Creating space, building confidence, and inspiring more women to race
On Saturday 18th October I led a female-only group run in partnership with Kailas FUGA, who supported the run by offering shoes and vests to try on and by giving us the talented services of photographer Tanya Raab to commemorate the occasion.
Female-only group runs are reshaping the landscape of running. By providing safety, confidence, and community, they’re helping more women discover trail running and inspiring them to take their place on race start lines across the country. Women are still under-represented in the world of trail, at all levels. I hope these group runs encourage women to discover the joy and freedom found in trail and, ultimately, support them to the start line of trail races.
A Safe and Supportive Starting Point
For many women new to the sport, trail running can feel intimidating. Remote terrain, technical descents, and perceptions of risk can discourage participation in races. I believe female-only group runs can remove those barriers. They offer safety in numbers, allowing women to explore new trails with confidence, with freedom from pressure; where no one feels judged by pace or experience. They offer encouragement from peers, creating a relaxed environment to learn and enjoy the outdoors.
Confidence Through Skills and Shared Learning
The transition from trail runner to trail racer often comes down to confidence. Female-only group runs can offer practical skills, navigation, gear choice, safety planning, with mentoring and shared stories. When women learn together, self-belief grows. As comfort with terrain and conditions improves, so can readiness for adventure, whether it’s a 10km fell race or an ultra marathon.
Building a Sense of Belonging
Representation is key. Women need to see others like them leading and participating, then they will feel that they too belong on the trails. I believe female-only runs will foster this sense of belonging through camaraderie and shared purpose. The friendships and accountability that grow from these sessions could carry over into further events and when women turn up together, it transforms the start line atmosphere for everyone.
Women are still under-represented in the world of trail, at all levels. We hope to encourage women to discover the joy and freedom found in trail. – Kailas FUGA
Trail running is not only physically empowering but also mentally restorative. Group runs create space for honest conversations around the challenges women face, from body image and menstrual cycles to pregnancy recovery and menopause. With supportive company, running on the trails becomes a form of self-care rather than competition, making it easier for women to stay active and motivated over the long term.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
I’m hoping that those who join female-only runs may go on to lead them. As more female run leaders, mentors, and volunteers emerge, the culture of trail running becomes more inclusive and accessible. That representation matters: it influences how events are organised, how women are portrayed in outdoor media, and how inclusive brands and clubs become.
The number of women entering trail and ultra races is growing, but men still make up the majority of participants. I’m really hoping that female-only runs could help bridge that gap by creating a pipeline from social running to organised racing. By offering skills, community, and encouragement that interest will turn into action. The more accessible and supportive the entry points, the stronger, and more diverse, the sport becomes.
By supporting these events through professional gear and our FUGA athletes, we can draw new women into the sport, enhance the performance of aspiring athletes and level up the field. As a brand it gives us a chance to discover new communities, better understand the challenges and needs of women runners and in the long run optimise our products for women. – Kailas FUGA
Partnering with brands to make a difference
Partnering with brands for these runs doesn’t just help me raise awareness or reach more women. It’s a two-way relationship. By connecting directly with female runners in real settings, brands can listen, learn, and improve their products and designs for women. From shoe fit and pack ergonomics to clothing comfort and performance, these real-world insights help shape better gear that truly meets our needs.
Creating Space, Not Separation
I want to be clear that I’m not suggesting all women need this kind of support. Many women are already confident, experienced, and perfectly comfortable toeing the line alongside men. But even those runners can have needs that can make a women-only environment valuable, whether that’s being able to talk openly about physical or personal topics without feeling self-conscious, or simply enjoying that same sense of ease we might feel in a women’s changing room. At the same time, there are many women who do need a helping hand to get started, and I’m here for them too.
I’m planning mixed group runs as well; they are just as important for different reasons. But right now, when I listen to what’s being asked for, it’s clear that this is something women want and need, and that’s what I’m responded to when planning this run.
Female-only group runs are catalysts for change. They can empower women to explore the outdoors with confidence, connect through shared experience, and ultimately show up on trail race start lines ready to test themselves and each other. When women lift one another on the trails, I believe the ripple effect will be felt throughout the sport, from community runs to the toughest ultra marathons.
All photos courtesy of Tanya Raab and Kailas FUGA
My thanks to Pip Ebel and Poppy Collingwood from Kailas FUGA, Jilly Walstow and Iona Davidson from SheStrides Events and Siobhan Brennan for their help and collaboration in planning this run.
