Signing up for a race or five over the season is a fantastic motivator to step up your training. And what more fun way to test your fitness than a spin with the running sisterhood? All-women’s races are incredibly welcoming, inclusive and celebratory. And with an elite field pushing the front runners, they can be pretty darn competitive too.
Never raced? Many women choose all-women’s races as their first — check out my story, “A Race of Their Own,” in this month’s issue of Canadian Running magazine for a flavour of what these races are all about. Hopefully, I will see you at a few.
Canadian Women’s Races
Sports 4 Emilie Mondor 5K Memorial for Women, Ottawa
Billed as the fastest women’s 5k in Canada, the event has prize money for open and masters. Also has a children’s mixed 1k. June 22, 2013 www.runnersweb.com/running/EmilieMondor.html
Toronto Women’s Run Series
A three-event series featuring half marathon, 10K, 8K and 5k races, with about 1500 runners in each. Set away from traffic but on paved paths in Sunnybrook Park in the Don Valley. Fundraising partner is the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO). www.towomensruns.com
Island Girl
An intimate half marathon, half-marathon relay and 5K on Toronto Island, with a festive Caribbean vibe and only 500 runners. Fundraising partner is Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada. Sept 22, 2013. www.islandgirlrunning.com
Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon
This course takes 2,500 runners and walkers past the falls twice and follows the raging Niagara River. Special guest this year is Boston Marathon great Kathrine Switzer. Fundraising partner: Women’s Place. June 2, 2013. www.nfwhm.com
Calgary Women’s Run/Walk
This 5K and 10K (with mother/daughter divisions) is one of the oldest women’s races in Canada, debuting in 1979. Fundraising partner: Connections Counseling. Aug. 25, 2013. www.calgaryroadrunners.com/events/calgary-womens-runwalk
Run for Women National Race Series
Doubling this year to six races (Vancouver, Calgary, Unionville, Quebec City, Ottawa, Halifax), these 5K and 10K events (with a 1K for girls 12 and under) feature Olympian keynote speakers and attract some 1500 to 2000 each. Charity: Because I Am a Girl. Www.runforwomen.ca
A Sampling of Top US Women’s Races
Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K, Albany NY
Significant prize money draws an elite international field of open and masters runners, along with some 4,500 recreational runners. Celebrates its 35th anniversary June 1, 2013.www.freihofersrun.com
Zooma Women’s Half Marathon and 5k Series
An intimate boutique series run by women, set in destination resorts with post-race parties, wine, yoga and massages. Www.zoomarun.com
Diva Half Marathon & 5K Series
The largest women’s race series packs on the parties and the pink for its “diva” runners, in US vacation destinations. www.runlikeadiva.com
See Jane Run Half Marathon and 5K Series
Focus is on inspiration in this four-race series, along with complimentary chocolate tastings, champagne and sports massages. www.seejanerun.com
Nike Women’s Marathon and Half Marathon
The largest women’s race in North America, with some 20,000 runners in San Francisco (October), just got a little half sister in Washington, DC (April).www.facebook.com/NWM26.2
Run Like a Mother
Cool series of 5K races in multiple cities to celebrate mother’s day, including 1K runs for kids. www.runlikeamotherrace.com
Gazelle Girls Half Marathon
A new race that will take you to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in April 2013. www.gazellesports.com/info/255-GazelleGirlHalf.html
Thelma and Louise Half Marathon
This course in Moab, Utah runs through the desert but not, they assure us, over a cliff, June 1, 2013. www.moabhalfmarathon.com/tlhm/index.cfm
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
If you love pink and tiaras, this race is for you: Feb 22-24, 2013.www.rundisney.com/princess-half-marathon
Dirty Girl Mud Runs
At these 5K mud runs, PMS stands for pretty muddy stuff. Some 50 events all over the US. www.godirtygirl.com
Iron Girl
Athleta apparel sponsors some 13 US-wide events varying from 5K to marathon, duathlon and triathlon. www.irongirl.com
A Sampling of Top International Women’s Races
Flora Women’s Mini Marathon, Dublin, Ireland
Started in 1983 with 9,000 participants, this 10K had more than 40,000 women on the start line in 2011, who made it the biggest single-day charity fundraising event in Ireland. June 3, 2013. http://www.florawomensminimarathon.ie
Avon Women Running Frauenlauf, Berlin
Prize money attracts German and international elite runners to this 18,500-women strong 5K and 10K, now in its 30th year. May of every year. www.berliner-frauenlauf.de
Austrian Women’s Run, Vienna
The glamour event of women’s racing in Europe, this 5K and 10K attracts some 30,000 women, with divisions for elite and recreational runners, even company and family teams. May 26, 2013. www.austrianwomensrun.com
La Parisienne Women’s Race
This fun 6K starting under the Eiffel Tower attracts some 28,000 women. September 15, 2013. www.la-parisienne.net
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Yes, think of you often — especially when I’m running to your podcast!!