Races for women only are increasingly popular and offer female runners something different in the race calendar. Providing an intimate and relaxed atmosphere, if you're looking for your first event or a great day out with the girls then these could be just right for you.
Alexandra Park 5k Women's Series, Manchester M16 7JL
When: Sunday, 4th March 2012 and first Sunday of the month thereafter, registration closes 9:45am
About the race: A flat, traffic-free course, held inside the park on a road/tarmac surface.
Enter/website: www.openathletics.org
Cost: Pre-entry fees and entry on the day are the same. These are: £5 for unattached runners; £3 for runners attached to uk:athletics Clubs; £2 concessions (full-time students, under 18s, unwaged, and senior citizens). Proof of concession is required.
What they say: “Ideal for novices, but it is also a fast race-course for experienced runners.”
For more information see Alexandra Park 5k Women's Series
The Hyde Park Relays, London
When: Saturday, 3 March 2012, Women’s race 14:05pm
About the race: The Hyde Park Relays is a student relay race through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, winding around the Serpentine Lake. Women’s teams run a total of four laps, with each runner completing a lap of not less than 3.464 km. (approximately 2.2 miles). There’s a party after at the Metric.
Enter/website: hydeparkrelays.com.
Cost: £32 for a team of four.
What they say: “The race brings together running clubs, societies and students from the UK and across Europe.”
For more information see Hyde Park 5k Relays 2012
Goal-Den Girls, Spring’s Night Club, within the Hilton Hotel, North Promenade, Blackpool FY1 2JQ
When: Sunday, 25 MARCH 2012, 11am
About the Race: The course is flat and traffic-free and starts at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool running between the North Peir and Bispham. There are water bottles at three miles and everyone receives a commemorative medal and goodie bag.
Entry/Website: www.fyldecoastrunning.com/
Cost: £12, closing date March 18th.
What they say: In the summer of 2010, Tricia decided to train for the London 2012 marathon. She thought that training with other like-minded (and all of the same age, 50-plus) women would give her the support to achieve her goal and she was soon joined by 27 other women and formed the Goal-den Girls.
For more information see Goal-Den Girls 10k Road Race 2012
Run Glasgow, Ignis 10k
When: Sunday, 13 May 2012, 10am
About the race: Join over 12,000 women in Scotland’s largest all-women 10k race. As well as a technical T-shirt, and pacemakers you can expect to be entertained all the way round the course with pipers playing music every 500m. There are a variety of team challenges, corporate, family and Scottish Athletics.
Entry/website: www.runglasgow.org
Cost: £20.
What they say: “I ran it last year. It was an incredible experience and I can’t wait to do it again, but on those rare occasions when my energy started to dip there was nothing better than some pumping – or in this case piping – tunes to keep my legs moving. I would encourage women of all shapes and sizes to get involved.”
For more information see Run Glasgow, Ignis 10k 2012
Normanby Hall Womens’ 5k, Normanby, Scunthorpe, DN15 9HU
When: Sunday, 27 May 2012, 930am
About the race: This event is a flat one lap 5k race held in the beautiful park surroundings of Normanby Park/Hall.
Entry/Website: www.metrestomiles.co.uk
Cost: £10 affiliated, £12 non-affiliated, closing date 25 June, but there are entries on the day.
What they say: “The aim of the event is fun, fun, fun for all abilities so come and join us to walk, jog or run this Ladies Only event.”
For more information see Normanby Hall Womens 5km 2012
Windsor 8K, The Long Walk, Great Windsor Park, Windsor, SL4 2HH
When: Saturday, 6 October 2012, 12 noon
Course: The course runs through the Great, Long Walk to stage our event. Only one other event: the Windsor Half Marathon is allowed to do this. The start itself is gradually uphill for approximately one mile, it is not severe but it is noticeable! The rest of the course follows a circular route through the beautiful landscape of the Great Park and is best described as undulating – but the last mile to the finish is all downhill.
Entry/Website: running4womenwindsor8k.com
Cost: £10.50 affiliated, £12.50 non-affiliated.
What they say: “The event began with the idea of introducing women to participating in organised running events and this is still the way we operate. It caters for all abilities: from absolute beginners through to seasoned runners – we treat you all as equal!”
For more information see Running4Women Windsor 8k 2012
City Of Salford Women's 5.25, Swinton, Manchester M27
When: Sunday, 25 November 2012
About the race: The route has been accurately measured by BAF (British Athletics Federation) at 5.25miles and is recognised by the British Association of Road Races (BARR).
Enter/website: www.swintonrunningclub.org.uk/
Cost: £7.75, affiliated, £9.75, non-affiliated.
What they say: “Swinton Running club has traditionally always had a strong women’s section and a commitment to encourage women’s running. As a demonstration of this, the club joined together with the City of Salford to host a 5.25 mile run. Based on an idea from one of our club members, Marie Carvath, we first held the event in 1991 and encouraged by the very warm reception to the event from those taking part we have continued with the event ever since.”
For more information see City of Salford Women's 5.25 2012
RISE 8K Undercliff Run for women near Brighton Marina, Brighton BN2 5UF
When: Sunday, 7 October 2012
About the Race: Scenic run along the bottom of the famous chalk cliffs from Saltdean to Brighton Marina and back, with the cliffs on one side and the sea on the other side.
Enter/website: www.riseuk.org.uk
Cost: TBC.
What they say: “Unique, women-only run that’s organised by and one of the main fundraising events for Brighton based charity RISE, which provides services for women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse. You can also sign up for the 8K Undercliff Walk for Families. The cheers, atmosphere, scenery, sea air and sound of the crashing waves make this a pretty unique Sunday morning run!”
For more information see Rise 8k Undercliff Run for Women 2012
ShockAbsorber women only 5k and 10k, Richmond Park, Richmond, Surrey TW10 5HS
When: Sunday, 20 October 2012, 10am
About the Race: 5k and 10k one lap course; run with your buggy races and wheelchair start, in the idyllic, traffic-free setting of Richmond Park, in support of Breast Cancer Care. Before each event there will be a 15 minute warm up to get you ready for your run and after the event there will be the opportunity to take part in a 15 minute yoga cool-down session to make sure you’re stretched out and properly warmed-down after your exertions. Now in its second year, this year there are three Motivational Music Stations at key points in the course for when the going gets tough. Medals for all and baby blue, technical T-shirts available to buy for race day.
Enter/website: www.humanrace.co.uk. Deadline 9pm Monday, 15 October 2012 (or earlier if full).
Cost: £16 5k, and £22 10k.
What they say: “This is the perfect event for any ladies looking to move away from the larger mass-participation events out there and towards something quieter and more intimate, all while retaining all the little creature comforts a well-organised event should always include.”
For information on the 5k event see Shock Absorber Women Only 5k 2012
For information on the 10k event see Shock Absorber Women Only 10k 2012