Women typically make up less than 30% of finishers in ultramarathons. How has women’s participation in ultrarunning changed over the past 50 years?
Women’s participation in ultrarunning – a short history
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Women’s ultrarunning history articles
Eleanor Adams and the first Spartathlon
1983 was the year of the first Spartathlon – 245km from Athens to Sparta. The organisers did not want women to run in the race but the male competitors insisted Eleanor Adams must be allowed to take part.
The Nanango 1000 Mile Track Race – “Something out of the ordinary”
The Nanango 1000 Mile Track Race in Queensland, Australia, was the perfect way for top ultrarunner Eleanor Robinson to mark her 50th birthday.
The 1998 Nanango 1000 Mile Track Race – competitors and results
All the competitors and the results of the 1998 Nanango 1000 Mile Track Race in Australia where world records were set.
IAU 24 Hour Championships Milton Keynes 1990
In 1990 the inaugural IAU 24 Hour Championships were held in a shopping mall in Milton Keynes, an unusual venue for an indoor ultramarathon.
Hell in Paradise – the 1994 Telecom Tasmania Run
“The organisers dubbed this race “Hell in Paradise”. I am sure that when they coined this phrase they never anticipated how right they would be.” The 1994 Telecom Tasmania seven-day stage race lived up to its nickname in more ways than one. Eleven of the 27 starters...
The perfect day – Melbourne 24h track race 1989
It isn't too often that everything goes well and perhaps this is part of the attraction of the 24 hour race - the waiting for the perfect day and the perfect performance. Eleanor Adams The period from 1985 to 1990 saw top performances from Eleanor Adams (now Robinson)...
IAU 100km World Champion Eleanor Adams Robinson
Eleanor Adams was IAU 100km World Champion in two consecutive years, 1990 at Duluth, USA and 1991 at the Del Passatore race in Italy.
British women’s success at IAU 100km World Championships
British women have been very successful at the IAU 100km World Championships, taking seven gold medals, two silvers and seven bronzes. They stand second in the medals table behind Russia who have won 19 medals. GB have won the team competition twice, placed second...