The Official Site of The Gone Runners Running Club and Club Italia

In the Gone Runners Running Club, 38% of our members are women and the fastest growing part of the club. We would like it over 50%!!  So when we came across this wonderful article by Ashley Loretta, we felt we had to share...... 

ABSTRACT: "The time has come for the yearly update of The State of Running, a report put together by Run Repeat.com and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The report has analyzed more than 70,000 running events that took place between 1986–2018; including almost 108 million race results. The latest report — adding events from 2018 — found that for the first time in history, there are more women runners than men.

 THE STATE OF RUNNING .....Globally, women now make up 50.24% of runners — and Iceland (59%), the U.S. (58%) and Canada (57%) make up the top-three countries with the highest number of female participants. The report found the median age of women runners is 36 and the numbers noticeably to decline once women hit 40. Participation for men actually peaks at 40.

So how did we get from less than 20% of runners being women in 1986 to just above 50% now? In the U.S., at least, there have been a few milestones that have paved the way for more and more women to lace up their shoes and run — even as race participation in general has slowly declined ......"

 Ashley is a journalist based in Austin, Texas. She is the assistant editor at LAVA and her work appears in The Atlantic, ELLE, GOOD Sports, espnW, VICE Sports, Health, Men’s Journal, Women’s Running and more. Find her on Twitter at @ashley_lauretta. 

Read the full article here:  https://blog.mapmyrun.com/trend-alert-more-women-are-running-races-than-men/ 

We then thought to ask some of our club women runners what running means to them and to share to encourage others to join us. Spread the word to your friends, we want to hit that target!

In no particular order ............

Sofie Jacobs

"What does running mean to me as a woman? Well, aside from the obvious anatomical and physiological differences, I can’t compare it to what it’s like when you’re running as a man so I will just say that running as a woman absolutely rocks. We make sure we wear a bra that holds everything in nice and tight to stop the uncomfortable jiggling around but not too tight so we can still breathe. 

We manage the fluctuations of our cycle and the symptoms that come with this including increased inflammation, reduced confidence, fatigue, soreness and of course bleeding which can leave us feeling tired and when unexpected, in a practical mess. 

Extra fun when racing or out on a long run. Every 'woman runner' who runs and has given birth (I haven’t but work with expecting and new mums) will agree that pregnancy and postpartum have a significant impact on their body and definitely don’t make running easier, at least not for a while. Every 'woman runner' who has entered peri-or post menopause will recognise that this ‘phase of life’ is a game changer and running  won’t be the same as it was before. Are these reasons to not run? Not at all. 

These are not obstacles but opportunities to learn and adapt whenever is needed. I am lucky enough to have met a fab bunch of running women with solid souls, strong wills and legs, good sense of humour and determination. When we run together we laugh, we chat, we listen, we sometimes complain about why we’re not getting that beach volleyball bum we all want and no-one bats an eyelid when one of us squats to pee when a must is a must. Thank you GR club for bringing us together!"

Melissa van Wyke

"Running allows me to explore and experience nature. There’s so much beauty all around. 

Running makes me feel empowered when I run a distance I didn’t think I could or when I have new PB. 

Running makes me feel resilient. 

Running brings me community - I have met the most amazing people and became friends with a group of women who continue to inspire me. 

Running is when I am most aware that yes, my heart is beating, I’m breathing, I am alive; I am living."

Vicky Land

"For anyone that has been in HK a while, you might understand what to expect from running here (trail or otherwise)… for a relative newbie, it’s a different matter.

Sure, I figured it would be hot & humid at times.. and that meant hard work! I hoped there would be some adventures, and lots of new people to meet, but nothing could have prepared me for the trails I’ve run, the views I’ve seen or sense of community the GR ‘s create –their limitless enthusiasm, the sweaty open arms and high fives (virtual when required) that welcome you and continue thereafter is simply endless and infectious.

Aside from saying a big *thank you* to them all, and in wondering what to write here, I figured:

-  I am not the one to impart technical advice. I don’t know it, but I do know that there will be many GR’s willing to share all manner of knowledge and experience with you. On pretty much anything, just ask! The group is a walking* / talking encyclopedia on all things running! (and more I’m sure, but thankfully those boundaries are not tested).

