Women Step Up. Women Show Up. Women Run!

As we approach Mother’s Day, we’re also nearing race day for a number of Women’s Runs around the country. First started as a way to prove that women can run, Women’s Runs may seem redundant in 2025. After all, women make up the majority of all race participants today (53%). But as these events demonstrate, Women’s Runs still have a place as a safe and joyful way to step into sport and celebrate collective accomplishment. While some “Women’s Runs” officially allow participants of all genders, they all serve as a reminder of the history of women in the sport (or the absence of them) and a chance to introduce more women to the exuberance of racing.

Just last week, the Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Relay hosted 2,000+ runners in a weekend of running and social events. Some women chose to make it a full weekend, by choosing one of the race’s “Double Run” options and doing the Saturday evening 5K along with either the half marathon or 10K on Sunday. The event also provided a more social option, with 57 teams of 3 opting to complete the half marathon as a relay team!

Upcoming Women’s Runs

If you weren’t in Des Moines last week, you still plenty of opportunity to catch a Women’s Run this year. Check out some of the upcoming events around the country!

The Montana Women’s Run

May 10, 2025

The Montana Women’s Run began in 1982 to give the women who often organized races for men an opportunity to run themselves, without intimidation. Today, it’s the one of the largest runs in Montana, with a focus on promoting health and fitness among women, especially women who would not otherwise exercise.

More than 5,500 runners will lace up on the Saturday before Mother’s Day!

Colorado Women’s Classic

May 11, 2025

This Mother’s Day Race in Westminster is about the positive parts of being in a community of women. Being on mother’s day means it can be a part of a multi-generational tradition, with run partners, sisters, mothers, daughters, and granddaughters all toeing the start line together.

The Colorado Women’s Classic is also a race that gives a lot, with seven aid stations, fresh flowers for finishers, medals for 10-miler finishers, free photo downloads, raffle prizes, women’s cut race shirts, and more.

Delightful® Run for Women

May 31, 2025

Closing out May is the 47th edition of the Run for Women 5K in Albany, NY. In 2025, they are offering a referral rewards program to incentivize participants to share and grow the event. To date, nearly 8% of registrants were referred by another runner.

To further highlight the social aspect of the sport, the Run for Women offers an array of team options, including the rare 4-person team with a Great Grandmother, Grandmother, Mother, and Daughter!

Medstar Health Baltimore Women’s Classic 5K presented by New Balance

June 22, 2025

The Baltimore Women’s Classic is celebrating it’s 50th year! It was first introduced in 1976 by the Road Runners Club of America, making it the second oldest all-women’s running event in the United States.

The Baltimore Women’s Classic also takes sisterhood to the next level, with runners encouraged to join the race as teams. A prize is given for the largest team! With Websites V2, they’re able to easily add a top teams leaderboard to display the progress of the top teams.

Boston 10K for Women

October 11, 2025

Originating in 1977, the Boston 10K for Women has united runners of all abilities in a day of strength, speed, and solidarity. Last year, more than 5,000 runners signed up to participate.

The race has a strong charity component, as well: last year, they raised more than $30,000 for their charity causes using multiple charity partners. The secret to their fundraising success? In addition to soliciting donations during registration, they support individual and team peer-to-peer fundraisers, with women choosing the charity they personally want to support.

Upcoming Women’s Triathlons

While women are the majority in running races, the opposite is true in triathlons. Estimates vary, but in 2020 women made up 39% of USAT membership. Women’s triathlons can help bridge that gap by providing welcoming, supportive race experiences for triathletes of all levels.

Nashville Women’s Triathlon

The Nashville Women’s Triathlon is a day of empowerment, endurance, and personal triumphs set against the backdrop of the iconic Parthenon.

Th e race gives women a wide range of participation options, with 12 options for individual and relay competitions for a sprint triathlon, a super sprint triathlon, an aquabike, and a bike-run.

Women’s Philadelphia Triathlon

This regular-sellout event is Philadelphia’s only women’s triathlon. With a triathlon, a super sprint, a duathlon, and an aquabike event, the event is a perfect option for flexible multi-sport racing.

The event raises money for the Superhero Project INC, a Philadelphia based 501c3 charity that supports families in the neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital. With donation collection before and during registration, the July event is already 63% to it’s fundraising goal.

And SO Many More!

Looking for a Women’s race near you? Here are just a few more upcoming events with registration open:

May Races

AdventHealth Girlz on Fire Women’s Triathlon & 5K (May 10, Clermont FL)
Women for Women 5K (May 10, West Palm Beach FL)
Snohomish Women’s Run (May 10, Snohomish WA)
Women’s Distance Festival 5K (May 10, Colorado Springs CO)
Xpand Your Limits Strong Women’s 5K (May 17, Columbus OH)
Lexington Medical Center Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler (May 17, Columbia SC)
MomsTRI Women’s Sprint Triathlon (May 17, Goodyear AZ)

June Races

Alaska Run for Women (June 7, Anchorage AK)
Unbridled Women Adventure Race (June 14, Louisville KY)
Women on the Run (June 22, Warren PA)