Equality, Diversity And Inclusion Policy

Introduction

Ourea Events are committed to ensuring that the events they organise are equally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, disability, gender, ethnicity, sexuality or social/economic status.

We ensure that we comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the characteristics protected by it (age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity).

Participation in trail and mountain running events means challenging yourself, achieving big objectives, exploring new places, meeting like-minded people and enjoying the natural world. These activities are all key to feelings of self-worth, confidence, life satisfaction and mental well-being. At Ourea Events we believe that these experiences should be equally accessible and enjoyed by all.

Connecting those with a love of trail running ©Tanya Raab

INTRODUCTION

Low participation in trail, mountain and ultrarunning events from certain sectors of society - such as women and ethnically diverse communities - has been a widely commented on topic in recent years as the popularity of such events has grown.

According to the American Trail Running Association, under-represented groups include “women, various racial and socio-economic groups, youth, LGBTQ+ and intersex runners, and blind and adaptive runners.”

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

There are many reasons why particular groups are under-represented including lack of information, lack of confidence, lack of support, insufficient role models, financial costs, pregnancy or motherhood.

Whilst some of these barriers to participation are out of our control as race organisers, others are not. And we believe that we are in a position of leadership with our high-profile races to help lead the drive for greater diversity.

We strive to provide event coverage showcasing a wide range of people and stories ©No Limits Photography

OUR COMMITMENTS

Increasing Women’s Participation

As part of our commitment to reducing the barriers to women participating in our races, we actively follow the SheRACES guidelines that have been created specifically for race directors and organisations to support women athletes.

We have started to publish women’s participation statistics openly as well as communicating to our audiences what we at Ourea Events do proactively to help to encourage more women to enter our races.

Overall across events, our women’s participation statistics are low but comparable to those cited in the industry (e.g. ITRA and FRA). Moreover, given the nature of the races that we organise – challenging mountainous, technical terrain and multi-day events – these will all be contributing factors to why uptake from women can be low.

Over the past few years we have been implementing changes to encourage greater participation but we acknowledge that we still have a way to go. You can read more about how we have worked to overcome some of the barriers facing women HERE.

By reporting our statistics, we feel this is important - organisations need to be transparent and set a baseline in order to measure progress.

More details of the guidelines and specific measures that we follow and implement can be found below.

Examples of women’s participation on Ourea Events races:

Holly Wootten at the 2025 Dragon’s Back Race - finishing 2nd overall with second man Ed Brewer ©No Limits Photography

Ethnic Diversity of Our Events

At Ourea Events it is important that we are also proactively looking to increase participation from ethnically diverse communities. Whilst we have seen a big increase in the growth and popularity of trail running, this has not been proportional across all communities.

According to the 2021 Census, British Asian and Black British people make up 8.6% and 3.71% respectively. However in trail running, fewer than 1% of UK trail race entrants are Black [source. Black Trail Runners].

Given the location of our races and their challenging nature and difficulty i.e again multi-day mountainous and technical races; this can act to exacerbate the differences seen between white and non-white participants on our races.

Examples of ethnic diversity on Ourea Events races:

Key:

White – White English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British, White Irish, Other White Background

White Mixed – White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean

Non-White – African, Arab, Bangladeshi, Caribbean, Chinese, Gypsy or Irish Traveller, Indian, Other Asian Background, Other Black/African/Caribbean Background, Other Ethnic Group, Other Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Background, Pakistani

Note: Data based on 2025 (Northern Traverse – including Lakes Traverse, Dales Traverse, Moors Traverse; Cape Wrath Ultra, Dragon’s Back Race) and 2024 (Kendal Trail Run, Kendal Skyline Ultra)

Specific measures to increase diversity at our races:

Data Capture and Reporting

Collect and share data
We collect data from active participants and share information on participation from under-represented groups in the post event reports for each event. This will help us to better understand the current situation on diversity and contribute statistics to help the wider running community to understand the key issues.
Post Event Report
We plan to share our progress on this policy with our participants, event team members and stakeholders via an annual report and our Event Director’s Report post event.

