Women in Adventure

From cycling across Africa to 100-mile ultramarathons through rugged Scotland, every Rat Race event is different. What remains constant is this: women belong in adventure, actively encouraged, fully supported throughout the experience, and celebrated for their achievements.

AT RACE RACE, WE DESIGN PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY CHALLENGING EVENTS THAT ARE TOUGH YET ACHIEVABLE. WE CARE ABOUT COMPLETION, CONFIDENCE AND COMMUNITY.

While women now make up over half of runners globally, they remain underrepresented in longer-distance and ultra events. This gap isn’t about ability, it’s about barriers. Confidence, safety, caring responsibilities, lack of representation and outdated event design all play a role.

The good news? Event organisers can change this.

And when they do, everyone benefits. Inclusive events consistently see higher repeat entries, stronger communities and better participant experiences.

At Rat Race, we don’t leave inclusion to chance and our average female participation rate across our whole portfolio is 40%. We are striving to hit that 50/50 split and below are the 10 key commitments we’ve made to ensure women feel welcome, supported and empowered choosing our events.

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SheRACES Accredited

Rat Race is proud to be SheRACES accredited, demonstrating our commitment to improving the experience of women participating in endurance and adventure events.

Through our accreditation, we are committed to implementing best-practice approaches that support women throughout their event experience - from clear and accessible pre-event information through to facilities, policies and support on the course. We recognise that women can face specific barriers to participation and are committed to continually reviewing and improving our events to ensure they are as inclusive, supportive and accessible as possible.

We want every participant to feel confident taking on a Rat Race challenge, and our SheRACES accreditation is an important part of our ongoing commitment to creating a positive experience for women in adventure sport.

Women are not just little men. We have our own specific needs, and those were being catered for. I really loved that.

Pregnancy Transfer Support

Life happens, and starting or growing a family should never be a barrier to taking part. If you become pregnant and are unable to participate within our standard transfer window, we offer enhanced flexibility to ensure you’re treated fairly. No one should be penalised for pregnancy or parenthood.

Breastfeeding

We recognise that breastfeeding participants may have additional needs and we encourage anyone who is breastfeeding to get in touch with us ahead of the event so we can discuss how best to support them before, during or after. Where possible, this may include providing a chair at pit stops or the finish, and access at Pit Stops to enable carers and babies to meet participants.

Female Crew & Support

Our HQ team is over 60% female, with an all-female customer service team focused on continually improving the experience for you. Our female-strong team is available for women-specific questions in the lead-up to the event. We provide tailored guidance on kit, clothing and equipment, prioritising fit, comfort and practicality over long distances.

Female-Friendly Facilities

Many of our events feature female Race Directors, crew, medics and volunteers who understand the practical realities women face during endurance events, from toilet access to period management. Wherever possible, checkpoints, pit stops and overnight locations offer appropriate privacy and sanitation, including gender-specific toilets and changing areas, allowing women to manage practical needs with dignity and comfort.

Empowering Storytelling

We actively celebrate women across our community, from first-time challengers to front runners, through blogs, video and social media. Representation matters, and we are committed to amplifying women’s achievements and voices.

Inclusive Marketing & Imagery

Our marketing reflects real participants. We showcase women of different ages, body types, abilities and experience levels, from front-of-pack to those focused on completion, so women feel represented.

Supportive Cut-Offs & Pacing Expectations

Rat Race events are designed around achievement, not exclusivity. We prioritise completion over speed, with supportive cut-off times and pacing structures that welcome run-walkers, first-timers and those balancing training with busy lives. In our inaugural Rat Race 100 mile ultramarathon, we achieved the highest completion rate for this distance in the UK, with 65% of the field finishing at the foot of Edinburgh Castle in 2025.

Event Information & Planning

We provide transparent, detailed information, including course profiles, elevation, pacing guidance and logistics. Removing uncertainty helps participants prepare effectively and reduces a common barrier to entry.

Actively Growing Female Participation

We actively encourage female participation across our events, designing experiences that feel welcoming and achievable. The result is meaningful representation, including a 43% female field at Rat Race 100 in 2026, one of the highest in the UK ultra scene. We are committed to listening, learning and evolving, and we actively welcome feedback from our female participants to help shape better events for the future.

Safety & On-Course Support

Women’s safety is a priority before, during and after our events. Measures include a (new for 2026) night-time buddy system on our 100-mile events. All our routes are fully swept and supported by foot and vehicle safety teams, mixed-gender crews and medics at checkpoints, and direct access on the phone to the Race Director and medical team is always available during the live event. Clear behaviour standards ensure a respectful, supportive environment for all.

Female focused advice for extreme environments

Our Head of Expeditions Abbi has more than 2 decades of managing expeditions in extreme environments. She has helped put together a handy document with advice on female hygiene and managing your period in remote locations.

Female Hygiene & Period Advice Guide

Woman walking on grass and mountains in background

Exceptional RD and crew who really wanted you to do your best. They went over and above to look after, support and encourage us. Nothing was too much trouble, and they were a huge part of what made it happen.