Gender Specific Races

[stampingoddess]

With all the buzz about today's announcement on RunDisney of yet another woman's-focused race several men have commented about the uproar that would be had if someone announced a men's-only race. While I would agree, my husband commented

"I think I'm with you that there would be an uproar if someone put on a mens only race the way they do chick races. Plus I don't think most guys would even care that it was a "guys" race and flock to it. I know I wouldn't. What are they going to do, have it sponsored by Red Bull and Budwieser? My guess is that there isn't a market for it."

So my question to the guys out there, if Disney, or anyone else, offered a men's only race, how likely would it appeal to you (assuming, of course that the timing, location, price, etc. fit into your marathon/half marathon plans).

 

[FireDancer]

A men's only race has as much appeal to me as a men's only gym...none. I never understood why anyone would want to go to a gender specific one of those either.

ETA: I would be ashamed to even participate in such an exclusionary event.

 

[geaux_half]

If there was a mens only and a mixed gender race with all other factors equal, I would sign up for the mixed gender race. However, I wouldn't not sign up for a race because its a mens only race if it otherwise appeals to me.

 

[stampingoddess]

A men's only race has as much appeal to me as a men's only gym...none.

Which seems to be the crux of the issue with women's only races IMHO. Obviously there are alot of women who want to participate in a women's only race, but men probably aren't interested in a men's only race.

Likewise, I suspect that women spend more money on race goodies and in the end, if Disney (or any other race) can fill quickly with a one gender over the other, then from a marketing and business ($$) point of view, market to the segment of the racing community that will give you more money.

Just my $0.02 worth.

 

[FireDancer]

Which seems to be the crux of the issue with women's only races IMHO. Obviously there are alot of women who want to participate in a women's only race, but men probably aren't interested in a men's only race.

Likewise, I suspect that women spend more money on race goodies and in the end, if Disney (or any other race) can fill quickly with a one gender over the other, then from a marketing and business ($$) point of view, market to the segment of the racing community that will give you more money.

Just my $0.02 worth.

I would wager that the majority of people who participate in these races are also Caucasian. If it isn't right to make the races Caucasian only because your numbers support it than it isn't right to make them women only just because your numbers support it.

Just my $0.02 worth.

 

[verticalchaos]

I would wager that the majority of people who participate in these races are also Caucasian. If it isn't right to make the races Caucasian only because your numbers support it than it isn't right to make them women only just because your numbers support it.

Just my $0.02 worth.

You are ever the voice of reason here! <3

 

[stampingoddess]

I would wager that the majority of people who participate in these races are also Caucasian. If it isn't right to make the races Caucasian only because your numbers support it than it isn't right to make them women only just because your numbers support it.

Just my $0.02 worth.

My point isn't that more women particpate in the mixed gender races so they should have women's only races. It was that women seem to be drawn to the women's only races and will spend more money at these events.

Like the seeming lack of appeal for a men's only race, I suspect that there would be an equal lack of interest in a Caucasian only race.

Does the fact that women's only races raise more money for the organizers (assuming, of course that this is true) mean that they should continue to held? I'm not really sure, but so long as race organizers are driven by $$$ then they will continue to create and market their races to the groups/segments most likely to maximize their "profit"

 

[FireDancer]

My point isn't that more women particpate in the mixed gender races so they should have women's only races. It was that women seem to be drawn to the women's only races and will spend more money at these events.

Like the seeming lack of appeal for a men's only race, I suspect that there would be an equal lack of interest in a Caucasian only race.

Does the fact that women's only races raise more money for the organizers (assuming, of course that this is true) mean that they should continue to held? I'm not really sure, but so long as race organizers are driven by $$$ then they will continue to create and market their races to the groups/segments most likely to maximize their "profit"

I'm not arguing for a men's only or a Caucasian only race. I want all-inclusive races. To say that it is ok to discriminate against men because you can make money doing it is not a good argument and even if it is true they should be ashamed of themselves for doing it just as they should be ashamed for using the same justification to do an all whites or all anything else race.

If the increase in profit for a woman only race over a gender specific race was the exact same the increase in profit for white-only race as opposed to an all-inclusive race would that argument still hold?

And do you (general you) know why a white-only race wouldn't work? Because just about everyone, white people included, would be outraged and say something about it. So where is the outrage here?

Sorry, I'm just really peeved (not the word I want to use) about this and no amount of justification will make me less so. Even if the balance sheet supports it.

 

[stampingoddess]

As I said, I'm not really sure exactly how I feel about the proliferation of women's only races. I do enjoy doing the Princess half each year but am not really looking to do a bunch more women's only races.

For me, again, the appeal is more akin to a big girls weekend with a pesky race thrown into the mix.

For better or worse, there are more and more activities, events, etc being market specifically for women and to encourage women to get together with their girlfriends and spend money and women must be coming to them with open purses or these events wouldn't continue to be exploding.

 

[FireDancer]

As I said, I'm not really sure exactly how I feel about the proliferation of women's only races. I do enjoy doing the Princess half each year but am not really looking to do a bunch more women's only races.

For me, again, the appeal is more akin to a big girls weekend with a pesky race thrown into the mix.