Event Marketing and Promotion

Inclusive Imagery
To make individuals from under-represented groups feel welcome, a range of imagery and content will be used across our marketing. This includes elites and those at the front, to the mid and back runners, including people of all ages, sizes, shapes and colours.
Showcase a variety of voices and experiences
This applies to everything from photo, film, social media, blog posts and news stories. These are all used to tell story of the event and can therefore have a powerful impact on our audiences.
Amplify voices and showcase great role models
The goal will be to make participation from under-represented groups more visible and therefore offer great role models and inspiration but also emphasis the value of participation from any type of runner.

Equal Event Experience

Pregnancy, IVF and Adoption deferral policy
Our pregnancy, IVF and adoption deferral policy allows women who become pregnant or who are undergoing In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment, or parents who are adopting children, to defer their entry.
This policy also applies to their partners. Partners will be required to present proof of relationship or residence with the woman who is pregnant.
1. Eligibility:
  - Pregnancy: Women who becomes pregnant is known between entering and race day.
  - The partner of a woman who becomes pregnant, with a due date less than 3 months before and no more than 3 months after race day.
  - IVF treatment: Women that commence IVF treatment between entering and race day.
  - Adoption: Parents who are adopting children under 5 years old with an adoption date confirmed after entering, and which falls before race day
2. Process: Submit a pregnancy, IVF or adoption deferral request in writing via the event website contact page any time after entry and up to one day before race day. Provide official written confirmation of your eligibility, for example:
  - Pregnancy: Written confirmation signed by a doctor, registered midwife, or another medical professional, such as a Maternity Certificate (MAT B1).
  - Partner of a woman who is pregnant: Written confirmation of proof of relationship or residence (e.g. joint bill)
  - IVF treatment: Written confirmation signed by a medical professional of IVF treatment
  - Adoption: Written documentation supporting the adoption
3. Deferral terms:
  - Pregnancy: Deferred automatic entry into the same race, valid for up to three years from the initial race date.
  - Partner of a woman who is pregnant: Deferred automatic entry into the same race, valid for up to one year from the initial race date.
  - IVF treatment: Deferred automatic entry into the same race, valid for up to one year from the initial race date.
  - Adoption: Deferred automatic entry into the same race, valid for up to one year from the initial race date.

In all cases, participants will not have to pay any additional entry fee should the price of a race entry increase during this time.

Our deferral policies are meant to support and increase opportunities for women and parents. If you have any questions or suggestions or would like a friendly conversation about our policy, please get in touch. We’ll always be happy to help.

Runners with special circumstances
We welcome runners with a variety of different circumstances and needs to our events. We have guidance in place that supports runners whether this relates to physical or medical disabilities.
This could include examples such as transporting food for people on restricted diets for medical reasons, transporting medication for other illness or transporting limbs or medical kit for runners with prosthetic limbs.
If you are a blind runner or an adaptive athlete and may require additional assistance such as a guide runner , please also contact us to discuss further how we are able to help.

Women’s Specific Kit
All event kit and merchandise will be offered with the option of women specific sizing, therefore avoiding unisex sizes which undoubtably will be too large for many women runners. Any future kit guidance videos or articles will be produced from both a men’s and women’s perspective.
Toilet and changing facilities including Menstrual Products
If we provide more than one portable toilet, then we will always provide a women-only toilet.
- We will always provide an appropriate pro-rata number of women-only portable toilets at all our overnight camps and start/finish locations.
- Women-only toilets will be clearly labelled as such, and the use of women-only facilities by men is not allowed.
- There will be a number of women-only portable toilets at all of our overnight events, where we will make available a selection of menstrual products.

