Early bird discount For ENTRIES BEFORE 1 FEBRUARY 2027!
In 1967, Jock Semple attempted to forcefully remove Kathrine Switzer from the Boston Marathon simply for being a woman. Kathrine finished the marathon and went on to advocate for women's participation in sport, including contributing to the inclusion of the Women's Marathon in the 1984 Olympics.
In 2017, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kathrine’s Boston achievement a women only marathon was held in the East Devon village of Tipton St John, starting and finishing on the village playing field, which was also marking its 50th anniversary.
Local resident and runner Jo Earlam came up with the idea, sharing it first with doubtful husband John who said: “You’ll only get half a dozen women along to that!” The reaction from close friends and women’s running coaches Pauline Beare and Peg Wiseman was more positive and 400 women from across the globe signed up for the first Women Can, with two further successful events held in 2018 and 2019.
For the 2027 event a new organising team is in place, Paula Ferris as race director, Adrian Harris as race administrator. Other members of the team include Samatha Miller, Amanda McCann, Bernie Rhodes, Jane Hemsworth and Helen Palmer... and of course Jo is still with us providing support.
