So the Shalane Flanagan Effect is, in effect, that white American women saw that winning big marathons isn't just for East Africans?
23
Many women who took up running in the 80's and loved it have since had knee replacement surgery. You should interview them.
13
Check back with these people in their 60s. Regular long distance running (especially off track) isn't good for knees, hips & ankles. Shoe tech mitigates this but you are still pounding these joints for hours, several times a week. There are many less impactful aerobic exercises--biking, swimming, elliptical trainer, etc.
15
@PA This isn’t about aerobic exercise. It’s about competition.
10
It would be interesting to see a survey of natality among marathoners. Are these women doing something that is compatible with motherhood?
8
running makes people look old and haggard. barre and yoga much better.
3
Why Are American Women Running Faster Than Ever?
Transwomen? :-)
7
@Merlin Come on, Merlin. I get that it was a joke, but choose to be better than that. Applaud these and all women for their accomplishments, regardless of their gender identity. Don't insinuate that excellence is correlated to maleness. And especially don't collapse the beautiful complexity of the human experience to a single label. If you really and truly can't help but describe all of the female spectrum with one word, I have a more appropriate one for you.
"Exceptional"
29
@Merlin Hopefully, the emoji you included signals you intend this as a joke. But I don't find it very funny, as the participation of Trans women in women's sports is a complex and difficult issue.
If any Trans women are running at the OTQ, it's a tiny number and they're not among the group expected to make the US Olympic team.
7
@Merlin NOT. We are faster because we are strong, dedicated, and don't quit!!
6
The bar graph of U.S. women's marathon times of 2:45 or faster seems to begin in 1979, the year Joan Benoit won the Boston Marathon and reaches its first peak in 1984, the year she won the first women's Olympic marathon in Los Angeles. Coincidence?
4
It seems Virginia Woolf was correct when she wrote "A Room With a View."
Best of luck to all running in Atlanta today!
3
The correlation between income level and being a good long distance runner is startling.
Yes, it makes sense, you can hire things done for you (housecleaning, child care, lawn care and so on) but I wouldn't have expected to see such a clear cut graphic.
16
How can you possibly write this article about women marathon runners without even mentioning Merry Lepper and Arlene Pieper? Their historic efforts to ignite women's marathon running has been ignored for too long.
1
Good for these women, but there is no trend in the qualifiers data until 2018, when the numbers suddenly double before jumping once more in 2019. Coincidentally, the Vaporfly was launched in July 2017.
3
Good luck to them all on Sunday!
1
This is awesome. I love to see grinder athletes, "doing it their way." True amateurs, not associated with a Club, or University system, etc. Self supported, self-trained. Working hard, fitting in the training where they can and winning.
A few posters have commented that these qualifying events should limit the entrants to the elites. Phooey! Clearly they are unawares of how many male athletes were walk-ons to professional team's open try-outs. Dismissed by scouts and coaches as not good enough - till they are! They grind it out, training alone, working regular jobs, squeezing in training where they can. Then they win a spot on a team, and go on to be real producers. While many scouted, drafted athletes flounder and never play as well as their hype.
One disturbing aspect I noticed in this piece...the dominance of white women. Professional, white women. Racial, economic, even geographic disparity once again clearly exampled. Its hard, if not impossible, for the poor and living in dangerous neighborhoods, esp.females, to simply "go out for a run." Young girls of color in rough urban, and even rural locations don't often see older girls and women of color out running their streets, like white girls do. That's too bad.
Something running clubs and University track teams should be working on.
Run girls, run! (or shot-put, discus, long-jump, pole vault, javelin throw...!)
28
I have some thoughts about the lack of diversity in MARATHON running. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say it, but women of color are fast as f— as proved by who wins the short distances races at the most competitive levels, starting in high school. But outside of collegiate and Olympic levels, you don’t see community and city based SPRINTING events. What if there was a Boston or NYC 4 x 400 competition every year just for fun and for those amatuer racers - those young women who were kicking butt on the track in their younger years? There are no events to encourage people whose physical or cultural bent was toward shorter races to get out and keep running ad they get older. Just expecting them to switch to a different social group of long distance running where it is required that you have a safe place to train (trails, safe neighborhoods, or affordable indoor places) is a stretch.
27
Go! Go! Go!
Very inspiring article. Whatever the reasons for this success and the organic formation of this community, I hope the trend continues. There is nothing but good will come from this.
