RunYoung50
Women’s running history
and the stories of older women runners
Recent articles…
Women’s six day races – world record progression
The progression of the women’s six day ultrarunning world record from Marcy Schwam in 1981 to Camille Herron in 2024.
Mary Hanudel – women’s six day races – part 5 – June 1984
American ultrarunner Mary Hanudel was just 24 when she set the six day world record at the Edward Payson Weston Six Day race in June 1984.
Christine Barrett – women’s six day races – part 4 – May 1984
British runner Christine Barrett set the women’s six day world record in May 1984 at a race at Trentham Gardens in Stoke-on-Trent.
Eleanor Adams – women’s six day races – part three – 1983
In 1983 British ultrarunner Eleanor Adams set the women’s six day record for the first time at the Charles Rowell track race in Nottingham.
Run Across Australia – Nikki Love – Part 2
Part 2 of my interview with ultrarunning adventurer Nikki Love about her epic 4000km Perth to Sydney run across Australia
2023 Reflections
Three reflections on 2023 – Katie Holmes reflects on positive moments, grief and loss, and her attitude to running.
Most Read Articles
Six popular articles on my blog recently….
Leslie Watson – Queen of the Roads
Scottish marathon runner Leslie Watson was called “the Queen of the Roads”. By 1981, she had run more marathons than any other woman in the UK.
Five Women Who Changed Running
Five women who changed running forever. They made the public aware of how strong women could be and how much they could achieve as athletes and runners.
An Olympics timeline – women’s running
A timeline showing the running events for women at each Olympic Games from 1896 to 2024. The first women’s track events were held in 1928.
Women’s marathon history – the 1960s
In the 1960s there were no women’s marathons. Women were told distance running would harm their health. But a few women broke the rules.
Female Ultrarunners over 50
Female ultrarunners over 50 are challenging ageist attitudes about the physical competence of older people by taking part in ultramarathons.
The first London Marathon
On 3rd August 1980, 200 women from 27 countries lined up to run in the first London marathon, the Avon International Women’s Marathon.
Runners over 50
Six stories about women runners over 50….
Run Across Australia – Nikki Love – Part 1
Part 1 of my interview with ultrarunning adventurer Nikki Love about her epic 4000km run across Australia.
Anne Dockery – an amazing journey
British masters athlete Anne Dockery tells the story of her amazing journey in running and the four challenges she set herself since turning 70.
Chris Bexton – competing in her sixties
Chris Bexton tells the story of how she began running at 53, improved quickly, and became a competitive age group runner
Chasing the Elite – Masters Running
Christine Oldfield writes about competing against world class masters athlete Angela Copson in the British Masters 10km Championships in 2019.
Pam Storey – the journey to my 200th marathon and beyond
100 Marathon Club member Pam Storey has been running for nearly 40 years and has completed over 200 races of marathon distance or longer.
Joyce Bell – becoming a runner
Joyce Bell writes about becoming a runner in her early sixties and within a few years qualifying to represent England as a masters athlete.