SheRACES: Women on the Start Line

Founded by Sophie Power, an ultrarunner, trustee of Women in Sport, and mother of three, SheRACES works to remove the barriers that keep women underrepresented in racing and to ensure that when women do race, their experience is equal, their differences are acknowledged, and their achievements are valued.

What you should know:

• Power drew international attention after being photographed breastfeeding her three-month-old during a 170km mountain race, sparking a wider conversation about pregnancy policies and the unequal treatment of women in racing. Have a look at the image here.

• Through guidelines and advocacy, SheRACES has worked with race directors to make events more inclusive, and with sponsors to commit to only funding races that meet their minimum standards.

• SheRACES advocates for women from all backgrounds, actively engaging with underrepresented groups to create more accessibility and inclusivity at each race.

• Recognizing that not all races have the same needs, SheRACES guidance is divided into three categories: Main Race, Triathlon, and Elite Race. Their research shows that inclusive events see higher repeat and recommendation rates, which proves that supporting female athletes is good for the sport and good for business.

• SheRACES conducts research and publishes reports on women's experiences in racing and the impact of greater inclusivity at events. For example, SheRACES survey results have shown that 84% of pregnant women lost out on race places, and 67% of women would be more encouraged to enter races if better provisions are provided.

Learn more:

• View the campaign Enable Inclusion.

• Visit SheRACES webpage.

• Read SheRACES Main Race Guidelines.