To add my own anecdote, I had never run more than suffered mile by my mid-30's and I needed something to distract from the depression of crippling breakup pain and a Great Recession career derailment. I was overwhelmed. My family's well-document gravitation pull of clinical depression was pulling me into those dark suffocating clouds.
Fast-forward through the year's of 10-minute miles and walk-runs to the pure joy of sub-4-hour marathons and sub-8-minute-mile 1/2-marathons in my mid 40's. No, I'm not going to qualify for the Olympics or even place in the geezer groups. But the joy of crushing my own expectations and managing depression is almost as good as standing on the Olympic medal stand.
43
Wow!!! When I was young, women were not even allowed to run in marathons. We've come a long way. Thankfully!
Best wishes to all the women now running.
(My goal is to run three 5Ks this summer, at age 71, with a time, at least for one of them, somewhere in the 38-39 minute range. That would be a "marathon" for me...!)
32
@Lynn Taylor I’m 71 and knocking out 5ks in that time range. I have two more triathlons scheduled this spring and am hoping to bring in some lower times. Never doubt!
21
Exactly what was the point to "encourage participation"? The Olympic trials and the games themselves are a rare moment in the sun for our top women marathoners; why it is desired to clutter the affair up with a bunch of athletes who have no reasonable chance of finishing at world championship times is beyond me. This is not a game for children after which everyone gets participation medals; only the best marathoners should be allowed to compete.
3
@David Godinez
Silly. I guess you've never heard about all the many male walk-ons in professional sports? Guys not ranked, not seen by scouts, or often dismissed by them and their coaches (in school) as not good enough. Till they are. They show up at an open try-out, and secure a spot on the team, and often go on to be major players. Real grinders, who contribute to their teams championship pursuits. Look 'em up!
So to its possible with these Olympic try-outs. Grinders, runners not associated with a club, a University, self-trained and supported, etc - who are are good as the semi-pro's. They just dont have the sponsors - yet. They can compete, and should be allowed.
Plus, these races have protocols to allow the better, more known and better and most likely to qualify athletes to run unencumbered by a swirling mass of amateurs, "in their way."
Besides, whats a better Olympic success story then a winner, or top tier finisher, or even last place finisher, then some avg Joe or Jane who did it their way?
Come on, if you had the guts and potential and belief in yourself as a winner, and could go and try out, wouldn't you? I know I would.
Ya never know. On any given Sunday, its anyone's game to win.
14
Why are American women running faster than ever? Because they work their tails off, are ingenious at finding ways to fit training in with the rest of their lives, and motivate and support one another.
But here's the thing: women do this every day in a million different pursuits. I wish there were an elite category that would characterize the woman who manages to work two jobs, get to the school play, and put the recycling bin out. Or the one who stays late at the office to get the presentation ready, volunteers at the soup kitchen, and shovels her elderly neighbor's walk. They are champions without ever putting on their running shoes.
73
I was immediately struck by the fact that the pictures were a sea of white women and how many of those women had high-paying jobs. I'm glad the article addresses this, and also addresses the clear income inequality that is at work here too. The takeaway is that if you are rich enough -something that explains the dominance of white women - you are going to have the time and resources to make this a hobby. It's quite remarkable, given the dominance of Africans at the international level when it comes to long distance running I guess it's just another way that racial inequality plays out in the US.
46
Amazing! With so much dreary news these days, this is making me want to get back up and go on a looong run. Go female runners!
18
The standards haven't been relaxed in the way this article describes. USATF has always had A and B standard for the marathon trials. In 2016, the B standard was 2:43 and the A standard was 2:37. Then, USATF changed the 2016 standards to 2:45 (B) and 2:39 (A). In 2012, the standards were 2:46 (A) and 2:39 (B).
3
Wow, I was hoping for some information about how more women were running faster times, like if it is correlated with increased training mileage or increased intensity or varying length intervals or a combination of these methods.
But, alas, no dice on the promised training dope. So much for finding how they do it. I guess were all just going to have to settle for 'run lots'.
P.S. Tufte doesn't like your chart showing marathon times decreasing as the y axis goes positive, the chart should show the marathon times decreasing as the y axis decreases.
And, seeing as I'm just going to have to settle for 'run lots' as a training tool, it's the least I can do to get you to fix your upside down chart.
6
@angry veteran The 2 variables are the amount of speed training in the weekly mileage (there are hundreds of resources out there on this topic), and the should-be-illegal Nike vaporfly shoes.
