You know these women only running event things ...is there a particular reason

Good for them UC, I don't have any problem with mens only or womens only stuff as I will never bother joining a club anyway. I know a few women who are members of the 7oaks ladies jogger and as far as I can see its just a social thing that the mums do during school time.

David Falconer 3 wrote (see)

Tommygun2 wrote (see)

Just as to prolong this interesting debate, how does the forum feel about women only running clubs then.

Im not sure womens only running clubs would work. I imagine it would go a bit like this.

"OK girls, today we are going to do a 20 minute run, a 10 minute walk, followed by another 20 minute run. Then afterwards, we can try some of the new Strawberry Cheesecake at Cafe Cuppa down the road."

"Ooooh that sounds nice. Does that come with extra cream does anyone know?"

"I think it does, but I might stick to the chocolate cheesecake they do as I know thats delicious."

"Oh yes I like chocolate cheesecake too, oh its so hard to choose."

"Should we go down now and have a look which is better?"

"Yes, lets go ........"

...... and basically there goes the training session .......

Seriously..?

DF3, I personally never gave a thought to women's only races or running clubs. But now I can see the attraction - mainly based on keeping away from total misogynists, gender-stereotying, cliche-thinking people like some... 

Eggyh73 wrote (see)

There seems to be two reasons for these events.

One is that some women sadly don't feel comfortable running with guys about. Be that due to vanity, thinking guys will look down on them for running and getting sweaty or being body concious and thinking men will judge them when they aren't in full make-up etc.

.

 

But if the guys are watching it's easier to see them sweating etc?  Whereas if the guys were running they'd be concentrating on that rather than how fat or sweaty the women are?  It's a pathetic argument.  

I'm not convinced by women-only events but as I have said before on this forum, it's quite nice to come in a long way up the field, rather than having 100 men in front of you.  But that's the only advantage as far as I can see. I've taken part in ladies-only events in Windsor, Glasgow and Devon since becoming more serious runner and enjoyed them.  But I enjoy mixed events as well.

I should say that I got into running because of R4L and about 10 years ago pre-child, I also got into running briefly through what was then the Flora Light Challenge in Hyde Park.  But that was in the days before parkrun, and I would have thought that created enough of an unthreatening environment to start running these days. R4L isn't the force it was, so maybe eventually they will open the events to both sexes.

I don't know about other people- but my local parkrun has a bit of an absence of younger women. I'm in the 25-29 category and despite being pretty slow am often told in my result that I'm the 1st or 2nd woman in my age group, and there are only a handful of regulars who are younger than mid-30s/40. There do seem to be more women 40+ but I think that might be because there is a very active local ladies running club that seems to target that group and they've been very supportive of the parkrun. I have a lot of friends who are non-serious runners and most of them seem very apprehensive about going to a parkrun, particularly if they run on their own- maybe women are just less confident about mass running, and so women only running events are seen as less intimidating? 

goji wrote (see)

David Falconer 3 wrote (see)

Tommygun2 wrote (see)

Just as to prolong this interesting debate, how does the forum feel about women only running clubs then.

Im not sure womens only running clubs would work. I imagine it would go a bit like this.

"OK girls, today we are going to do a 20 minute run, a 10 minute walk, followed by another 20 minute run. Then afterwards, we can try some of the new Strawberry Cheesecake at Cafe Cuppa down the road."

"Ooooh that sounds nice. Does that come with extra cream does anyone know?"

"I think it does, but I might stick to the chocolate cheesecake they do as I know thats delicious."

"Oh yes I like chocolate cheesecake too, oh its so hard to choose."

"Should we go down now and have a look which is better?"

"Yes, lets go ........"

...... and basically there goes the training session .......

Seriously..?

DF3, I personally never gave a thought to women's only races or running clubs. But now I can see the attraction - mainly based on keeping away from total misogynists, gender-stereotying, cliche-thinking people like some... 

 

That was a shot at me wasnt it????

But why should anyone have a go at you !!