(*if I was better at puns – this would have said "running" but I couldn’t bring myself to do it :p)

-  I cannot really write about race / challenge prep either (as my last week’s Mount Parker is a testament to my lack of real understanding of the prep required in this climate), but you also don’t need me for this, as there is a wealth of knowledge in the group, and they are more than happy to share.

-  There are also definitely many others that are more qualified than I to share route ideas, deciding which elevations are manageable, understanding what is realistic in what timeframe (I’ve only done one solo run here – that says it all right?!), and guess what, ask in the group and you will get so many tips and pointers, you’ll have routes mapped out for months ahead – any weather given/any terrain you require! The explorations are surreal and seemingly endless, and this lot collectively know them all!

-  And if you want advice on kit, they’ve got this covered too! The group has opinions, and the store has everything! (Well not in stock – as that’s just not possible in HK!) but you want it – they’ve either got it or they can get it for you! Beginner, intermediate or advanced (although I have no idea what kit actually falls into the latter category, I know they cater for it) and you get a lovely little membership discount on purchased. Discount not just on store products but on races too – how cool is that?!

-  So what can I contribute?... I think I go full circle … I’m saying a huge thank you again to the entire GR community from everyone in it – you guys are an incredible bunch that have more impact than you realise on more people than you know.

If any of you GR’s are reading this, then again, thank you for being an incredible part of my first year here – I am sure I am not the only one to feel this way.

Thank you for running with me, for keeping me going when I’m tired, for slowing down with me when I’m really pooped and for pushing my limits when I’m feeling brave!!

Thank you for inspiring me, for coming up with crazy ideas (specific mention for Elliot, Linna and Peter) and making the group challenges so inclusive – whatever your personal target, once accomplished it is celebrated like you’ve won the lottery! That really is a sense of community right there. 

For anyone reading this wondering if they want to run in HK, or run with the GR lot… do it. DO it! Any level, any experience, any ambition, just come along, sign up, get involved. Your only regret will not be doing so sooner.

Finally, to the Chicks Running Trails who I have spent a lot of this last year with. You are genuine life-long friends, I cherish you all dearly and I cannot wait to have many more (trail) adventures with you all in the years ahead (hopefully taking us to many more beaches and cold rose!). x"

Janine Canham

"I took up running after having twins, as a way to get back into shape after a difficult pregnancy, 9 weeks of enforced bedrest and a c-section.

I was always fit (aerobics, hockey, touch rugby, netball, Muay Thai) but I found running boring. However, my personal trainer got me hooked. For me, it started off as a way to regain control over my body.

I started by challenging myself to enter short races and quickly found myself signing up for longer & longer events. I noticed that the longer the race, the fewer the women. At the 250k multi stages I took part in, women made up less than 20% of the field. Yet we were more likely to finish than the men and often did better as each day went by. Women tend to pace themselves better, think about nutrition and recovery and look at the bigger picture. Many of the men seemed to blow up early, fuelled with testosterone and often a false sense of confidence.

I would love to see more women out there in the longer events - and for more race organisers to support women by acknowledging how much harder it can be for some women with children to train and to take time away from their families than it often is for men." 

Camilla Porling

"At the age of 46 I run because I know that the opposite,not to run, makes me unhappy. Unhappy for real.

Running was a part of my life from my early days, and I must admit, pretty unwillingly initially. Enthusiastic parents dragged me along to orienteering events all over Sweden, while I wished we could be a normal family watching TV and eating loads of chips when the weekend arrived. It was not until I was a bit older I got a taste for running. I must admit I never thought twice about gender, and can’t remember ever being treated differently for being a girl. For some of my teenage years I trained only with boys, but it never bothered me.

Running has always been there somehow in my life, but in some periods much less and for some years not at all. When I as in my late twenties I felt a bit lost and gloomy, I took a close look at my life - I realised throughout my adult years, my joy of life and mood closely followed my fitness level and the amount of running I did. The fitter I got, the happier I got, it was as simple as that. The joy I get from a run when I feel strong and fast is unparalleled. I need the running, it is essential for my well-being and I just have to make sure my running frequency is at a “decent” level.