Awestruck! Bravo ladies!
4
The graph clearly shows the improvement for pretty fast women, but no trend for the very fast.
2
Kudos to these women. One question,after scrolling the pics, why is there just one woman of color? And I do not mean to disparage anyone. Just curious. Thanks.
11
And I'm assuming that American men are running faster than ever. too? Or is it just women? Just curious.
3
@PJ the men’s standards are 2:19 and 2:11....the amount of men who can run that type of time is pretty low. I would be shocked if you could qualify by “running after work on a treadmill at the local y”
2
Running for fun is a privilege afforded by availability of time, in turn afforded by a relatively stable income, and personal/ professional life...this likely accounts for the noted racial disparity among runners. This passage from the article: "the lack of African-American participation in distance running is a result of few role models as well as “ingrained stereotypes (of both black and white runners), institutional complacency and cultural resistance.”...this seems rather snap-judgemental in an otherwise wonderful article..
8
@Bob Dylan
Dear Mr. Dylan:
Most African-Americans (other than recent immigrants from East Africa and their children) appear to be more genetically specialized for running short rather than long distances fast. The longest distance I can recall an African-American runner excelling at was the 1500 meters by Steve Holman in the 1990s.
5
Nice to read something positive. I just wish women were into running when I was a lad.
3
Running speed is affected by many factors,one of the factors is the length of the legs.
Generationally women (as well as men) have become taller (possibly this is related to changes in nutritional habit); and a good proportion of this increase in height goes to increase in the length of the legs. This is documented in research; but anybody can observe how the legs of younger women tend to be longer than the legs of older women. (and while the sitting height (the trunk) does shrink with age, the legs do not grow shorter.)
4
@Sagredo Can you post some of the research? I've never heard of this and I'm intrigued but I couldn't find anything in a quick Google search. Thanks.
4
@KWC :
ee: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-are-we-getting-taller/
though it doesn't discuss leg length per se.
One of my closest friends starting running on back roads because it was the only way she could escape from an abusive husband for an hour or so now and then.
One of my female family members starting running after she got breast cancer and wanted to get in better shape while raising money for children's cancer.
I like the sense of a "bigger picture"...women have been running marathon lives for so long that this is just a natural outgrowth, plus a sense that women are forcing for themselves a less subservient place in the world - at a time when the world desperately needs the energy of everyone.
As my Grand pop used to say "Men may work from sun to sun, but women's work is never done."
And that old maxim is still true.
24
I follow women's record marathon times via Wikipedia and for years I was struck by what I called the Paula Radcliffe barrier, that for about 16 years she had the record at 2:15:25 with 2:18 seemingly a barrier for all other women. Now Brigid Kosgei has run over a minute faster at 2:14:04 -- but I think that is her only race under 2:18, that seeming barrier for the most elite runners.
2
How is the qualifying time (2:45) determined - a percent of the current record time, some percentile of recent finishers, other?
2
There are indications that women may be physically better qualified for endurance than men. For example Courtney Dauwalter an American ultramarathoner finished the 2018 edition of the Moab 240 race in 2 days, 9 hours, and 59 minutes, faster than any of the men in the pack.
The difference between the fastest male/female marathon time is decreasing. I would not be surprised if one day women systematically beat men in long distance runnning.
11
@Jzu possible but I think doubtful. They will be able to match but not beat.
2
@Jzu what a great thing that we have separate but equal sporting events. It’s a shame women aren’t given the chance to compete with men.
4
@Jzu “systematically” might be a bit of a stretch unless you’re saying the fastest women will beat men who are not the fastest. If so, that’s always been the case.
There’s a difference between saying more women in general, or on average, may be “physically better qualified” than men on average, or in general, versus saying the top elite finishes or (gender neutral) world records will be systematically dominated by women. The current women’s world record of 2:14:04 (2019) was surpassed in 1964 on the men’s side (2:12.11).
Your point does beg an interesting question though - if women truly have (or will have) an advantage over men in a sport then why do we separate or distinguish the finishes by gender at all?
3
I am one of the women toeing the line tomorrow. Why am I faster? My teammates in college and at Strawberry Canyon Track Club who always told me that I could run faster, and who spent hours doing workouts with me, and all of my teammates who dragged me across almost innumerable finish lines.