For better or worse, there are more and more activities, events, etc being market specifically for women and to encourage women to get together with their girlfriends and spend money and women must be coming to them with open purses or these events wouldn't continue to be exploding.

I have no doubt these races make Disney a lot of money but even if doing a woman only (or men only or white only or northerner only) race does make you more than being more neutral Disney should do the right thing and be inclusive instead of hiding behind their balance sheet and using profit to justify discrimination.

As the consumer the only thing we can do is vote with our dollars though at this point. I will not do any more RunDisney events and unless women also vote with their dollars and say they won't participate in sexism by supporting these races they will continue.

That is really all I can do about it...other than ranting on the DIS and on Facebook.

 

[johde]

The question is women or men only (or nearly only) vs Women or men focused. Looking at the top 5 half marathon by % of women: we have.

Race/%women.
Disney Princess 97%
Women’s Running Magazine 96%
Nike Women’s 94%
26.2 With Donna 74%
Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle 73%


The first 3 I would call "women only". Where the next 2 I would call "women focused". I'm not sure I would do a "men only" race, but I would consider a "male focused" event especially if it was something like 26.2 with Donna that is a charity event.

 

[Dennyha]

There is nothing I can say here that won't get me in trouble.

 

[kamik86]

I wouldn't want to do a female only race as a woman (lets be honest I'm overweight and lazy so I probably wouldn't be able to run this anyway, but lets for a moment ignore that and assume I could).

I would want my husband to be able to race with me... he is my disney buddy and I don't want to go and do this without him. If it was simply women focused (say a race for breast cancer awarness) then I would still do it and DH would probably be willing to joint me. If they had a men's focused race where it was for something that would appeal more to men but women were still allowed I would be fine doing that.

Gender focused is ok. Making it a rule and excluding people is not.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

One could easily argue that the Princess Half is not gender specific - sure guys can't get first place but you still get a finishers medal. So, it isn't like they won't let any guys race. Whereas there are local races that are women only...no guys whatsoever.

I personally like the combined races now...the porta-potty lines are much shorter than at the Princess!

I loved running the Princess as my first race but I don't feel that my experience would have been better or worse if I had picked a combined race that allowed anyone. I personally think it is ridiculous that Disney has decided to have two Women's focused races now.

Wasn't the point of Women's only races initially to allow for the discrepancy in finish times to be eliminated? Is someone who runs at Disney really concerned about that? the only Women's race that I really want to do is the Nike one - but for the Tiffany Medal!

 

[ChloroFiend]

Sexism is sexism...it's just socially acceptable to exclude men.

I'm equally as disappointed by things like Susan G Komen foundation discounting or emasculating men in their breast cancer fundraising approach....yes, dudes get it too.

I saw as many, if not more, women participating in the Warrior Dash this weekend, an event that's mostly marketed towards men. The difference between that and things like the Princess and Tinkerbell is that women are accepted as full participants with full awards and honors, not relegated to second-class status.

 

[hotblooded]

The female-focused races don't really bother me because men can still register and get a finisher's medal. In addition, the other race weekends all offer non-gender-specific opportunities. I think that the Princess-style races draw people to runDisney who ordinarily wouldn't, because the concept is so exciting.

If Disney did a male-focused race, I might want to run it if the theme or cause was really good! It's only fair.

 

[Goofed98]

I'm glad that someone mentioned Warrior Dash.

If an event is fun, people will attend.

Charging full price for second class participation is crap. If men are charged the same, allow them to at least get official results (from what I read, that is not the case. It could be pure BS.).

I have no problem with a race on the left coast. A Disney race might be the only thing to ever draw me out the CA. There was a reason I don't run the DL 1/2, and now there's a reason I won't be running this.

Quick question: if men don't get official results, would it still qualify for the Coast-to-Coast?


*EDIT: By the way, I don't really care about the discrimination aspect of this. What chaps my *** is that the race is willing to take my money, but not really count me as a racer. I'm either in or out. I don't care which, but choose.

 

[stampingoddess]

After reading the various thoughts on this subject, I decided to write about this subject on my blog tonight.

Women's Focused Races: Discrimination or Good Marketing?

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I'm glad that someone mentioned Warrior Dash.

If an event is fun, people will attend.

Charging full price for second class participation is crap. If men are charged the same, allow them to at least get official results (from what I read, that is not the case. It could be pure BS.).

I have no problem with a race on the left coast. A Disney race might be the only thing to ever draw me out the CA. There was a reason I don't run the DL 1/2, and now there's a reason I won't be running this.

Quick question: if men don't get official results, would it still qualify for the Coast-to-Coast?

*EDIT: By the way, I don't really care about the discrimination aspect of this. What chaps my *** is that the race is willing to take my money, but not really count me as a racer. I'm either in or out. I don't care which, but choose.

It is BS that men don't get official results. You get official results and can get the Coast to Coast. You just can't win the race...which most of us fall into that category. I fully accept I will never win a race - unless the entry is limited to just me! I can't wait to do the DL half. But in order to participate in this race, I will have to give up WDW Marathon weekend.

 

[goofyinohio]

I don't think they should have gender specific races (Men or Women) and since the clues started I have stated so.

It's really too bad as it would have been another opportunity to go to Disneyland at a different time of year to run and not during Labor Day weekend which is a great weekend.