Women’s Trail Day: The global initiative that brings female runners together and promotes gender equality in trail running
Women's Trail Day (WTD), launched by ITRA at the instigation of Izzy Chanel, is a global initiative aimed at improving women's participation and visibility in trail running. By bringing together thousands of female runners for a joint global outing, the initiative has generated a sense of unity and inclusivity on a global scale. This first edition, praised for its international mobilization, has been nominated in the Social Initiative of the Year category at the Trail Running Awards.
The challenge of gender parity and representation
Despite the growth of the sport, trail running still has work to do to ensure fair representation and participation of women.
The WTD initiative was designed to address this need by creating an international day to celebrate the role of women in the discipline.
The goal of ITRA was to make trail running more accessible by mobilizing women around the world, regardless of location or skill level. The approach aimed to create a sense of global connection, inclusivity, and celebration, beyond the isolated sporting event.
A dual format for global mobilization
The WTD stood out for its communication strategy and hybrid format:
Global mobilization: The campaign invited women around the world to participate in a trail run—either solo or in a group—on the same day (June 1), using social media and activity tracking platforms (Strava) to bring participants together.
Flagship event: A physical gathering was organized in Chamonix, led by experienced female leaders and supported by partner brands (Maurten, Runderwear, Run the Alps). This meeting point provided a high-quality experience, including a community lunch and professional exchanges.
Structured amplification: The digital reach of the campaign was ensured by a rigorous multi-channel communication plan, including targeted email campaigns and sustained activity on the main social media platforms, contacting hundreds of clubs and communities around the world.
This synergy between in-person events and global digital activation led to strong participation in Asia and South America, exceeding European expectations.
Community, professionalism, and industry recognition
Women's Trail Day has generated results that confirm its potential to become a sustainable movement.
Community engagement: WTD generated a significant number of social media posts, with hundreds of posts and stories shared by the community. This user-generated content created a strong sense of unity.
Industry recognition: Major industry brands (Adidas Terrex) spontaneously promoted the campaign, demonstrating widespread recognition. Organizations such as SheRACES also praised the initiative.
Emotional resonance: Participants expressed gratitude for the sense of connection and inspiration generated by the day. One participant summed up the impact: "Celebrating and valuing women in trail running! Happy Women's Trail Day!!"
This first edition lays the foundations for a lasting movement, proving that a structured approach can make trail running more accessible, representative, and welcoming for all women.