It's true there aren't that many younger women at my parkrun - I'm in the 40-44 age-group as well.  I was 9th lady today and 95th runner overall, which kind of illustrates the point about men dominating these events!  There were 262 runners altogether, only 90 of whom were ladies/girls. 

Hellywob - the men aren't "dominating" your parkun - they're just mostly faster. (It isn't a race anyway!).

IIRC Parkrun reckons on 49% female runs nationwide. (And 90/262 is quite respectable if you look at other sports in the UK.) I have noticed the 20-30 gap  at my local events, but I reckon there are just as many SW20-34 as SM20-34 !

This seems a pretty common age gap in "non-elite" sport.The veteran categories are always over-represented compared to the population as a whole.

Hmm maybe the younger men are less represented too- just had a look at the stats for my parkrun and thought I'd compare the younger age categories on total number of people who've run in each group and how many of those are 'regulars' (out of 37 events)

• 20-24 38 men, 2 run 10+, 26 women, 1 run 10+
• 25-29 58 men, 2 run 10+, 39 women, 4 run 2+
• 30-34 77 men, 8 run 10+, 47 women, 2 run 10+
• 35-39 72 men, 4 run 10+, 50 women, 1 run 10+

I did notice though, that a quite a few of the women who were in the 10+ group have partners who also run, but then again I imagine a lot of more frequent runners go with someone else. For comparison there were 85 men vs. 52 women at mine today- if the percentage is 49% as Mmmatt thinks, where are the female dominated parkruns?!

It is my understanding (and I could be wrong) but there are certain religions that prohibit women (who are actively practising their faith) from taking part in mixed sex sport/events. I have no issue taking part in mixed events, but I do think single sex events still hold a place in our multi-cutural society.

Thinking about parkruns and the age range representation, could it be that men and women between the ages 25-39 have young families and probably find it difficult to get to a event for 9am regularly on a Saturday morning especially if they have to travel to get there. Certainly is the case in my household.

Just my thoughts xx

Well certain misogynistic interpretations of some religions may prohibit women from taking part in mixed sport - that's unfortunate for women who for whatever reason find themselves brainwashed into believing that kind of nonsense or those who feel trapped in a situation where someone who does believe it has some power or influence over them - but not a reason to start organising sports events, gym sessions, pool sessions etc for them.   

popsider wrote (see)

Well certain misogynistic interpretations of some religions may prohibit women from taking part in mixed sport - that's unfortunate for women who for whatever reason find themselves brainwashed into believing that kind of nonsense or those who feel trapped in a situation where someone who does believe it has some power or influence over them - but not a reason to start organising sports events, gym sessions, pool sessions etc for them.   

Exact-a-mon my learned friend ......... by pandering to the prejudices you only encourage this kind of behaviour from the lower forms of society.

The fact that people in this day and age haven't woken up to the fact God doesnt actually exist shows we still haven't moved on as a civilisation.

David Falconer 3 wrote (see)

So why did Katherine Switzer deliberately enter a mens only marathon in Boston ......... go and create your own then if you want to run a marathon ........ ahh but see thats different, thats for 'equality'.

Again its funny how equality is so different.

If you feel that strongly about it mate, enter the next R4L event as Davina Falconer and trot round wearing a pink tshirt and a wig. I doubt you'd be bulldozed off the course by outraged officials, as happened to KV Switzer when the blokes figured out she was gatecrashing their hallowed event. I mean, really! Women not allowed to run marathons? F**king ludicrous if you ask me.

runs-with-dogs wrote (see)

David Falconer 3 wrote (see)

 I mean, really! Women not allowed to run marathons? F**king ludicrous if you ask me.

Well the Boston marathon ........ not ALL marathons ....... slight difference.

RunShonaRun wrote (see)

I have been following this thread with interest, and have now read the Race for Life rules carefully.

You will be delighted to hear DF3, that RFL will accept entries from transgender women, so you can enter after all.

Just the small matter of a little operation first...

To be fair, there wouldnt be much for the surgeon to do.

couldnt you just cover your dick with a hat?