I'm also faster because of Title IX, which made it so that I had equal funding for college sports. And, honestly, being on co-ed college and running club teams made me faster, as my male teammates also pulled me across many lines.
83
@Julia Sizek I too benefited from Title IX, competing collegiately (and in Europe) as D1 women’s programs were joining the NCAA. My niece has committed to Northwestern LAX. I will be on the course tomorrow, proudly rooting for you and your competitors.
24
@Julia Sizek Good luck!!!
3
@Julia Sizek good luck tomorrow
3
Wonderful. What a joy. Loved this article.
21
Some younger women may not be aware that Title IX in 1972 mandating gender equality in federally funded sports programs initiated the flourishing of women’s track and field. Soccer became popular in America in the ‘70s and ‘80s, the one sport where girls started out with funding equal to boys—hence Team USA women are more successful than the men. Title IX is an extension of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, its Constitutional basis in the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The Roberts Supreme Court eliminated Equal Protection in its decisions rolling back Voter Rights and allowing racial gerrymandering. The backlash to gender equality is growing in conservative Christian areas, especially in white supremacist, Christian nationalist, and male rights groups like Proud Boys and Promise Keepers. LGBTQ rights are a target. Let’s not be caught by surprise as we were with Trump, and prepare to defend and extend gender equality.
53
@Bruce Shigeura
The US women’s soccer team are not more successful than the men’s team because they get equal funding. It’s because soccer is not one of the big three men’s sports in this country. It’s behind hockey too. It’s cultural. The top athletes don’t play it. Think how good a soccer player Barry Sanders could have been. More funding would not win the men a World Cup.
10
@Bruce Shigeura
Title IX mandated gender equality in opportunity, in everything, at institutions that accepted federal funds, for anything.
It wasn’t about sports at all when Nixon signed the Educational Amendments into law.
It was just famously applied to sports, and is the reason so many universities created separate sports programs just for women (softball, volleyball, field hockey, etc.) rather than women’s baseball, football, etc.
5
@nickdastardly Agreed, dude, men have many options like football. But equal funding for women has made U.S. soccer, gymnastics, volleyball, track and field, and other popular women’s sports attention-grabbing at the high school level, winning corporate sponsorships for the elite Olympic level. When the Soviet Union promoted women’s sports, plus steroids, they won. American guys do great in sponsored individual sports like swimming and skiing, and of course big money team sports like basketball, but not low-profile volleyball and soccer, that are very popular internationally. Money talks and Simone Biles rules.
17
Yes, it's the shoes.
I was gratified to see shoes mentioned in this article on women running. My two daughters, now 40 and 45, still run in marathons and triathlons. When they were children, I made a point of never buying shoes they couldn't run in. And I made sure they understood that running is for girls and girls are for running. By the time they were in high school they had worn out more cleats than they owned of pairs of high heels.
I was so adamant about the shoes because I had quit running when I was 12. American society in the 1950s and 1960s discouraged girls and women from competing in anything or engaging in any sports (before Title IX). We were supposed to walk in the mincing steps required by 3-4" heels.
Well, I haven't worn high heels for a couple decades. And a couple years ago, as I was walking around the track at the Y, warming up for my personal training session, I started jogging. :-) A septuagenarian jogger. And then sprinting on the straight-aways.
Girls are for running, and running is for girls. (And yes, I run and throw like a girl. Cuz I am.)
129
I am not shocked that there is such a high correlation between competitive running participation and income. And income of course, correlates to race in the US. I used to be a pretty competitive marathoner in my 20's - it takes a ton of time at weird hours (before work after work) which means you better make good $ to afford the childcare needed during those times. It also isn't like recreational pick-up tennis - to improve in marathoning it has to be daily endeavor - which means you need childcare help every single day. And, paying for the travel related to running - it's expensive, especially if you bring a cheering squad. I would say it's somewhat akin to kids' travel soccer -- seemingly inexpensive but the cost adds up quickly.
40
@ABC
This is 100% accurate. I am married to a “sub elite” runner who chooses to run 20-30 miles/week because she works a full time job and would prefer to care for her children along with me. I have been surrounded by this culture for years and while it is physically healthy, it is not fiscally healthy and requires tremendous family sacrifices, it also breeds a certain degree of egomania as everyone else’s lives must revolve around the running schedule
5
I just turned 70 this year, & no, this is not a comment about me trying to qualify for the Olympic trials! I have run 2 marathons, both in the 1970's, one in horrendous heat in Palm Springs, & another that went up & down 2 "small" mountain passes in So Cal, also in high heat conditions!
