SheRACES, in partnership with Fund Her Tri UK, has released the most detailed research and analysis to date on the experience of women in triathlon racing, alongside solutions to improve it and increase female participation.
Over 900 female triathletes – ranging in experience from under a year to more than a decade racing in the sport – contributed to the survey, sharing their real-life experiences of events in the UK and around the world.
And just 3% of those athletes reported neither being deterred from entering a race (for reasons other than cost), nor experiencing inequitable provision as a woman.
What the survey revealed
The aim of the research was to develop a deeper understanding of female experiences in triathlons and gain insight into how races can improve the experience for a diverse range of athletes, while attracting more women to the start line.
At present female participation in triathlon is 32% overall in the UK (source: Triathlon Industry Association), but this number drops dramatically as the distance increases.
Some of the key findings from the survey were as follows:
● 84% of female triathletes would be more likely to enter races that committed to equitable and inclusive treatment for women.
● 79% of triathletes who became pregnant while preparing for a triathlon lost out on at least one race entry due to pregnancy.
● 69% have only been provided with unisex t-shirts.
● 67% of women are put off entering triathlon events due to the cost.
● 57% of respondents have experienced insufficient toilet provisions at race.
● 42% have found a lack of private changing facilities at events
● 28% of female triathletes in the survey have experienced physical or verbal harassment at a race
● 24% of women have been put off entering triathlons due to a lack of available logistical information.
● 24% have noticed unequal coverage of the men’s and women’s competition before, during and after a race.
● 19% of women have been put off entering triathlons because of uncertainty about making the overall cutoff times
Shocking harassment findings
The full report also exposes the unacceptable harassment female triathletes have experienced while racing.
This included examples of verbal harassment, such as being shouted at to move, comments about their body, clothing or ability, and race marshals and other participants making inappropriate or sexual comments.
Physical harassment and abuse included being pushed and shoved, inappropriate and unwanted touching/hugging, being swam over on the swim leg, dangerously close overtaking when cycling, and running too close to a female athlete.
The survey also highlights numerous examples of participants requiring medical attention or hospitalisation due to athlete behaviour.
SheRACES a game-changer
Using the results of the survey and the comments of the respondents, SheRACES and Fund Her Tri UK have written a detailed report outlining the current state of the female experience in triathlon racing, which includes in-depth insight and analysis.
SheRACES has also written triathlon-specific race guidelines for race organisers, which outline best practice for all events to be inclusive to women. They say that following these simple guidelines would make triathlon better for everyone, with men benefitting from steps towards inclusion too.
Triathlons that meet the minimum commitments for female-inclusive races can also take the additional step of becoming SheRACES accredited, highlighting their commitment to getting more women to the start line and giving them a good experience when they get there.
SheRACES has already made a significant difference in the running sphere and Sophie Power, their founder and a GB ultrarunner, said: “We believe a woman’s place is on the start line. Over the last three years, our detailed insight work, campaigning and analysis has driven real change in the world of trail and road running, with some of the biggest races in the world committing to change that positively impacts the women’s race experience from beginner to elite.
“Now it’s time to apply our knowledge to triathlon and support race organisers to create events that consider the female experience, while empowering triathletes to advocate for better race experiences.
“The comments we received on our survey were eye-opening, and while there are a lot of positives in triathlon already, there is much work to be done.”
Reaction to the survey
Bianca Fernandez-Clark, Chair of Fund Her Tri UK, says: “I’ve raced in over 100 triathlons, from a small women-only Super Sprint in Spain to the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, so I deeply relate with some of the experiences shared by so many women in this survey.
“I love triathlon, and while the sport has given me so much, it hasn’t always made me feel like I belonged – both as a woman and as a person of colour. For years, I’ve wanted to change that. Through Fund Her Tri UK, we’re breaking some of those barriers, increasing gender diversity at the start line, and ensuring women race in environments where they feel valued, welcomed and truly seen.”
Later this week here at TRI247 we will be speaking in detail about the survey to Ruth Daniels, British Triathlon’s CEO, and her initial reaction was as follows: “We always welcome new research and perspectives and that is why we worked with SheRACES and Fund Her Tri UK to share the questionnaire with our members and enable them to include their views for this report.
“We will now be reviewing the results and recommendations, alongside our own data and feedback from women in our sport, to see how we can further improve women’s experiences in triathlon, working with event organisers, clubs, our members and wider triathlon community.
“We are already talking to event organisers about our event guidance to ensure it includes a greater focus on equality, diversity, inclusion and sustainability. The SheRACES commitments announced in this report, if implemented by event organisers, should provide an improved experience for women taking part as well as increase numbers of women and girls participating in triathlon and at events. Our new guidance will be launched early 2025.
“We have also been working on a revised pregnancy deferral policy for our Age Group athletes, which has been developed in consultation with them and is being launched imminently.
“We are a sport founded on men and women doing the same distances for the same prize money and absolutely want to ensure we enable women and men and girls and boys to participate at all levels in our sport.”
