Our Partnership with sherACES

At Great Owl Running, we aim to provide an entire event experience that is inclusive, accesible, and welcoming to all. Our first value is to empower everyone, it is this value, that directs all our decisions and inspires us to constantly question our practices, policies and purpose. We are excited to be backing SheRaces, although much of what is written below has been the standard of our races, it has been a valuable and important process to formalise our SheRaces Policy. 

We hope that, in presenting our policies here, we will continue to see more equal representation. As the trail running market develops in each of our locations, we aim to be at the forefront of inclusivity and accessibility to all our events. 

Level the Start Line

Inclusive Imagery

Across our website, social media, blogs, and images we make available to press partners we will include a range of runner images. This includes sharing photos of first-time runners, back markers, front runners ensuring that we are representing all ages, shapes and colours in our organisational communications. All our photographers and videographers are fully briefed on this goal to guide their storytelling.  

Race Descriptions 

We are undertaking the process of making the language and information around our routes more inclusive and accessible. We will include more specific information about our routes as early as we can. We will continue to encourage runners to focus on the experience and not the time. 

Celebrate Every Finisher

All finishers will run through our finishing line to enjoy their moment, no matter their time or position.  

Generous cut-offs

Historically, we have had a generous finishing time rather than en-route cut-offs. In recent times, we have introduced checkpoint cut-offs where we deem the conditions to be potentially hazardous. These are as generous as possible.

Planning 

We will be informing runners of all the logistics around our events in advance where possible. We welcome all questions, worries and comments. 

Fair deferral policies 

Pregnancy deferrals: Women can defer their place at an event until they are fit, healthy and ready. Pregnancy deferrals last for the next two years of the chosen event. 

Toilets 

At the start lines, we will ensure appropriate toilet facilities with clearly marked separate toilets for women. At aid stations without toilet facilities, our leaders will have assessed appropriate areas to recommend to women. Safe, out of site and with provisions. We will also ensure sanitary products are available at all our official checkpoint aid stations.  

Tees

We are no longer offering free tees at any of our races. Tees are an optional purchase. This enables us to ensure high quality fabrics, design, and appropriate sizing for both male and female bodies. 

Breastfeeding athletes

If any runner needs to breastfeed at our events, we will be available to discuss and plan their needs out on the course. We have no rules on ‘Outside Help’ and, due to the uncompetitive nature of our events, we can be flexible.  

Respect Our Competition

Equal Coverage

All our post-race write-ups, press releases and discussions will make equal reference to the results of both the women's and the men's race.

Prizes

When prizes are awarded they are identical for both male and female podium positions.