RISE 8K: A SheRACES case study
- SheRACES
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
SheRACES’ Accredited Event RISE 8K Undercliff Run for Women is a unique and much-loved women’s only race, organised by independent Brighton-based charity RISE, a women-led and women-centred charity, supporting survivors of domestic abuse and violence. SheRACES has conducted detailed research into women’s only races – who needs them and what role they play in ensuring that all women have access to a start line. We support the work that RISE does as a charity and in providing a women’s only event that ensures all women can take part in a safe, secure environment. SheRACES’ founder Sophie Power was proud to be the official race starter for the 2025 event.
For RISE, this event – which takes place along the Undercliff Path in Saltdean – reflects the mission of the charity: not just in who it supports as a fundraising event, but also in how it’s run. The RISE 8K has, for the last 17 years, “been exclusively for women since its inception, closing a gap in the running market and creating a safe, inclusive space that many women say they cannot find elsewhere,” says Project Manager at RISE Holly Freeman. “This event offers a rare and empowering space where women can come together to run, heal, and celebrate strength and solidarity.”
At RISE 8K the Race Director is a woman, as are all members of the operations and delivery team, something that’s key to the success of the event: “This leadership model empowers women at every level of the event – from planning and logistics to race-day delivery.” The aim is to create a supportive environment where women, including survivors, feel safe, seen and celebrated. All funds raised go directly into supporting RISE’s frontline services.
As one participant says: “Running the 8K for RISE means so much to me and my own personal journey…. for all the other women… it’s so empowering to do this all together for our local community.”
Why we need women’s only races
Women’s only races aren’t for everyone, but for the women who do need them, they give a supportive and safe environment in which to participate. Holly says: “[RISE 8K] ensures that every woman feels welcomed at the start line, celebrated – whether she finishes first, last, or anywhere in between and supported in a space free from harassment, judgement, or intimidation.” She explains that the RISE 8K event is specifically designed for:
Women who want to run in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment
Beginner runners who might feel intimidated by male-dominated events
Survivors of domestic abuse, many of whom use the race as part of their healing journey
Supporters who want to give back to the charity that supported them or their loved ones
This lines up with what we have discovered through our own SheRACES’ research on women’s only events. 53% of women who took part in our survey said women’s only events made them feel safer, while 66% said that they had a more enjoyable atmosphere.
Women’s only events also centre women in the context of the race, something that isn’t always the case in mixed events. As Holly says: “By removing the often-unintentional dominance of male winners in mixed races, it creates a space where female achievement is centred and uplifted.”
The point SheRACES advocates for is that women’s only races don’t simply exist to exclude men; they serve an important, necessary purpose to empower women to enter an event. Holly agrees: “They are about creating spaces that uplift women in a sporting world that has historically been less inclusive and less supportive of female participants.”
Over the last few years, we’ve worked hard to create race guidelines that races can implement to improve the women’s race experience, across all race types (including trail running, road running, cycling and triathlon). And this is making races more inclusive and welcoming than ever before. However, it doesn’t mean that the mixed start line is right for everyone and that every woman feels comfortable there. Women’s only races offer a safe, encouraging and non-judgemental space. “A key benefit is that women-only races offer a space where women can feel safe, seen, and celebrated – regardless of pace or experience,” says Holly. “This safe space is especially important for those who may feel marginalised or vulnerable in mixed-gender settings.”
RISE 8K is a SheRACES Accredited Event, which means it meets our best-practice guidelines for putting on an inclusive event.
“As an event, we share the same values and views as SheRACES, and are proud to already implement many of their excellent guidelines they recommend for women-only races. Their guidance serves as a valuable reminder of areas where we can continue to improve, particularly regarding toilet and changing facilities at the event.”
And like all good events, RISE 8K is committed to listening to the feedback of their participants to continue to improve.
“We place great importance on listening to our participants – all of whom are female runners – and their feedback is vital to shaping a safe, welcoming and enjoyable experience. This ongoing dialogue ensures we remain responsive to the needs of our community and continue to evolve in line with best practice.”
We hope examples like the RISE 8K show what can be achieved through women’s only races and why they offer so much to the women who need them. We know there is a market – 87% of women answering our survey were interested in taking part in a women-only race in the future – so it’s commercially viable too. Done right, women’s only races enhance the racing scene ensuring there is a suitable start line for all women.
Find out more about the RISE 8K
Read our Women’s Only Races research
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