Ultra Women
Stories of Unstoppable Female Power
$27.50
- Paperback
272 pages
- Release Date
14 May 2026
Summary
WINNER CHARLES TYRWHITT SPORTS BOOK AWARD 2026 SHORTLISTED WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025 SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE TIMES AND THE GUARDIAN
‘A masterful work that will challenge your views on the physical capabilities of all women’ – Sue Anstiss, author
What happens when women run beyond the marathon—and refuse to stop? Ultra Women is a gripping, behind-the-scenes journey into the high-stakes world of f…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781914487927 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1914487923 |
| Author: | Lily Canter, Emma Wilkinson |
| Publisher: | Canbury Press |
| Imprint: | Canbury |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 272 |
| Release Date: | 14 May 2026 |
| Weight: | 330g |
| Dimensions: | 23mm x 129mm x 198mm |
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Critics Review
Why do women sometimes manage to beat men in ultramarathon races? Why does the gender performance gap begin to shrink with longer distances? Spoiler alert: we don’t know for sure. But Ultra Women is as close as we’re getting for now: a meticulous and occasionally startling study of how modern sport is still shaped by a male perspective, from media coverage to bra design to scientific research. Most of all, though, it’s a celebration of female bodies, female pioneers and female endurance. – Jonathan Liew, Guardian Sports Book of the Year
This absorbing book, shortlisted for the 2025 William Hill sports book of the year, combines history, reportage, science and polemic. Most enjoyable of all are the mini-biographies of endurance athletes, such as the British fell-running champion Jasmin Paris, who can “push on and endure” like few others. – Jason Cowley. Sports Books of the Year, The Times
For a long time, I’ve wanted to understand why women are having such success in ultra distances and this book did a superb job of explaining it all. It was a joy to read from start to finish, beautifully written and incredibly engaging. A masterful work that will challenge your views on the physical capabilities of all women. The must-read sports book of 2025. – Sue Anstiss, author of Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport
Phenomenal. The first time these iconic stories have been brought together in one book, really helping us to understand the history of women’s endurance sport and what it means about the strength of women and our ability to do incredible things despite the barriers that have been put in our way – Sophie Power, ultrarunner Ultra Women is an important and timely re-examination of the role and performance of women in endurance sport, through history, through science and through some incredible and inspiring stories. I was gripped, amazed – and most importantly – enlightened. – Adharanand Finn, author of Running with the Kenyans This is the book we’ve been waiting for. A timely acknowledgement of the challenges faced by women in the world of ultra events and a celebration of their trailblazing, record-breaking successes. It will change your perspective on what endurance means. – Helen Mort, runner and author, A Line Above the Sky A fascinating exploration of female ultra-distance sporting achievement – and a fitting tribute to those pioneers who blazed a trail for us all to follow. Jasmin Paris, ultrarunner A triumph! A page-turning tribute to female ultra-runners everywhere. Move over Born to Run – this insight into the world of the world’s toughest races and the incredible women who run them is spine-tingling stuff. Lisa Jackson, author Your Pace or Mine? A fascinating look at the stories and science of female endurance….celebratory and inspirational. I’m signing up for my next ultra right now! – Jackie Kabler, author and book club founder A nuanced look at a complex topic, showing that there is nothing that can predict what an individual is capable of in ultras. Our potential is not defined by our sex – as many ultra women have shown in recent years. – John Kelly, multiple Barkley Marathons finisher A captivating insight into a fascinating subject which celebrates the exceptional power of female endurance. – Damian Hall, Spine Race winner, ultra marathon coach and author of We Can’t Run Away From This
Lily Canter
Lily Canter is a freelance running, fitness and adventure travel journalist in the UK writing for the Guardian, Runner’s World, and Women’s Health. She is an England Athletics running coach and the founder of a women-only club, Great Bowden Runners. She competes in ultra marathons.
Emma Wilkinson is an award-winning freelance journalist in the UK specialising in medicine, science and health. She has written for the Sunday Times, BBC, BMJ and Lancet, among others. She lives in northern England and runs up big hills for fun.
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