The very first race I ever ran was a 10K...there were 3 trophies for the men & 3 for the women. Funny thing, only 2 women total in the race! I came in second &my competitor & I laughed ourselves silly, but we surely felt like pioneers!
Now, I am participating in local 5Ks & loving it! I cannot believe how things have changed since I began running & competing after having my 2 babies in 1976-77. Running became a substitute for the tennis I had been playing for years--every day pretty much...never reached an advanced level, but just loved the sport. However, finding a way to play with 2 kids 16 months apart was too complicated. With all my family in Illinois, I had no guaranteed baby sitters for tennis, so I loved knowing that I could go out for long and short runs whenever my husband was home, as well as 4 or 5 o'clock in the mornings when all were sleeping! It became my passion & I became incredibly fit! But the sport of women's running was still in its infancy even then. Alberto Salazar was my hero. Now, I love seeing so many women & girls of all ages competing fiercely. I also love getting medals for just "paying" to participate, since I am more than content to "just participate".
39
Thank you so much for writing this.
I am in my mid-60s (pre-Title IX by a long shot) and did not take up running serious distance until my 40s.
I ran many marathons before I was sidelined by an accident and a spate of related injuries. Although I never broke 4:30, I still felt like a champion,and had earned the title "marathoner" .
Go ladies go!
Fly like the wind!
I am on the sidelines rooting for every one of you.
58
My respect and admiration to all these women. As a marathoner I can understand all the effort and sacrifices they do.
I wish good luck to all and hope the 2020 Olympics will not be cancelled. It was a huge disappointment what happened with the Tokyo Marathon this year
22
I have yet to read this article but the first thing that came to mind when seeing the headline was, "because we are angry" -- with all that's going on with the climate, in politics, with the MeToo movement, with the Weinsteins of the world getting off (literally and in court), with the very much still-present misogyny and racism and glass ceilings for us to break through, and on and on. There is still a lot for us to fight and rail against. Taking charge of our own health and strength is one way to combat all that's swirling around us, and also to prepare us for the fighting yet to be done. And, on a less combative note, because we want to be fit and healthy and strong for ourselves and for our families / loved ones / friends. And for some of us, because we enjoy fitness and its myriad mental and physical benefits.
26
Thanks to women's sports, I believe we have the healthiest women the world has ever produced. Women runners are a joy to watch with their colorful clothes and bouncing ponytails. These women are the leaders of the running movement, which is good for everybody, particularly women.
19
@FindOut
While I agree with your sentiments, "bouncing ponytails" suggest "white" women. Are women of color not running?
5
@FindOut Are women with short hair and non-colorful clothes a joy to watch, too?
2
@GEO2SFO I never thought about that (I am not white but I also did not grow up in the US). It is ironical that black women in the US actually lead the world in sprints. US women hold the world record in the 4 x 100 and 4 x400 relays and have been unbeatable for the last two decades.
I have no idea why these women are not role models to other black women.
2
This is the only sport where 30 something and up women continually dominate.
Compare this to the 14- 16 year old gymnast or figure skater (or football player, or basketball) who only has a small window to compete at an elite level- these women, who are sometimes entering the sport in their fourth decade, are changing our understanding and image of an "elite athlete".
It's incredibly inspiring.
FWIW, I'm faster now than I was in my 20's- and I think it's because our capacity for endurance increases over time.
103
@A Worker Up to a point. I've been running 44+ years, and my fastest times were in my 20's- but at least I'm still running (and occasionally racing) in my late 50's. There are reasons master and senior divisions exist!
22
@A Worker You have overlooked the Olympic equestrian sports
5
@A Worker It's not just running.
Marathon/open water swimming is not only one of the few sports where "30 something and up women" continually dominate, it's also one of the few sports where women don't need to be lean/skinny to compete at a high level, but quite the opposite.
See the Marathon Swimmers Federation's home page and you'll see the difference in body types between marathon swimmers and marathon runners: https://marathonswimmers.org/
The more fat one has surrounding one's body, the more likely one is able to survive in water that is 40 degrees colder than one's body temperature. And marathon swims can go from 8 hours to 24-plus hours depending on the length of the distance.
8
I just admire these women so much! Here in Philly when I walk along the Boathouse Row area I look upon them with such admiration! I am envious of their energy and grace!
