Results of Mountain Running Gender Equity Survey
from the U.S. Mountain Running Team Staff, as published on ATRA’s trailrunner.com, November 18, 2023
– Equal race distances at the World Mountain Running Championships (WMRC). Current distances are codified in the WMRA constitution.
– Equal representation of men’s & women’s team. Currently only 6 men & 4 women can be entered to race at the WMRC.
The following is a summary of results from the 2023 US Mountain Running Survey. The original survey can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12JijT1JES0YVNReZiKxuVzWvbj9_IcUSLXVHMk7aq4k/viewform
130 survey responses were submitted; 50 from women and from 80 men. Interestingly, of the 165 participants in the 2023 US Mountain Running Championships in Bend, Oregon, 49 were women and 116 were men. Included in the 130 respondents were 18 past world mountain running championship team members and 54 competitors in the US Mountain Running Championships.
How many times have you competed in the US Mountain Running Championships?
– 11 on more than four occasions
– 2 on four occasions
– 4 on three occasions
– 14 on two occasions
– 23 competed in one previous US championship
– 76 have never competed in the US Mountain Running Championships (33 women / 43 men)
Equal distance at the USMRC can be achieved by one of three ways. Which method would you support?
– 13 said don’t change the current distances (8k for women, 12k for men)(2 previous world team members)(2 women / 11 men)
– 80 said by increasing the women’s race distance to be equal to the current men’s distance of 12k (9 previous world team members)(29 women / 51 men)
– 35 said to meet in the middle and have both men and women race 10k. (6 previous world team members)(18 women / 17 men)
– 2 said to Reducing the men’s race distance to be equal to the current women’s distance of 8k. (1 previous world team member)(1 woman / 1 man)
If there is one selection race (US Championship), which date range would be ideal for you? Note: the 2016 WMRC will be held on September 4.
– 19 prefer late May
– 21 prefer early June
– 18 prefer late June
– 26 prefer early July (July 3 – Loon Mountain)
– 22 prefer late July
– 18 prefer early August
– 8 did not answer
For all respondents – preferred distance at USA CHAMPS:
– 13 for no change to men’s & women’s race distances (2 former world team members)
– 80 for increasing the women’s race distance to be equal to the current men’s distance of 12k (9 former world team members)
– 35 for meet in the middle and have both men and women race 10k. (6 former world team members)
– 2 for men & women racing 8k. (1 former world team member)
Same race or separate start for men and women at USA CHAMPS:
– 34 for same (2 previous world team members)
– 96 for separate (16 previous world team members)
Number of selection races for world team:
– 70 for one race and 100% auto-spots (11 previous world team members)
– 8 for 100% resume selection (1 previous world team member)
– 35 for 2 selection races (5 previous world team members)
– 2 didn’t answer
If one US team selection race for the world championships, where should it be held:
– 11 for always in the East (1 previous world team member)
– 7 for always in the West (1 previous world team member)
– 17 no preference (4 previous world team members)
– 93 for rotate each year between West and East (11 previous world team members)
– 2 didn’t answer (1 previous world team member)
IF a proposal for equal distances for men & women were to be presented to the WMRA Council for the WMRC, what race distance would you support?
– 5 for no change (none on previous world team)(1 woman / 4 men)
– 3 for 8K (1 previous world team member)(1 woman / 2 men)
– 31 for 10K (4 previous world team members)(18 women / 13 men)
– 79 for 12K (13 previous world team members)(25 women / 54 men)
– 12 for longer than 12K (none on previous world team)(5 women / 7 men)
IF a proposal for equal gender representation were to be presented to the WMRA Council what team allocation would you support for the WMRC? Note that an increased overall team size could result in less funding per athlete. Currently only 6 men & 4 women can be entered in the WMRC.
– 6 prefer 4 women & 4 men (a reduction of 2 men)
– 46 prefer 5 women & 5 men (an increase of 1 woman and decrease of 1 man)
– 72 prefer 6 women & 6 men (an increase of 2 women)
– 6 don’t support changes to the current gender allocations at the WMRC
Recent IAAF announcement on gender parity in XC – effective 2017.
http://www.athleticsweekly.com/featured/gender-parity-for-senior-events-at-iaaf-world-cross-35322/
To show your support for gender equity in sports please visit the following website created by 2011 World Mountain Running Champion Kasie Enman: https://sportsequality.org
Please note the following important issues are beyond the direct control of the US Mountain Running Team (USMRT) staff and the USATF Mountain, Ultra & Trail Running Council:
– Equal race distances at the World Mountain Running Championships (WMRC). Current distances are codified in the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) constitution. Changes would have to be approved by representatives from the 40+ member federations at the annual WMRA Congress meeting.
– Equal representation of men’s & women’s team. Currently only 6 men & 4 women can be entered to race at the World Mountain Running Championships (WMRC). Changes would have to be approved by representatives from the 40+ member federations at the annual WMRA Congress meeting.