FOREWARD BY ANNA TROUP

Women Run Ultras was founded by Anna Troup in January 2026 in response to concerns raised by a number of women runners who wanted to run the Spine race and were fearful that new cut offs would make it impossible to achieve.

It quickly became clear that the cut offs weren’t the real problem.

Underlying the concerns were a lack of knowledge about the how to be efficient in the race, insecurity in their ability to perform some of the necessary skills, including navigation and a heavy dose of imposter syndrome. 

Women were not entering because they were concerned they didn’t belong and when they did enter the majority of DNFs were due to a crisis of confidence in ability out on the course.

The Women’s Spine Support Group, initially a whatsapp group, quickly grew as a mechanism to educate, support and to create a community of like minded women juggling family life, working life and training.

all of whom had a desire to do more ultra races or start their ultra journeys with one eye on a Spine race. 

The group supported women through the Spine entry process, helped create confidence through role-modelling and quickly became a backbone for advice.

Everyone found a place they belonged and a set of people that understood their passion for testing themselves on the trails.

From this beginning Women Run Ultras was formed to continue the work of the Women’s Spine Support Group but with a wider focus on ultra running of all distances and all levels.

The ethos remains the same as in those early days:

1. We are supportive of each other at every stage of every individual’s ultra journey – we all started somewhere and everyone who loves the trails belongs here

2. We are here to educate using only expert knowledge

3. All skills and expertise are shared freely, it’s our way of “giving back”

4. We are inclusive of all women who want to build into ultra running

5. We have a healthy approach and always one eye on longevity in the sport