Results are not important to me….anymore. I know my best results are in the past. I am after the feeling, only the feeling, and you need a fair amount of running to achieve just that. Hongkong has taken my running to a new level and is right up my alley. I love (hmm, hate-love) the challenging trails, beautiful nature and not least the team running. I do think the tradition with team races in Hong Kong has fostered a really nice atmosphere among the running community.

While being a woman has not been of an issue for me, as I have got older I have become more aware of unconscious biases we all carry around when it comes to gender. At the same time as it takes determination to get your training done, I also believe it takes a dose of selfishness to prioritise your running. It takes several hours a week after all, not to mention the boring person you possibly become before (have to rest) and after (have to rest) a tough run. I will stick my neck out and say that I think it is easier for men in general to take that time out of family time than it is for a woman. There are expectations on a mum or wife from everyone else around, family and others, but perhaps even more because of women’s own tendency is to prioritise family over themselves. This is definitely the main challenge for me when it comes to running, and I am from one of the most gender equal countries in the world.

Having said this, I am mega fortunate to have had running as a natural part of my life, with no eyebrows lifted for my constantly unladylike dirty feet and black and blue legs from runs in muddy Swedish forests. Fortunate to always have felt empowered by being fit, strong and pretty fast. Four years in India taught me to appreciate this even more, and oh my, the running movement in India and to witness women running their first kilometers, just the best. That is, however, a story for another time.

Looking forward to see you on the trails - Camilla"

Virginie Goethals 

"Girls, hit the trails and the distance !

It was pitch dark and pouring with cold rain, I had about 130 km in my legs with 170 km to go, but I could not have felt happier. Wilson Trail felt like a gentle giant 

to me, and I was just focusing on each individual step that I had to take to complete Hong Kong Four Trails. 

During that race, I kept thinking how trails have a lot to offer to us women. On the trails, the field is equal, hills and mountains do not discriminate, and even give us a secret advantage over men.

Studies show that we have better stamina and muscle endurance in endurance events. So savor these facts, when a man passes you during training or a race, as few men are gifted with a “magic John Ellis pace”, and you will likely “chick” him in the next few kilometers.

Trail running is also a beautiful and easy way to ground yourself. Especially as women, working women, mothers, wives, girlfriends etc we have so many expectations thrown at us. When you are out there, there is not much that you can hide from in the effort, and you have to be yourself. While running you need to accept that there are only limited factors that you can control, and the rest just has to be embraced. Life decisions and resolutions are made on the trails, as they are in my experience the best silent supporters, and they will remind you how your are doing in the next runs. 

Trail running friends, male or female, are the best. I personally love running by myself as it helps me process all the hardship I see working with female refugees in Hong Kong, and occasionally shed some tears that I have been trying to suppress. Recently however I started running every week with my Hong Kong Four Trail sisters, and I love the companionship, kilometers and vulnerability that we share together. There is a strong secret code amongst women on the trails, and often just a stare or a hand movement is needed to explain how we are feeling at that moment. 

Furthermore, Hong Kong offers a very supportive environment to start trail running, which is not easy to find anywhere else. The Gone Runners, with fabulous track coach Charlotte Cutler, will encourage you in the right direction every Tuesday and the multiple runs organized by the indefatigable Peter Hopper can only make you love the nature that Hong Kong has to offer, and at the same time make like minded friends. The Hong Kong running community will get you out of the door, and you will surprise yourself.

As a woman, running will also help you take care of your health and be very alert to the signs of your body. Age does not matter when you start running, what matters is how your train and giving your body time to adapt to the new process. If like me, you are a middle of the pack runner in your forties, strength training will make a big difference and will bring any distance within reach.

Once you hit the trails, you can only look forward and not look back. Literally and figuratively. Add oil chicas and see you out there!

Virginie Goethals, mother of 3 teenagers, wife, trail runner and co-founder of RUN Hong Kong"