In part 2 of our series on gender equality in road races we sit down with Canada Running Series CEO and TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon race director Charlotte Brookes. 

After noticing a sharp drop off in female marathon participation post-pandemic, Charlotte and her team at CRS set out to address the decline, with the aim of bringing more gender parity to starting lines across CRS events. At the heart of their initiative has been their "Women's Training Program"  in partnership with Mile2Marathon, offering a free 16-week training plan to all female participants in the marathon and half-marathon events at Toronto Waterfront.

Now in it's second year, the program has seen participation quadruple since it's inception in 2024 and with it a growing community of motivated female participants supporting one another on their journey to the finish line this October 19th. 

Tune in this week to hear more about the work Charlotte and her team at CRS are doing as well as how her own experience as a new mother and runner has given her wider perspective on the needs of female athletes. 

You can find part 1 of our series here. 

Thanks to this week's sponsor Altitude Sports. Shop now at Altitude Sports and enjoy up to 20% off your first order with the promo code “shakeout” Click here to order 👉 https://bit.ly/altitude-shakeout

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You can sign up for the Women's Training program for free by clicking here: https://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/womens-training-program/

For more information on the Toronto-area run clubs supporting TWM's initiatives, as well as TCS Toronto Waterfront's women's training program partners, checkout the links below:

Kardia - https://www.instagram.com/kardiaathletica?igsh=Zjg4NDhraXplYXcz

Chix Run the 6ix - https://www.instagram.com/chixrunthe6ix?igsh=bm50dDUxY2VnNG03

Badass Lady Gang - https://www.instagram.com/badassladygang?igsh=OXExeG8yeGZqeGNx

Hill Run Club - https://www.instagram.com/hillstudiowellness?igsh=aXd4Z3o0ZGdhbTg4

Partners for the program:

https://www.instagram.com/asicscanada?igsh=d3Y5ZzQxbTAxZXc=

https://www.instagram.com/mile2marathon?igsh=MTdmemdsbmZ3dGM1bw==

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