Consideration to different cultures, beliefs or personal circumstances
Breastfeeding Zones
We will accommodate specific breastfeeding requirements so long as they do not compromise the event's logistical and safety plan, and do not provide any additional support to the breastfeeding participant. We would encourage women who are breastfeeding to contact us at the earliest opportunity so that we can consider how to accommodate their breastfeeding needs.
Faith Zones
We would like to encourage participants from different faiths and cultures to contact us ahead of the event to discuss any considerations that we may be able to help with on the race or improve their event experience. For example, a faith zone, where anyone of any religion can use whilst on event. We will do our best to accommodate this wherever possible and where our operations and logistics permit this.
Vegetarian and Vegan Food

All event food and catering provided to the event team and to participants are Vegetarian or Vegan.
Safeguarding – Event Team and Participant Safeguarding
We are committed to raising awareness of safeguarding issues and how we implement procedures to minimise risk at our events. By highlighting some of the common complaints by women and under-represented groups, we hope to raise awareness of what constitutes inappropriate behaviour. You can read more about our safeguarding practices HERE
Start Lines
On our ultrarunning multi-day events, starts are mainly staggered, whereas at other events such as Skyline Scotland® they are exciting, closely-watched and highly-photographed moments. To make our start lines, and the resulting photography, more gender equal, we will look to invite women athletes to the front of the field. We believe that this will give great value to, and really showcase, the women’s race and experience as well as giving them room to race.
Results, Podium and Equal Prize Money
We will display male and female results separately, side by side where systems allow. We offer equal podium spots and prizes to male and female participants in all events.
Course Closure and Cut-Off Times
Not to make courses artificially more difficult than necessary because of harsh Cut-Off and Course Closure Times. Cut-Off and Course Closure Times are driven by logistical and safety planning factors.

Proactive Outreach to Under-represented Groups

Working with Partner Organisations
We work with a number of partner organisations such as Into Ultra, She RACES and Black Trail Runners. We believe that the long term success for any race organisation and event relies on attracting a wide diverse audience of runners. In working collaboratively with organisations such as these, it enables us to understand more fully the barriers facing that particular community and the initiatives to help to remove these.
By inviting runners in these groups to our events, we believe it helps to educate other runners, build awareness and provide role models within certain communities.
Event Team Credit
No matter your financial circumstances, Ourea Events offers an opportunity for anyone to participate - by earning credit towards a future race entry through volunteering.

Find out more about our event team volunteering

SPECIFIC MEASURES FOR TRANSGENDER PARTICIPATION

Ourea Events welcomes participation from transgender runners – who will be treated with the same level of respect as any other participant. As a race organisation, we are committed to ensuring that the events we organise are equally accessible to all members of society, irrespective of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, sexuality, or socio-economic status.

We actively encourage any transgender runners to contact us directly, ahead of their event, to discuss any specific requirements, concerns, or questions they may have to help facilitate their participation at the event.

The debate about transgender participation in sports is nuanced, complex, and often heated. Ourea Events does not have a role in the governance or management of sporting regulation, and we do not possess the experience or expertise to address or adjudicate matters relating to an individual’s sex or gender identity; therefore, we cannot arbitrate on this issue. Instead, we accept the regulations, advice, and/or guidance provided by the government and national bodies and implement this at our events.

At this point, it would be helpful to clearly define what we mean by transgender, as research shows this term is often misunderstood.

“Transgender” means a person whose gender identity is different from their biological sex (whether they are pre- or post-puberty and whether or not they have undergone any form of medical intervention). A “transgender man” is a person whose biological sex is female and whose gender identity is male, and a “transgender woman” is a person whose biological sex is male and whose gender identity is female.

There are different regulations for athletes with Differences in Sex Development (DSD) outside the scope of this policy.

The UK Supreme Court ruling on 16th April 2025 clarified that the definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010 should be understood as ‘biological’ sex only. This indicates that a person’s legal sex is the one recorded at their birth for all matters related to the Equality Act 2010. According to the ruling, obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) does not alter your legal sex for purposes under the Equality Act.

Our position is that we will continue to follow UK law and the guidance from Moving to Inclusion (the UK’s Sports Councils Equality Group representing UK Sport, Sport England, Sport Wales, Sport Scotland and Sport Northern Ireland), and UK Athletics.