21
I volunteer coaching large groups of runners for my running club. My favorite people to coach are the beginners and those returning to running after time out. The core of my job, I think, is to help these runners begin to self-identify as "Runners". They lose their old identities, such as: "I Can't Run", "Unfit", "Too Busy to Run", etc. Running in friendly groups with supportive coaches makes it possible for these runners to reimagine themselves as successful happy runners.
Even the best runners had to start somewhere.
58
Good luck to all these women! It's a wonderful thing to see women growing and empowering each other. Does anyone have any tips on how to start running from scratch? How to find these communities?
7
@Nicole Google! Google "run club" + your city and see what comes up. Most run clubs have Facebook and/or Instagram accounts as well so search on social media. Stop by your local running shoe store--some stores host their own social runs and those that don't know of run clubs to recommend. Other athletic apparel stores will also have connections to running groups (Lululemon is often plugged into that scene). Follow elite runners on social media and you'll find more accounts to follow for training tips, fueling info, shoe reviews etc. Whatever your reason to start running, there's a training plan for that--another quick Google search away (i.e. couch to 5k, faster 10k, marathon plans)--and you can use Strava to track and get more involved in the running community at large.
17
@Emma Thank you! :)
@Nicole uh, go outside and run?
Thank you for including the income and demographic data! Good to see those real world realities reflected in this article.
Isn’t racial make up of global elite runners is quite different, and also the income spread due to support of national training teams? Unless I missed it in the piece, would be interesting to know.
23
Good luck to all the runners! Increasing the participation is a great goal and it's terrific to see how the results are improving.
As someone who has recently returned to running after a long hiatus due to a nagging and persistent injury, I still prefer solo runs in the trails rather than groups (occasionally I run with one or both of my sons). Social media was not really present when I stopped running and now I use it mostly to keep myself honest - if you tell someone your goal or your progress, then you can get a friendly feedback loop. I tend to prefer to compete against myself rather than others.
11
Not completely white but far too much so for 2020.
14
@L. Wright First thing I noticed. I wonder why it is such an un-diverse group?
The article rightly highlights the unique challenges faced by women athletes. Soon, the records will fall at record paces, as these women are forced to compete with the Rachel McKinnons of the world.
2
It's nice to see that rich white women have yet another avenue in which to compete with each other. Overcoming diversity is such a challenge.
31
@me
Sounds like childhood might have been a little rough. Try distance running. Worked for me.
8
@me Why hate on these women? The article clearly states: "As Runner's World described it in 2011, the lack of African-American participation in distance running is a result of few role models as well as “ingrained stereotypes (of both black and white runners), institutional complacency and cultural resistance.” If you truly want to encourage women of color to run, I suggest you volunteer at your local Girls on the Run.
17
@me . I'm glad you have brought this up. The lack of diversity is truly stunning. Each time I sign up for a race I realize that I may be one of a handful of women of colour zipping through!
9
The article title led me to believe that I would be getting good insights on how women runners are getting faster. Other than the Nike shoes, I didn't see any other insights on this front. Did I miss something?
22
@Christine That's what's fascinating. I think it comes down to inspiration and believing in themselves. It seems overly simplistic, but when Shalane Flanagan won the NYC Marathon in 2017, it was like a mental wall was torn down. Des Linden winning Boston in 2018 was further proof that the wall was gone. Through supporting each other online and in run clubs, women pushed for higher and higher goals. Forget the Nike VaporFly and AlphaFly shoes. This isn't about technology, it's about spirit and grit.
34
@Christine yeah, it seemed like the usual "manage your time well!" advice women always get. And join Strava? What about nutrition, managing menstrual exhaustion, preventing injury?
5
@Sam Mallery You could test that hypothesis pretty easily by showing data for men. Is this just a female thing, or an overall trend in running.
2
It would have been interesting to contrast the progress of elite women runners in the US with their progress on the world scene, where women of color completely dominate.
19
I'm surprised you didn't ask earlier women marathoners, such as my older sister who won Boston a few times. They continue to follow the sport--even if their knees don't permit them to run--and can give you the knowledgeable perspective you seek.
28
I'm a 38 yr. old male. I'm not an aspiring marathoner by any stretch, but am a regular runner, have always enjoyed it. For the past few months it has started to feel like a chore, my energy has plummeted, the joy seemingly sucked out of running. I am wondering if I should just accept it as an inevitability of aging (at 38??).
