Some weeks ago I got a message from Ezter Csillag, who manages the women’s equality group at the Pro Trailrunners Association, asking me if I wanted to write something for a newsletter the PTRA and ITRA do for the international women’s day, about giving advice to other male runners on how to support their female mates at trail running. At first I felt out of place, that it was not my place to talk about it. That it would be better if a fellow female athlete talks to male athletes about how can we support them. But then I also realized that one of the problems we have is that unfortunately many male athletes don’t really listen to women athletes, so maybe it’s also our role to change that.

Here the text I wrote:

In November last year, climber Sébastien Berthe published a powerful three-part series on social media titled “My Life as a Cis Man.” If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend you do. In it, he reflected on the privileges that come with being a man in a male-dominated sport and the often-unseen barriers that women face.

Trail running, like climbing, is a sport that remains largely dominated by cisgender white men, often from privileged socioeconomic backgrounds. And while we like to think of ourselves as part of an open, welcoming community, the reality is that our sport is not free from sexism, exclusion, and discrimination.

Recognizing the problem

When the first alpine club was founded in England in 1857, women could not be part of it. The chains are very long and even today the years of male dominance in mountaineering still drag on. It wasn’t better in running, where women were banned from racing and even taken off the races if discovered despite their efforts to dress as men. When we think of the great alpinists, the great runners, the names that come to mind are surely mostly of men. The history and books were written mostly by men. Women, although they practiced, were silenced, and this has surely contributed to the fact that even today, for example when a group of boys hire a mountain guide or a female coach, if it is a woman, they have a certain suspicion “will she be strong enough to help us?” and if we see a men and a women in the outdoors, we still assume that the men is the strong one, the one with knowledge and that the women “follows him”

Many of us grew up surrounded by a culture that reinforced certain ideals of beauty and strength. The media, brands, and even our own communities tend to highlight male athletes with muscular physiques while promoting unrealistic or narrow beauty standards for women.

We also carry harmful language into the sport. Expressions like “don’t be a sissy”,  “last one is a sissy “ or  “maricón el último” , “no seas nenaza” in spanish, or “quel pédé” “il court comme une fille” in french… or when we do a mistake, when we are angry we scream “bitch!” which equate weakness with being gay or female. Those expressions are common, even in casual conversations. We’ve all heard sexist remarks like “even a woman could do that” or seen women’s achievements questioned or diminished. These words, whether we realize it or not, shape the culture of our sport.

There’s fewer scientific studies on female athletes, meaning that training methodologies are still largely based on male physiology. This reinforces the perception that men are inherently stronger and more capable—despite ample evidence from showing that women excel in those events.

The “Boys’ club” culture

In many teams and training groups, a “boys’ club” mentality persists, where sexist, homophobic, or racist jokes are dismissed as harmless fun. Women who enter these spaces often face exclusion, objectification, or subtle forms of discrimination. When they do speak up, they are sometimes met with mansplaining—a dismissive attitude where men assume they know better, whether it’s about training, racing, or even women’s own experiences in the sport.

Meanwhile, societal beauty standards also play a role in shaping our perceptions of what a “strong” athlete should look like. We admire men for being muscular, but if a woman develops visible muscle or body hair, it is often seen as undesirable. These double standards create additional pressure for female athletes.

What can we do?

It’s easy to think that gender inequality in sports is a “women’s fight.” But if we truly want to make trail running more inclusive, men need to take an active role in changing the culture. Here’s where we can start:

1. Escape the “Boys’ club” mentality

• Call out sexist, homophobic, and racist jokes, even when they’re disguised as humor.

• Reflect on the language we use and the assumptions we make about women in the sport.

• Support a culture where women are seen as equals, not just in performance but in knowledge and leadership.

2. Learn to stay silent and listen

• Instead of explaining things to women, listen to their experiences.

• Avoid assuming that our knowledge is superior simply because we’ve been in the sport longer or have different experiences.

• Encourage and amplify women’s voices in coaching, media, and decision-making positions.

3. Challenge our own biases

• Recognize that strength and endurance come in many forms—not just those traditionally associated with masculinity.

• Respect women’s training methods and coaching insights without questioning their legitimacy.

• Push for more research on female physiology and support coaching approaches that consider women’s specific needs.

4. Make space for women

• If you are in a position of influence—whether as an athlete, coach, or brand ambassador—advocate for equal opportunities, visibility, and sponsorships for women in trail running.

• Support mixed-gender training environments that foster inclusivity rather than reinforce divisions.

• Encourage brands and race organizers to invest in fair prize money, equal media coverage, and policies that support women in the sport.

A sport for everyone

Trail running is about freedom, exploration, and pushing limits. But for it to truly live up to those values, we need to ensure that everyone—regardless of gender—feels equally welcome, respected, and empowered. That starts with us, the men in the sport, recognizing our role in either maintaining or dismantling the barriers women face.

Equality in trail running isn’t just about participation numbers; it’s about creating an environment where women can thrive without having to fight for respe