Will Women Outperform Men in Ultra-Endurance Events?
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Ultra-endurance sports—like ultra-marathons, long-distance swimming, and multi-day adventure races—test the absolute limits of human stamina. And while men have traditionally dominated many athletic events, recent research shows that the performance gap between men and women is shrinking, especially in ultra-endurance challenges. Could women one day outperform men in these extreme events? Let’s take a look.
The Gender Gap in Endurance Sports
In traditional endurance events like the marathon, men still have a performance edge of about 10% over women. But in ultra-endurance races—where distances are far longer and events last much longer—that difference drops to around 4%, or even less in some sports. In fact, in long-distance swimming, women sometimes beat men.
Why does this happen? It turns out that women’s bodies may be better suited to longer, slower, sustained effort over time.
Why Men Usually Perform Better
Men tend to have certain physical advantages that help them in most sports:
- Higher VO₂ max: This is a measure of how well the body uses oxygen during exercise. Men usually have higher values, which helps them sustain intense efforts.
- More muscle, less fat: Men typically have more muscle mass and lower body fat, giving them a better power-to-weight ratio.
- Testosterone boost: Higher levels of testosterone help men build muscle, recover faster, and produce more red blood cells, which carry oxygen.
These factors give men the edge in speed and power-based sports. But ultra-endurance events are a different story.
Women’s Unique Advantages in Ultra-Endurance
So why do women close the performance gap in ultra-endurance races? It comes down to several interesting physical and mental traits.
- More Fatigue-Resistant Muscles
Women’s muscles tend to get tired more slowly than men’s during long efforts. This may be because women have more “slow-twitch” muscle fibers, which are built for endurance rather than power.
- Better Pacing
Women often pace themselves better in long races. While men may start faster and then fade, women keep a steady speed and sometimes finish stronger. This may be due to better fatigue management or psychological factors like patience and risk control.
- Greater Fat Burning
During long races, the body needs to use both fat and carbohydrates for energy. Women are better at burning fat, which helps preserve precious carbohydrate stores. This helps them go longer without hitting “the wall.”
- Lower Fuel Needs
Because they burn more fat and need less food to keep going, women may be less likely to suffer from stomach issues during long races. Gastrointestinal distress—like bloating or nausea—can ruin performance, and avoiding it is a big advantage.
Challenges Still Facing Female Athletes
Even with these advantages, women face some unique hurdles:
- Stomach problems: Some women still report more stomach trouble during races, especially when eating energy gels or drinks.
- Menstrual cycle impacts: Hormonal changes can affect energy levels and comfort during training and racing.
- Less research: Most sports science studies are done on men, so we know less about how to optimize training and nutrition for women.
Will Women Ever Outperform Men in These Events?
It’s unlikely that women will consistently outperform men in all ultra-endurance sports, but in certain conditions—like long swims or extreme ultra races—the gap is already very small. In some cases, women have already won races outright, beating all male competitors.
The bottom line? Women are incredibly capable in ultra-endurance sports, and with better training, nutrition, and more research focused on female athletes, we may see even more breakthroughs in the future.
Final Thoughts
Ultra-endurance sports are about more than just speed—they’re about strategy, endurance, pacing, and mental toughness. In these areas, women shine. While men may still hold slight physical advantages overall, women are closing the gap fast, and in some ultra-events, they may already be leading the way.