She Races Ultra Trail Races excludes transwomen...

[HowToMoveOnNow]

... and is getting huge backlash on Instagram about it. 🙄 How refreshing though to see a woman-only race actually put out a statement like this though.

Unfortunately I'm already running another ultramarathon a couple of weeks before this, but I'm definitely going to volunteer to marshall if I can: www.sheracestrailseries.com/news/transgender-women-and-the-sheraces-trail-series?fbclid=PAY2xjawHSmBlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpqSLI3UDiMQ-X-TQpZrrthESOIS47KZwrwHxp9U9765Nko4aq99TYw_zhg_aem__teyn-M34TeQy5zd1RtNEA

Just seen on IG that there has been a policy update in regards to this and now transwomen can complete in these races. This has led me to unfollow.

I have written in detail before about how important it is to protect women's sport at all levels including at grassroot level. I am very disappointed in this u turn.

I've received an email today regarding the decision to include transwomen in these races.

After much reflection and listening to feedback from the trail-running community over the past month, we have made the decision in collaboration with SheRACES to change our policy, so that we include transgender women at these events. We recognise that transgender women also face barriers in competing in mixed events and with these events we have the opportunity to create a unique environment, where all women are encouraged to participate – aligning with our original mission.

This looks like capitulation to the demands of a very vociferous group of very entitled males and those who advocate on their behalf. I've replied expressing my disappointment that the event is now mixed sex but excludes all my male running friends, decent men who would not dream of gatecrashing or sabotaging a race intended for women.

Sad news. I don’t blame anyone who knuckles under to demands made by aggressive thugs. I’m not a hero myself. But I would rather see a sporting event close down than let cheating men take part ‘as women’.

It's a mess.

I highly doubt many TRA who were vociferous in their arguments are now going to enter and tbh it's put me off a bit from wanting to participate.

It's sad how women can spend disproportionate energy and time arguing for men.

It's brought out a lot of people on social media who I think a bit less of now. No one cares about trans men do they, which tells you all you need to know.

It's a shame they let themselves be bullied into going backways. Why can't these males just campaign for or organise their own categories instead of forcing their way into women's events? Oh, yeah, that's right, if they had their own categories they couldn't bully or intimidate women.

Well, that's shit.

I won't be entering. The event I planned to enter has been moved to 2026 anyway, and the only reason I would have entered one of these trail races rather than any other would have been to support the women-only initiative on behalf of those women for whom being able to take part in women-only events is important. I hope the company is offering full refunds to any woman who has already entered believing in good faith that she would be taking part in a women-only event. If I'd paid my money I'd be fuming.

We recognise that transgender women also face barriers in competing in mixed events

So do fat men. Men with short legs. Poor men. All sorts of men face barriers competing in mixed events, why should competing in women's events be the answer?

Hmm, just as most sporting bodies are going the other way. I think they made the wrong call and may yet reverse the decision. They need to read the room. People are over this nonsense now.

Well exactly

I see the argument is they are going to be using the same rules as Ourea has for their other events - a women's and an open category.

But the whole point of SheRaces (I thought) was to encourage participants who don't want to/ can't be in an event with men. It's not about podiums and medals. If it was, there's other events they can enter!

I've just replied to the email saying how disappointed I am in this decision. I was thinking about taking part in one of their events but won't be now.

There's nothing that motivates men like this quite like the opportunity to put women in their place.

Fucking losers.

ALL the people I've seen raising hell about this on SM have been women.

@Run2468 - brilliant that you are doing this - I might sign up for the Surrey Hills next year.

What is even better is that you have a stance of no cut offs - it would be my first long trail so that would give me more confidence to enter. Also - joy of joys - a recognition that unisex tops don't fit women. I was volunteering for an event and one of my fellow volunteers was really upset that the XL top didn't fit over her bust. An XL female cut one would have done so.

It's to be hoped that these women put their money where their mouths are and pay the not-inconsiderable fees in order to keep the organisation going.

I've also replied and told them I'm dissappointed, I don't want to participate in their event any more and I hope they are offering refunds. They advertised an all women event and don't intend to honour it.
Really disappointed, all women events are hard to find, especially at these distances not ultra long ones. I love the fact cross country separates by sex, we need more mid length events.

Noooooooo

Was just coming on to post about this. Just ridiculous and their fucking statement: Instagram
I've unfollowed and commented. Beyond disappointed.

FUCKING COWARDS! I hope they give refunds to anyone that entered an event based on it being single-SEX.

Lots of other categories of MEN face "barriers to entry" for running events too... that doesn't mean THEY are allowed to infiltrate FEMALE-ONLY stuff. WOMEN face unique barriers that are DIFFERENT to those faces my various categories of MEN.

I'm absolutely fucking livid that they've U-turned. It's just really grim. COWARDS.

I've just commented on the Instagram thread. But reading through the comments I felt like a lone voice. Where are they finding these people who support TW in female sports?!? I literally don't know a single person who thinks twaw in real life, and I know hundreds of people.

Hopefully, actual female runners will now boycott the event. Hitting them in the purse seems to be the way forward for these cowards.

Make sure you withdraw from marshalling now @HowToMoveOnNow

I see @Run2468 who had something to do with the event has withdrawn her posts now. Shame on you all. Throwing women under the bus.

Hold the line.

Shamefully, they are also liking some abusive anti-women comments on their posts. It's one thing to capitulate to the men on this but it's another to actively support their dreadful abusive aggression on it. They should be thoroughly ashamed and embarrassed about backing down.

I thought that but kept scrolling - there are a lot of disappointed commenters further down. There are also a lot of responses to comments which are sex realist but you have to open up the comments which are often trans ideo

And plenty men on there delightedly scolding any women who disagree.

Gross.