NYRR Celebrates Women's History Month
The world is rich with diversity, which is reflected in the observances and recognitions celebrated by its various cultures, religions, and populations.
These are a few observances in March, from local to international:
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Irish American Heritage Month
This year, we continue to highlight the historical milestones achieved by women in running and share the stories of women at all levels from all backgrounds for our annual celebration of Women's History Month.
We recognize too, that more women are needed in positions of power and influence in running, and that the accomplishments of women runners need to be recognized as much as those of men. BIPOC women runners remain underrepresented, and trans women and nonbinary runners struggle for recognition.
Representation Matters On and Off the Field: Girls and Women in Sports Are Here to Stay
Victoria Fortune (second from left) and panelists at a 2026 National Girls & Women in Sports Day event for NYRR Run for the Future alumnae.
Victoria Fortune, a member of NYRR Contributors Circle, moderated the National Girls & Women in Sports Day panel at the New York Road Runners office in February and wrote about her experience. "From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with the warmest energy from the NYRR team and the Run for the Future alumnae. The room was filled with youth, parents, NYRR community members, and past program participants."
Women's Running Pioneer Lynn Blackstone: "I Just Kept Going"
Lynn Blackstone has seen a lot of changes in women’s running since her first run around the reservoir in Central Park, back and at times she’s helped drive that change herself. Lynn was one of the “Six Who Sat” at the start of the 1972 New York City Marathon. Today, at 85, she's still running strong.
Women-Owned Business on Mission to Create Sense of Confidence and Safety on the Run
Safely, a company founded by four women, has a mission to help women feel more confident and to create a safer tomorrow.
Set the Pace: The Vital Importance of Safety for Women Runners
This episode explores runner safety, particularly for women, and includes information on Tirop’s Angels, a Kenyan organization that combats gender-based violence; an interview with Jean Knaack of the Road Runners Club of America on the need for a systematic approach to runner safety; and a talk with the co-founders of Safely, a company that makes safety products for women runners. (Photo by Moments by Marcela.)
Set the Pace: Live from Kenya with Marathon Champ Sharon Lokedi
In this special episode, we interview Sharon Lokedi, TCS New York City Marathon champion, at her mother’s home in Eldoret, Kenya. Lokedi reflects on her journey from training on Kenya’s red clay roads to winning major marathons, and what it means to inspire other Kenyan runners.
Running Books by Women Writers
Looking for a good book by or about a woman runner? There are many to choose from! Check out this inspiring list, and happy reading during Women's History Month and all year long.
Grete Waitz: In Her Own Words
Grete Waitz was a nine-time New York City Marathon champion and the founding chairwoman of the NYRR Foundation, which has evolved into NYRR Community Impact. Her accomplishments—both as an athlete and as an advocate for health and fitness opportunities for all—were extraordinary, and yet she was known for her grace and modesty as much as for her competitiveness and grit.
Grete’s own words speak to what made her special, both on and off the roads.
Changing the Game: Women of Color Run Coaches Redefining the Industry
As Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell started getting more involved with the running industry, she realized that few, if any, women of color (WOC) were leaders in the sport.
“I started to play back all the instances of my run journey, identifying who was in these leadership roles and it made me curious, ‘What if I created something that highlighted a different type of run leader—women of color,’” Vanessa said.
Who Inspires the Women of NYRR Contributors Circle?
For Women’s History Month, we asked the members of our NYRR Contributors Circle to answer three questions about women who have inspired them and the importance of running in their lives.
Women Runners in the NYRR Hall of Fame
The New York Road Runners Hall of Fame honors legendary figures in our sport, who through their triumphs and contributions have made NYRR and the TCS New York City Marathon what they are today. Of the 42 inductees into the NYRR Hall of Fame, 17 are women.
A Timeline of NYRR Women's Running History
As we celebrate Women's History Month, we highlight historical milestones achieved by women runners in and around NYRR events and programs and in the running community.
Women's Participation in Running: Where We've Been, Where We Are, Where We're Headed
When NYRR was founded in 1958, all 47 members were men. The earliest records of women members and women finishers in races occur about a decade later. Today, women make up about half of all members of NYRR, and they outnumber men in the younger age brackets. Women also make up about half of all finishers of NYRR races at all distances.
NYRR's History of Women in Leadership
NYRR has a history of women in leadership roles stretching back to our early days. Throughout our history, all of our leaders have worked and advocated for equal opportunities and recognition for women runners.
Mini Moments
The Mastercard New York Mini 10K began in 1972 as the first women-only road race, known as the Crazylegs Mini Marathon. We share five "Mini Moments” that define the history of the Mini.
Community, Representation, and More with Cheryl Donald
NYRR Contributors Circle member Victoria Fortune shares a conversation with Cheryl Donald, a runner, psychotherapist, and member of several NYC run clubs, who has run all six Abbott World Marathon Majors.