The work for more women on the track continues

Among participants in Vasaloppet’s various races in 2023, both winter and summer, the proportion of women was 34.4 percent. In 2022, the corresponding proportion was 32.5 percent.

The percentage of women in Vasaloppet 2024 is 23 percent, compared to 18.4 percent in 2023.

”We are pleased that things are moving in the right direction, and at the same time we want to see many more women on the track in the coming years. This is a long-term effort for increased gender equality, and we have only just begun,” notes Lena Hermansson, who coordinates and leads the initiative at Vasaloppet.

Every finish line is a victory

The distribution between men and women varies among the different races that Vasaloppet offers. Generally, the shorter distances have a more even distribution than the longer races, where men are in a majority.

”Women should, of course, choose to participate in the races they feel comfortable with, and we see every finish line as a victory; we don’t place a value judgment on whether the distance is long or short. Our continuing work is aimed at making more women feel that all races, including Cykelvasan 90 and Vasaloppet, are for everyone,” explains Lena Hermansson.

Vasaloppet inspires

Before the start of ”More women on the track,” Vasaloppet called for participants to join a development group. There was significant interest and out of over 400 applications, 15 participants were eventually selected.

Since October 2022, the development group has had several physical and digital meetings, with numerous and extensive discussions.

”These women are fantastic and contribute a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and good ideas. Getting their perspectives on our races and events is truly invaluable,” says Lena.

In consultation with the development group, Vasaloppet has implemented about thirty activities and changes in the past year. Some examples include inspirational and training sessions for women, a shared number bib series for both women and men in Vasaloppet, the option to choose a women’s start group in Cykelvasan 90 and Cykelvasan Öppet Spår, dedicated portable toilets with free menstrual products, and updated seeding rules for women who take a break from competing due to pregnancy.

”The most noticed so far are probably the red portable toilets and free menstrual products. We also seem to have inspired other organizers to make similar changes, which feels good,” says Lena.

In 2024, Vasaloppet plans more measures to contribute to increasing the proportion of female participants.

”We do it both on a small and large scale. It can involve everything from highlighting more women in our communications to increasing safety in the cycling races. Many of these measures are not only positive for women but for all participants,” says Lena.

Train and feel good

Afaf Radhison from Söderhamn is one of the members of the development group. In everyday life, she works at RF-SISU (Swedish Sports Confederation and SISU Sports Educators), primarily inspiring foreign-born women to exercise and improve their health.

”Today, 20 percent of Sweden’s population was born in another country, but unfortunately, this is not visible in the major Swedish recreational races,” she says.

Afaf believes that recreational races are important because they motivate year-round training, something that improves health and can lead to further involvement in sports clubs and activities.

”Sports clubs are such a big part of Swedish culture, and I want more foreign-born people to understand that, and at the same time, clubs must understand what an asset people with a foreign background can be.”

In March, Afaf was a highly appreciated speaker at Vasaloppet’s ceremonial festivities, and she is also involved in the volunteer group ”Vasan för Margit,” which works to increase the proportion of women in Vasaloppet.

”I am really passionate about these issues, and being part of Vasaloppet’s development is incredibly inspiring. We have come a long way, but we’re not satisfied yet! We will continue to work for more women to experience how wonderful it is to train and participate in races.”

The figure for the proportion of women in Vasaloppet 2024 is preliminary and may be influenced by factors such as group bookings and second-hand sales of start positions.

More on more women on the track (Swedish) >
Afaf Radhison, Vasaloppet’s ceremonial speaker 2023 (Vasaloppet.TV)