Not after reading this article. What an inspiration these women are.
67
@H.K Might as well do it while you still can. I know when I reached my 50s I lost the ability to get very far off the ground with each stride, and could no longer break 11 minutes for the mile. And I ran a 3:08 at the age of 33.
13
@H.K I'm a lot older than you, by 30+ years, and am still out training about 6 days a week and I really enjoy almost all of my workouts (we all have 'off' days now and again). Maybe you need to mix up your training routine, take a look at your diet, get more sleep, buy some different running shoes? Whatever is going on, don't blame it on 'aging.'
25
@H.K Approaching 66 in a few months I only run about twice a week. I can still run 5 miles from the 7:20's to the 7:50's. I do a lot of cross training. HIIT cycling classes and probably the best piece of aerobic equipment I have found; the Jacobs ladder. Diversity in training, rest, sleep, and a good diet should keep one in good stead, assuming no injuries or illnesses, for quite some time.
16
Believe you can.
What an inspiration all those women are. Race your hearts out, I'll be rooting for you each one of you all 26.2-miles! Be awesome!
70
I didn't know about the change in the qualifying time and I have to say, I think its goal to increase participation + the outcome of increased participation really demonstrate the spirit of the Olympics and the positive impact sports can have in our lives.
Yes, the best of the best will always win - but how empowering and exhilarating for all these women to qualify and compete?
I'm not a runner myself. Even so, I'm truly inspired by these women and will hit the gym tonight with a bit more energy and commitment.
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I don't mean to denigrate anyone's accomplishments, at all. But the article is anchored in the increase in the number of women running in the Olympic trials, and follows on a similar earlier article by Lindsay Crouse.
The article attributes this to any number of factors, but it seems like the relaxing of the qualifying time makes the most difference.
80% of those qualifiers got in because of the expanded time.
Add in the :01-02 advantage from Vaporfly of whatever%, and I think we can account for the vast majority of the increased participants at the women's trials.
As proof of this, I'll point out that the women's marathon record has stayed at 2:15 for years, while the men's record has continued to go down; and, that the 2:08 that Alberto Salazar needed to win NY in 82-83, that made him the best marathoner in the world, is now just a 'meh' standard good time for a men's marathon.
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@Chris Haskett - just a note, the women's record is 2:14 and was set October 13, 2019. Also, going back to the mid 60's for both men and women; the Men's record gets broken on average every 2.5 years while the Women's record gets broken on average every 1.5 years. So they are in fact increasing their record faster than men over the past 60 years.
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@Chris Haskett The women's marathon record is 2:14:04, and was broken last year, and before that in 2017.
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@Chris Haskett - Did you see the chart of the 50 fastest women's marathons by year? That's the point, not the number that qualify for the Olympics.
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Go, run, win! As a 57 year old mom, wife, and full time writer, I feel that I run mental and emotional marathons, but I gave up running IRL for yoga and hiking many years ago. How inspirational to see and hear from women who are raising the bar for us all and what we believe we can do! Thanks to all the families, husbands, fathers, sons, daughters, grandmothers, and grandfathers that make it possible for women to dedicate the time they need to excel. We can reach our heights by ourselves, but how satisfying and enriching our example must be to share with those who support and encourage.
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@EMS You go girl and pick up running again. Remember age is only a number.
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I no longer run and was never a marathoner but I have always worked out, hiked, biked, etc. Other women are my best workout buddies, cheerleaders, and trouble shooters. This article inspired me, moved me and made me cherish the amazing women in my life even more.
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Obviously, you CAN be what you can't see. Somebody has to do it first for us to "see" it, right?
It also HAS to have something to do with diet. Athletes now understand it's more than just fuel. I'm on plant based and, even though I just run for exercise, I'm faster.
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Wow!
I'm overwhelmed by the diligence and underwhelmed by the article. There's so much more story here than these few anecdotes and some statistics.
Running is a sport of lonely diligence. How is that actually sustained by online coaching and communities? What proportion of female runners now train alone, in groups, with coaches, or on treadmills, compared to the past?
Seriously: it's a great story we could all learn from. Go get it!
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Even as a women who is not a marathoner, this is incredibly inspiring and emotional to see. I think it's because the lives of most women are marathons, every day is a marathon, the terrain is rough, the conditions are foggy, and the road is endless. It feels so validating to see these women taking it on, supporting each other, and rising above it all.
