Ultra women: Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson

In this episode of the Runner's World Podcast, hosts Rick Pearson and Ben Hobson welcome authors Emma Wilkinson and Lily Cantor to discuss their book 'Ultra Women.' The authors share their journey from journalism to discovering the unique strengths of women in ultra-endurance races. They elaborately explain how women's endurance sports have historical roots, tracing back to pedestrianism in the 1800s and the groundbreaking efforts of early female marathon runners like Catherine Switzer and Bobby Gibb.

Wilkinson and Cantor delve into the reasons why fewer women participate in ultra marathons compared to men, highlighting societal barriers, media representation, and the need for more female-focused sports studies. They also explore factors that make women particularly well-suited for long-distance running, such as fatigue resistance and multitasking abilities. The authors emphasize the lack of coverage of female achievements in sports and the long-standing bias in sports science which often overlooks women's health and performance research. This discussion encourages a shift in perception towards recognizing the capabilities and contributions of women in ultra-endurance sports.