Brownlee Centre in Leeds to host inaugural female only race for International Women’s Day

The 5k event - along with a one mile fun run - will be raising funds for two charities: the Gift Wellness Foundation, which is tackling period poverty in the UK and abroad, and the Forgotten Women’s Safe Toilets project.

IWD 5K is the brainchild of Lynn Taylor, founder and director of Keighley’s RaceBest, a ticketing platform for endurance sports. The not-for-profit race, which has a route for women and girls of all ages and abilities, is being organised by an all-female team including members of the South Leeds Sisters and the Women’s Equality Party. Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, the Women’s Equality Party candidate for Roundhay, will start the race.

Lynn, 54, was inspired to establish a female-only race after noticing that certain races were less popular with women than men. She believes that some women can be intimidated by the competitive atmosphere and wanted to create a race where females feel more comfortable and that is purely for them.

Lynn said: “Most runners are familiar with the long toilet queues at running events, but in some countries using the toilet can become a matter of life and death for women and children.

“This event will help to make a genuine difference and will be a fitting way to celebrate International Women’s Day here in Leeds.”

The fun run for all ages starts at 3pm and the IWD 5K for ages 11 plus will start at 3.30pm on the Brownlee cycle circuit at Bodington Playing Fields. Visit racebest.com/races/iw5k.