Don't call them Athena

Posted on 05/14/2007 at 06:35:44 PM by David Patt

"Male" and "Female" are the appropriate titles to use when establishing Clydesdale weight divisions in your race.  Changing "Female" to "Athena," or another allegedly attractive name, will not induce women to participate.  There is no way to disguise the weight requirement of this competition.  Women who don't want to advertise their weight (men don't seem to mind) will shun the divisions no matter what they are called.

Some years ago, Chicago Area Runners Association toyed with the idea of renaming "Female" and "Male" to "Bonnies" and "Clydes," which would have maintained gender equity by giving new monikers to both sexes.  The plan was dumped when one female Clydesdale runner insisted she was, "no gangster's white trash bimbo."

RunBig, the national organization for Clydesdale competition, offers advice on how and why to establish weight divisions for your race.  The Fifth Third River Bank Run, in Grand Rapids MI, and The Race That's Good for Life, in Oak Park IL, are among the many races offering Clydesdale divisions.

The Clydesdale Circuit of the Chicago Area Runners Association provides an excellent model for running clubs to follow.

Whatever you do, don't be cutesy, insulting, or sexist.  Clydesdale runners know it's all about weight.  For many, it's an opportunity to win awards that would normally be beyond reach.

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