women better at ultra distances?

http://www.irunfar.com/2017/02/apples-to-apples-not-oranges.html

I think article provides some perspective on the rise of women in ultrarunning. It’s pretty focused on inequalities in prize money but it does include a section about the percent differences between genders in running sports. The section highlights the idea that women haven’t reached their full potentials in the sport when compared to other running distances. However, it’s easy to say they haven’t reached their potentials but it has most likely been as a result of lack of time in the sport because women couldn’t race marathons officially until the 1960s. In terms of anecdotal evidence, I know Stephanie Howe won Bandera 100K outright and Anish holds multiple long trail records.

When it comes to events or hikes that don’t require continuous maximum effort, I think women are likely in the same ballpark as men. Endurance efforts where speed or climbing aren’t as important. Anish is a good example.  Extremely strong hiker who can sustain big efforts almost indefinitely. However, flamed out on a JMT record attempt and has attempted the Barkley four times and never made it past 2 loops.

and of course Jennifer Pharr Davis

Don’t forget about Ann Transon. She won a number of races outright and was second overall at the Leadville 100 one year. http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a-running-life-ann-trason

Maybe it has something to do with more women taking note and giving it a go.

I am thinking of how certain countries produce an out of proportion amount of athletes in a particular sport simply because it started with one or two champions and then, because of exposure on TV and the pres many , others tried to emulate them.

For example Hungary with water polo, having started with the victory over Russia at the 1956 Olympics.