Sole Sisters - 9: Breaking barriers for women runners

Happy International Women’s Day! This episode of Sole Sisters is an ode to women runners! Alice has a lot of time to think as she bunkers down for Cyclone Alfred. She unearths the memories of two pioneer marathoners - Bobbi Gibb and Kathrine Switzer who were the first women to run the 42.2k distance in the late 60s, despite many people trying to stand in their way.

Elise has done some modern-day research and found that women’s marathon participation between Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast marathons comprised 27% on average between 2018-2023, with men making up 63% of the field. Participation was much more even in the half marathon. The pair then offer some general reflections on women’s participation in marathons and the barriers that still exist that prevent or hinder women from running today. These include not having enough time to train, concerns for safety, childbirth and caring responsibilities. They also have a good chat on the role of confidence and ego in the marathon. You can read the piece Elise wrote on this “Mind the Marathon Gap” in The Blue Line last year.

Alice and Elise also debrief the International Women’s Day – Running Connection event organised by Love the Run last week. They rehash some of the conversation in the panel discussion about safety while running with ultra trail star Lucy Bartholomew and podiatrist/runner/coach/mum Sophie Fitt.

Jess Stenson is the star of the results segment for her gutsy 2:22:56 run at Tokyo Marathon, while Izzi Batt-Doyle and Leanne Pompeani wait to line up at another Japanese race this weekend, Nagoya Marathon.

Finally, here’s a no-context link to a Roy and HG video commentating men’s gymnastics from the Sydney Olympics.

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer