Female runners
How we are working to make our marathon more welcoming for female runners.
Why it’s important to us
We want women to feel excited, enthusiastic and confident to line up to run a marathon. We are working hard to ensure our marathon is as inclusive as possible for all runners, including women. We have always had considerably fewer female entrants than males in the past, and we want to change this! The Abingdon Marathon is now working with sheRaces to find ways to encourage female participation in our event and to help women feel comfortable and empowered to run their best and enjoy their day. The Abingdon Marathon organising committee is 46% female, with women holding the positions of Race Director and Course Director. We are hugely invested in women’s participation and want to see it grow.
Changes we have already made
Perhaps the biggest, and most exciting change for us as a committee, is the increase in the cut-off time limit to 6 hours. This has made our marathon more accessible to more runners (and not just women). We know women are often too hard on themselves and sometimes lack confidence in their running and time limits can be off-putting. We want to you finish and our wonderful marshals all around the course will be encouraging you all the way to make sure that you do! We hope that the 20% increase in time will give more runners - and more women - the confidence to enter.
Bone-conducting headphones
In 2024 we will also be allowing the use of bone-conducting headphones. Music can be a great help, motivation and reassurance to runners and we wanted to allow our entrants the tools they need to have a great race.
Toilets
There are never enough! But we are purchasing more for 2024 and ensuring there are more toilet facilities on the route than in previous years - so we hope any anxiety around finding a safe spot to pee will be removed!
Period and incontinence products
These will be available at the toilets at the start and finish and will be with marshals on route at aid stations. Please ask a marshal at the station and they will be able to help (there will be female marshals at all aid stations if you would prefer to ask another woman).
Lactation space
If you need to feed your baby, or express, before or after the race, we have a private indoor space for this. Please ask at the information desk or ask one of the (female) RDs (wearing pink high-vis) and they will direct you.
Pregnancy policy
If you have purchased an entry into our marathon and are no longer able to run due to pregnancy or adoption, you are entitled to a full refund of your entry fee. Please contact our entries co-ordinator to arrange this. We hope that you will come back and run with us again when your child is old enough!
Pre and post race relaxation
We have a quiet area set aside for anyone who wants some peace, away from the crowds and noise of the stadium area, before the race starts. And after the race, you are welcome to use the hot showers at Tilsley Park to freshen up before starting your post-race celebrations!
Further development
We are continually looking to improve our event and the experience of our runners. If there is anything else we can do to help, please do get in touch with us. We would love to hear from you. Email us on racedirector@abingdonmarathon.org.uk.