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"You can't be what you can't see."
Looks like a very white field, from the photos. Where are the women of color? Where are the mentors of color, to get women of color, girls of color, involved in serious running?
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@Carol M
Maybe you should read the article for some answers.
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Thank you to the Times and the authors of this article and Lindsay Crouse for her opinion article on the same topic. I am a 42 year old average recreational runner. It does make me think, why am I not faster? How fast could I get? And I guess that is pretty much the definition of inspiration.
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I'm a former collegiate runner and lucky enough to know a few of the qualifiers on both the men's and women's sides, and it has been extremely gratifying to see the coverage of the women's marathon trials! From Shalane winning the NYC marathon to Des in Boston, the spotlight has swung over to women's running in a major way, and even more importantly the support has followed. My friends and their 700+ co-qualifiers have their hotel rooms and flights paid for, multiple group dinners and even free gear. It's an amazing commitment from USATF and the Atlanta track club, and I hope even more women (and men) qualify in the next cycle! Can't wait to tune in to watch the race tomorrow (it's on NBC from 12-3pm EST), it's going to be the most exciting day of US running until the next trials!! And with the longevity of marathoners, Des Linden being a killer example, I expect to hear many of the names from tomorrow for a long time.
P.S. Go Nicole, Melissa and Grayson!!
P.P.S. If anyone is looking for excellent coverage of women's running, check out FastWomen on twitter, the woman who runs it (hah) does a fantastic job.
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A wonderful article. These athletes have elevated their sport by developing a sense of community. How does anyone give birth and a month later run a marathon?
I don't understand how a running shoe can "save so much energy that they amount to an unfair advantage." It's the runners energy to use efficiently, or not.
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@GimmeShelter Imagine running in a pair of Lineman's boots as opposed to running shoes. One is obviously going to be more appropriate (ie more efficient/faster) than the other. The Vaporfly has a built in layers that absorb shock more efficiently and cause faster rebound off the striking surface, apparently to the degree that some people think they amount to cheating. I don't work for Nike, it's basic applied physics
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@GimmeShelter Also - until the new rules came out only some runners with certain shoe sponsors had access to the best hardware. So much of the unfairness came from unequal access to the new technology.
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@GimmeShelter
I own the Next%. They are a dream to run in. They are light and roll you forward. And the cushioning is phenomenal. I am 55, not a marathoner, but I run 3-4 miles every day. I bought these $250 shoes to protect my ankles and knees. They took some adjusting to (felt like running in sand, hard on my calves), but within a week I was there. I adore them. Now, my previous elite shoes feel like boards.
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As the saying goes, "A strong woman is a powerful woman."
Keep up the good work, runners.
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They are motivating me! I started running at 50 just over 4 years ago and know I am only OK at a 8:15 mile... and rarely run more than a 10K. I believe woman have greater internal determination... and their willingness and desire to reach out and be communal with each other is an advantage men do not embrace in the same spirit... and not just in sports.
Best wishes to all of them; I'll be looking to see how they do and will look for them at the Olympics!
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These ladies are such an inspiration to me, a 44 year-old dad, husband, professional, and clergyman in my church. In addition to these roles, I am a marathoner. I picked up on running about 18 months ago, have run 5 marathons, and cannot let this go. I do it for the adventure: I'm endlessly fascinated by the question of what this aging body of mine can accomplish--hopefully more this year than last! I'll be watching the trials tomorrow with great interest, and fingers crossed that an "unlikely" such as those profiled here will have a break-out race and end up in the top 3.
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@Joel Griffitts
Keep up the good work.
Don't forget strength training which goes hand in hand with running.
You'll be a better runner by spending time in the weight room.
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@Joel Griffitts Best of luck to you. As a a runner of over 45+ years, just a note to be careful - a few people are capable of running multiple marathons or ultras per year, but the majority of top runners limit their races to 2-4 per year to maximize their times and reduce the risk of injury or damage to their bodies. I know at least a dozen ex-runners that overdid their mileage and number of races and are now unable to run at all - one 40-something man I know brags of running 37 marathons in 5 years, but is now limited to biking and gym workouts due to injuries to his knees and hips that he ignored in order to maximize his accomplishments. My college cross-country coach was a masters marathon runner, and is still running in his 80's - he always "strongly suggested" running no more than 2 marathons a year, and I hope to follow in his footsteps for several more decades!
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