End of Season Reflection | Partnered with SheRaces

The Adventure Element has come to the end of the Event and Expedition season for 2025 and reached a time of reflection: reviewing what we have achieved and what we wish to work towards.

Over the past couple of years, we have made conscious decisions and adaptations to our Events to help break down the barriers for women to enter, and have been closely studying our stats to see if this has influenced any change. 

Our Findings 

• Across all of our 2025 events, there has been split of 58% Men (1127 participants) and 42% Women (832 participants). 

• Looking at specific events, our Jurassic Road Race the Sun saw 51% Women participants in attendance. 

• While our lowest representation of women was at our Coniston Race the Sun. 

• Geographically, the more North we go with our events the fewer women we see at the start line. 

We are incredibly excited to near ever closer to a 50/50 split in many of our events and see this as one of many great successes for this year. We will continue to champion inclusivity, accessibility, and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for all to attend. 

We are proudly partnered with SheRaces, an organisation that helps champion women's inclusivity within sporting events. Their guidelines suggest diverse imagery, fair pregnancy deferral policies, generous cutoff times, and clear planning around logistics of getting to the event as ways to better accommodate women participants. These are all factors we have considered in our events and more. 

This growing representation, not just at our events but across the industry, demonstrates positive cultural shifts but also generates numerous benefits to individuals and communities. As more women lace up their shoes, hit the road on their favourite wheels, or cross the finish line, they challenge outdated stereotypes, inspire the next generation, and foster a more inclusive sporting culture for everyone.

Women's increased involvement in sport helps open doors for role models across all ages and abilities, showing that sport is for everyone and not just for a specific gender, skill level, or age group. When young girls see women actively participating and succeeding in sports events, they begin to believe they can do the same. This visibility has a powerful ripple effect, encouraging participation, healthier lifestyles, and self-confidence.

We are happy to say that the slow but steady changing of the tide is also being reflected in the next generation, with our Duke of Edinburgh's Award participants, too. 

• With our School groups, we have seen 37% more girls than boys sign up.

• On our Open expeditions, we have seen 32% more girls than boys join us. 

Participation in sport provides proven lifelong benefits for women’s physical and mental health. It offers stress relief, builds community, and creates opportunities for personal growth and achievement. In active environments, women form supportive networks that extend beyond sport, boosting confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging. All qualities that can lead to heightened career paths, promotions, and greater happiness over a lifetime. 

But there is still more we can do to keep this momentum going. Encouraging more women to participate in sports events requires thoughtful and ongoing effort. As we head into 2026, we are already considering what further adaptations we can make. From videoing the routes ahead of the event to help settle nerves and sense of the unknown, to specifically inviting women community groups to join us so that we are making that first step. We are also speaking with our past participants to gain further insight into what their experiences were like and elements we can implement, allowing their voices to shape our future events.

From the amazing footage and imagery we have gathered over the course of this year, we can utilise this to inspire future participants, highlighting inspiring stories and creating a space for women to share their journeys, celebrate their successes, and motivate others. We strive for meaningful connection, memorable experiences, and positive change. 

Together, let's create a community where women feel seen, supported, and inspired to participate in sport. Especially when that involves a fantastic day on the hill!