Why Women Break the Men's Endurance Records

Sophie Woods, a New Zealand ultrarunner, has broken both the women’s and men’s endurance records on the Via Alpina, completing a 2,000-kilometer route through eight countries, over the Alps, from Trieste to Monaco in 29 days. During the challenge, she averaged three to four hours of sleep per night and surpassed the previous male record by more than seven days. The achievement marks a significant milestone in the world of long-distance running, as Woods ran faster than any man had previously managed on this grueling course. The Via Alpina, which spans multiple European nations, demands extreme physical and mental endurance. Woods, who competed under her birth name Sophie Grant, completed the journey with remarkable consistency, overcoming challenges such as altitude changes, unpredictable weather, and limited rest periods. She described the experience as “unglaublich” after breaking the overall record, though she admitted it took time to fully process the accomplishment. “When I think back, I get goosebumps,” she told Deutsche Welle. Her motivation extended beyond setting a new benchmark, she pursued the adventure itself, with a self-imposed limit of one month on the road. Woods is part of a growing trend in ultra-running where women have increasingly challenged and surpassed traditional gender-based performance gaps. In 2026, American runner Rachel Entrekin set a new distance record during the Cocodona 250, a 400-kilometer race, while Tara Dower broke the men’s best time on the Long Trail in Vermont in 2025. These achievements reflect broader shifts in how endurance sports are perceived and performed. In 2019, German physician Fiona Kolbinger became the first woman to win the Transcontinental Race, a 4,000-kilometer cycling event across Europe, finishing nearly eight hours ahead of the second-place male competitor. That same year, British athlete Jasmin Paris won the Spine Race, a 430-kilometer trail run, improving the men’s record by over 12 hours. These milestones underscore a pattern: as races grow longer, the gap between male and female performance narrows significantly. A comprehensive analysis conducted by RunRepeat and the International Association of Ultrarunners examined over five million results from more than 15,000 ultramarathons. The findings revealed that the difference in average completion times between men and women decreases as race distances increase. At marathon distances, men were still approximately 11.1 percent faster. However, at 100 miles (about 160 kilometers), the gap narrowed to just 0.25 percent. For races exceeding 195 miles (around 314 kilometers), women even averaged 0.6 percent faster than men. Biological factors may contribute to these trends. Women tend to have a higher proportion of fatigue-resistant Type I muscle fibers and utilize fat as a primary energy source during endurance activities. This physiological advantage could allow them to sustain effort over longer durations. Woods noted that while these traits play a role, they don’t explain everything. “I believe we can put our ego aside,” she said. “And I think we’re really good at solving problems.” Ultra-running is not solely about speed, it involves strategic decisions regarding sleep, nutrition, and recovery. Woods relied heavily on her support team to make these choices, handing over control of daily routines to ensure optimal performance. “I gave my life into their hands,” she explained. “I would run until they told me to stop.” This collaborative approach highlights how modern ultra-runners balance discipline with adaptability, navigating uncertainty with precision. As the sport continues to evolve, the boundaries between male and female performance are becoming increasingly blurred. With more women pushing limits in long-distance events, the future of endurance athletics promises further surprises. For now, Sophie Woods stands as a testament to the power of determination, strategy, and resilience in the face of extreme challenges.