The UK's Sports Councils Guidance for Transgender Inclusion in Domestic Sport policy states that, ‘Categorisation within the sex binary is and remains the most useful and functional division relative to sporting performance’ and ‘Competitive fairness cannot be reconciled with self-identification into the female category in gender affected sport’.
First and most importantly, transgender participants are welcome at any of our events, and we are happy to discuss any concerns or questions transgender participants may have on a one-to-one basis. We want to balance protecting the integrity of the female category, with an inclusive approach to participation. Therefore:
1.      Transgender men (who are biological females) can participate in the male category.
2.     Transgender women (who are biological males) can participate in the female category as ‘Non-Competitive’ participants.
A Non-Competitive participant is listed in the results in overall time order but has an N/C designation displayed by their result, and they do not get an overall position (i.e., 10th), and they would be ineligible for an overall result or prize. There are multiple reasons why a participant may get an N/C designation in the results unrelated to gender identity.
When you enter any of our events, you’ll need to complete a two-step process confirming the following:
·       Sex at Birth: Male or Female (this is a fact)
·       Results Category: Male, Female or Non-Binary (this is a choice)
If you select ’sex at birth, male’ and then the 'female’ results category, you’ll be automatically non-competitive and considered to be a transgender woman.
If you select ’sex at birth, female’ and the 'male’ results category, you’ll remain competitive within the results and will be considered to be a transgender male.
In either case, there will be no designation within publicly available results identifying the individual as transgender.
Regardless of which ’sex at birth’ option you choose, if you then select ’non-binary', you will be included in the non-binary results. The non-binary results rank participants by position based on their time but do not distinguish between male and female sex. There are no prizes in the non-binary category, and this entire category is essentially considered non-competitive.
We place our trust in the honesty and goodwill of all participants to be transparent with us if they wish to participate as transgender runners, especially when choosing their sex at birth and result category at the point of entry.
Across our events, the majority of our toilet facilities are usually provided by individual portable toilets.

Where we provide portable toilets at significant venues, such as the Event Centre or Overnight Camp (usually where the start and/or finish is located), we will have three available toilet options:

·       Female-only and/or women-only toilets with period products
·       Non-gendered toilets with period products
·       Non-gendered toilets with no period products

At Support Points and other remote locations, where space and access allow, we will provide two toilets, both of which will be non-gendered and stocked with period products.

In the rare cases where they exist, access to female-only and/or women-only facilities (e.g. changing rooms and showers) will be restricted to biological females. We are happy to provide separate facilities for transgender people wherever possible. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us in advance to discuss this.

At the Dragon’s Back Race and the Cape Wrath Ultra, we provide communal tents for participants at the Overnight Camps. At the Northern Traverse, we offer communal tents to participants at some aid stations. These are split into male, female and mixed-sex tents. Because these facilities are defined by sex, and under UK Law, we restrict access to female (or women’s) tents to biological females only. We ask that Transgender participants opt for the mixed-sex tents. Typically, communal tents have four two-person sleeping pods. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us in advance so that we can discuss an equitable way to accommodate a transgender participant.

ELIMINATING DISCRIMINATION

Ourea Events is committed to confronting and eliminating discrimination by reason of any protected characteristic including age, disability, race, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We are committed to a policy of equal treatment of all participants and event team members. We require that everyone involved in our events abide to these policies and the requirements of the relevant equalities legislation: Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as well as any amendment to these acts).

In the event that any participant or event team member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way - or that the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy of Ourea Events has been broken - then they should report it directly to the Ourea Events office team.

SOMETHING MISSING?

If there is something missing from this policy, we would encourage you to contact us directly. We would be delighted to hear your thoughts and discuss any needs or requirements that you may have in order to facilitate inclusion. We will always consider what reasonable adjustments we could make to enable participation in our events.

get in touch

CONCLUSION

We look forward to supporting and encouraging participation from underrepresented groups by following through on the commitments shared here. It is clear that an event full of diversity in participation will only bring more benefits to all involved; as people from different backgrounds come together to share stories and experiences, in turn gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of one another.