.”
The 14 km distance is positioned as beginner-friendly, with realistic cut-off times. Event communication emphasises atmosphere, safety and experience – not only competition.
Pentecost Trail Run, organised by Haukar Running Group near Reykjavík, illustrates in practice how structural choices translate into greater accessibility:
Consistent operational choices build trust, and that trust translates into participation.
Credit: Bjarni Baldursson @iambjarni / Hólmsheiðarhlaupið
Beyond infrastructure and course design, organisers are increasingly taking into account the everyday realities of participants. In discussions with members of the PTRA Women’s Equality Group, recurring themes include work–life balance, access to training time and safety – particularly for parents balancing employment, childcare and race preparation.
For many female athletes, the challenge is not a lack of motivation, but finding the time and structure to train alongside professional and family responsibilities. In response, some events are introducing practical measures such as children’s races, family zones at the start and finish areas, activities for accompanying family members, or slightly later start times for shorter distances. In certain cases, on-site childcare is also offered during race hours.
Clear and transparent communication about course safety – before and during the event – helps reduce uncertainty. Equally important is ensuring that partners and children who accompany athletes feel included in the race environment, including at aid stations.
Beyond logistical considerations, community and visible female representation are equally important. They build a sense of belonging and influence the willingness to return.
Simona Vareikaite, representing Ultraform – organisers of Hólmsheiðarhlaup – explains that support for participants begins long before race day.
“We speak about the race from the very beginning not as a purely competitive event, but as a personal challenge and a shared community experience. Our coaches actively encourage beginners and help them see that taking part is within their reach.”
Ultraform operates two gyms where many members (mainly women) train together. Preparation programmes are adapted to different ability levels, creating a natural transition from training to racing.
Shorter distances are communicated as open to everyone. Walking on the course is fully accepted, and volunteers create a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
Organisers also highlight the importance of visible female role models in building a sense of belonging, which lowers the barrier to entry.
“When women see strong female role models taking part and speaking positively about the event, it significantly lowers the barrier to entry.”
Credit: Guðmundur Freyr Jónsson @gummi_st / Hvítasunnuhlaup Hauka
High female participation is not the result of a single initiative. It is the outcome of long-term efforts in which organisers treat inclusion as a permanent part of their work, not a one-off campaign.
The impact of these operational adjustments has been measurable, with female participation increasing steadily and, importantly, retention improving over time.
Some organisers describe a move towards regular monitoring of participation, collecting feedback and introducing yearly adjustments to race design. This data-informed approach helps better understand what truly lowers barriers and what still requires improvement.
When operational decisions are connected to participation data and real runner experiences, inclusion stops being a declaration and becomes a lasting element of event structures, a real change.
Across different contexts and event scales, higher female participation is achievable — when inclusion is treated as a structural priority.
As James Elson summarises:
“If we want women to remain in trail running for the long term, we must design events so that they are not merely accommodated, but placed at the centre. This should not be exceptional practice. It should be the standard.”
International Women’s Day, along with initiatives such as Women’s Trail Day, creates space to highlight best practice and inspire change. However, it is the everyday decisions made across the trail running community that truly shape the conditions for women’s participation.
Who stands on the start line is not a matter of chance. It is the result of decisions and actions taken across the trail running community.
ITRA would like to thank James Elson (Centurion Running), Hafrún Helga Arnardóttir (Sólstöðuhlaupið), Sigtryggur Brynjarsson and the Haukar Running Group team (Pentecost Trail Run), and Simona Vareikaite (Ultraform / Hólmsheiðarhlaup) for sharing their experience and operational insights for this article.
Their experience and practical approach to inclusive race design provide valuable reference points for the wider trail running community.
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