Recent victories by women in high-profile ultra-endurance events have prompted a closer look at whether female physiology and psychology offer an advantage in these demanding challenges. While scientific research specifically on women and ultra-endurance is still developing, experts and athletes point to a combination of factors, including hormonal adaptability, mental fortitude, and community support, as potential contributors to resilience.
"The science in this area is behind," noted Tim Jones, who was involved in Eliud Kipchoge's sub-two-hour marathon attempt. He highlighted that unlike shorter distances, which have been extensively studied, there is less detailed scientific evidence regarding ultra-endurance events and female performance. Dr. Richard Burden, co-lead of female athlete health and performance at the UK Sports Institute, shares this view, stating that more information is needed to draw definitive conclusions. "At the moment we are speculating… there are definitely some physiological adaptations that you see more in women than men that are favourable for ultra-type events. But those need to be better established and more studies would need to be done."
Beyond physiology, ultra-endurance events are characterized by multi-day efforts, sleep deprivation, and extreme conditions, demanding significant mental strength. Sophie Woods, a runner who completed a record-breaking run of the Via Alpina, believes women possess a particular advantage in this mental aspect. "It's not necessarily about being the fastest person at the start," she explained. "It is about preparation, it is about mental strength and being able to continue to persevere when things go wrong."
Woods recounted challenges she faced during her run, including wildfires that altered her route and swarms of horseflies, requiring her to maintain focus and keep moving despite discomfort. "I think women are really good at adapting and continuing and just knowing that once we start something, you've just got to keep moving until you get to the finish," she said.
Yngvild Kaspersen, who has won the Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc CCC race twice, also emphasizes the importance of the "mental game" in her training and performance. As a GP balancing a professional running career, Kaspersen also points to the strong camaraderie within the female ultra-running community. "We're competitors but we're also motivating each other, inspiring each other, pushing each other to do better in the races," she noted. "If you see the podiums for the women this year [at UTMB], how close we are and how we're running together out there - that's very special."
Sports dietitian Renee McGregor suggests that resilience may be rooted in the female body's experience with hormonal fluctuations starting from puberty. "We never ever give ourselves credit for that, it's just an accepted part of being female. But actually, it is an endurance in itself and I think that's probably where a big part of our resilience comes from," McGregor stated.
McGregor, herself an ultra-runner, also referenced research indicating that female runners often employ more disciplined and consistent pacing strategies than men. She described this as leveraging the female "brain bank," suggesting that women approach these races with extensive planning and contingency strategies. McGregor drew parallels to experiences such as pregnancy, managing sleep deprivation after childbirth, or undergoing fertility treatments, all of which involve navigating significant discomfort and finding solutions. "And I think it's that knowledge of 'I can get through this, I can find a solution'," she added.