Page 2 | SheRaces open to transgender women

AuntDympna · 2025-02-06T08:57:33+00:00

And postpones two events - Surrey Hills and Shropshire Hills which were scheduled for June and July, due to the policy change. So disappointing for women like me who were looking forward to an all-female event nearby. No, i don't want to travel to the Peak District to take part in a race which specifically will have men who call themselves women. I would rather go to a mixed sex event nearby, where the men will mostly agree that they are indeed men. Why can't we have nice things?

WomaninBoots · 07/02/2025 15:45

I hope they are prepared to no quibble refund anyone who wants to withdraw their entry after this policy change. People who entered a female only race and do not wish to run a mixed sex race.

Pathetic fucking cowards.

Original poster

AuntDympna · 07/02/2025 16:47

Mielikki · 06/02/2025 21:23

They won’t. Trail running prides itself on ‘inclusivity’ and the majority of runners either won’t be bothered either way, or will actively applaud the caving in. It’s the preferred endurance sport of the blue-haired and rainbow-lanyard wearing classes. Fell running thankfully follows UKA rules.

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Ah thanks. I think it's fell running I am interested in anyway.

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Scout2016 · 07/02/2025 16:58

Hereagaintoday · 07/02/2025 11:43

Fell running is brilliant. So proud of the stance of the no-nonsense Fell running associations. Trail runners - feel free to jump ship to Fell racing. They tend to be really affordable too as its a rare sport that is still run by genuine enthusiasts rather than race organiser businesses.

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Don't you have to be able to read an ordinance survey type map and use a compass for fell running? I have been put off by fear of getting lost and putting people out. Which is very female socialisation I know, and not entirely logical because I am OK with maps otherwise.

Mielikki · 07/02/2025 19:32

Scout2016 · 07/02/2025 16:58

Don't you have to be able to read an ordinance survey type map and use a compass for fell running? I have been put off by fear of getting lost and putting people out. Which is very female socialisation I know, and not entirely logical because I am OK with maps otherwise.

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Not really as long as you can keep the field in sight. Although they are theoretically a point-to-point the field of runners will generally all take the same route (straight up, straight down, repeat…). For longer races or night races then yes you should be able to navigate but a standard 5 miler or whatever you won’t get lost. And if it’s your first time at a particular race just let people know and they will keep an eye on you.

Scout2016 · 07/02/2025 20:45

@Mielikki thank you. I might brave it then.

Original poster

AuntDympna · 08/02/2025 08:09

It looks as if it's expected that you recce the route. My DH has just shuddered in horror and told me "people break ankles", and that it's a mad idea for a nesh townie like me to even think about it. Him being a mountainy boy.

OP posts:

Mielikki · 08/02/2025 09:24

AuntDympna · 08/02/2025 08:09

It looks as if it's expected that you recce the route. My DH has just shuddered in horror and told me "people break ankles", and that it's a mad idea for a nesh townie like me to even think about it. Him being a mountainy boy.

I mean, yeah if you go full pelt downhill and stick a foot in a rabbit hole then it’s going to hurt. But descending safely can be learned like any other skill. A lot of road runners, especially those who use those awful ultra-padded clown shoes, basically have no ankle stability. But, barring serious injury or disability, anyone can build bulletproof ankles. It starts with getting rid of the clown shoes.

RexsSoupCan · 10/02/2025 13:17

Scout2016 · 07/02/2025 16:58

Don't you have to be able to read an ordinance survey type map and use a compass for fell running? I have been put off by fear of getting lost and putting people out. Which is very female socialisation I know, and not entirely logical because I am OK with maps otherwise.

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Just make sure you get your eye on someone who has a local fell running club vest on and they will know the way!
You do need to be able to navigate though in case you get lost, in my experience. If you're in the north east I can recommend a great female-led navigation course to give you some confidence, but it's well worth seeking one out near you, as it will open up a whole new world to you

Scout2016 · 10/02/2025 19:54

@RexsSoupCan I'm north west, but thank you!

CaptainWentworth · 10/02/2025 20:36

Mielikki · 07/02/2025 13:15

I agree on all count, but it's not realistic if you live in the South/South East - nearest fell running to me is a 7 hour round trip drive. We just don't have the open terrain needed for fell running here and as you rightly point out, trail running seems to have been hijacked by commercial race promoters rather than clubs who tend to focus on cross country, which while also following UKA rules is much more of a competitive rather than participatory sport.

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Minor point, but just to say that IME (only one season so far, North East Harrier League) cross county absolutely is welcoming and encouraging of participation. Yes, the front of the field is competitive, but it’s a team sport and the scoring system means that the more people who run for a club the better, even if they aren’t all fast. The camaraderie (and cake afterwards!) is lovely.

I guess you do have to be in a running club, but again I’ve found my local club really friendly and full of a wide range of runners and triathletes, from those doing the Spine race and Ironman world championships, to those doing Parkruns or just in it for the craic.

oh and in line with England Athletics rules, we have ‘open’ and ‘women’s’ categories for the club championship…

Mielikki · 11/02/2025 10:45

@CaptainWentworth ah that's nice to hear! Yes, it is supportive, but I think it's the fact that it's circuits, and therefore you can end up getting lapped, which makes it feel quite high pressure.

ThePenguinIsDrunk · 29/04/2025 19:45

I've just been looking to see if they have updated their stance since the SC judgement but can't see anything. Does anyone know any more? I was very tempted by their races until their change (I actually have no issue in mixed sex races but female only would be refreshing, I was more annoyed for other women who had 'better' reasons than I did for wanting single sex) and would look again if they have changed policy back to female only.

Scout2016 · 29/04/2025 21:15

I've been looking too @ThePenguinIsDrunk and hoping they will say something too. I fancied Shropshire.

They have to make it properly single sex don't they? Don't even those organisers that are fully TWAW, or not hold the event? Or will no one hold a single sex event because they are all waiting for the ECHR guidance (soooo sick of hearing that cop out, not so keen to get ahead of the law now, are they.)

ThePenguinIsDrunk · 29/04/2025 21:34

@Scout2016 I think that that is the case - either make it just for (actual) women or it has to be an open event but they can't say they are women only and at the same time include TIMs.
Hopefully they sort themselves out soon.