The Path She Runs: A personal history of women's ultrarunning

by Jen Benson

The longer the distance run, the more women have an edge over their male competitors. Yet, the longer the distance, the less likely women are to start the race.

In this incredible and personal account, established running journalist Jen Benson looks at the science, hidden history, and what it takes to run an ultramarathon - unveiling why women are so well adapted for endurance sports.

Detailing her own account of completing her first 100-mile ultramarathon, Jen brings to the fore the harshness, humour, and personal sacrifice of ultra-running. Interweaved with this are unprecedented interviews with some of the greatest ultra-women of the past 40 years, including Jasmin Paris, who triumphed in a 268-mile winter Spine Race despite stopping to express milk for her baby, and Eleanor Adams, the first woman to complete a 153-mile Spartathon ultramarathon despite opposition from male organisers.

A testament to the feats of women that challenge the very limits of human capability, this is the remarkable sporting history of extreme performance hitherto untold.

320 pages, Paperback

Published July 17, 2025

Reviews

[Jan Geerling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook during my runs. The beginning is exhausting because it’s probably not written to be listened to as an audiobook. Percentages, fact dropping and a bit dry. Later, when she starts talking about her own training for a big race, it gets more interesting. Unfortunately the first part of the book seems in dire need of an edit. It switches between her current training, her past, talking about other runners, and what it means to be a woman in ultra running. The story doesn’t flow because of the constant switching.

What saves the book is the writer, she comes off as a genuinely cool person. No humble bragging or self promotion here. I can imagine that this book offers something different if you are a woman and can connect more to the content. I also love that she delves into the importance of mindset. Running an ultra is physically challenging, but the psychology involved is often underestimated. The part where she runs her 100 miler is easily the best part of the book.

[Amy Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

God this book was inspiring, I lost myself in this book! The parts that were so powerful were about the obstacles female runners have faced to be able to be where we are now in the running world. I am no ultramarathon runner but I am a runner and to hear her journey, especially her mental journey, felt like it was speaking to me in so many ways. Her strength and vulnerability in this book is utterly courageous.

[Claire Milne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this really inspiring and honest. I loved the fact Jen's family were always at the forefront when she was preparing for her challenge and the companionship her and her husband have. I enjoyed the reference to other runners and their books (some already purchased) and I appreciated the way Jen highlighted the struggles women face in any sport and in say to say life. I am only registered for a 10km and, never having done this distance before, I am worried I won't manage but this has given me the knowledge to know I can.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book, reads by the author. I thought it was very good. I enjoyed the interweaving of the authors quest to run 100 miles, alongside the history and issues facing female ultra runners. I thought it worked well. There’s an odd skip in the audio book that goes from a practice running in mountains, with a later regret of not using sun cream to a post race reflection, that I don’t know if this was an issue with the audio book?

The book was inspiring and interesting I really enjoyed it. Perfect to listening to on long runs. :-)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.25 I really liked how the author mixed sections following her 100 Miler journey with details of other female ultra runners through history. It's a story of the women who helped pave the way for Benson and how she used what she learnt from them to help her achieve her goal of running such an epic distance.

[Nia Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for the way that it captured ultrarunning in the real way many people experience it. The scientific background was seamlessly blended with human stories of endurance.
I felt so many of the feelings that Jen, and others in the book, so it was a comfort to read.
I didn’t need a nudge, but this has given me everything I need to sign up for 100.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled my heart with warmth, an excellent mix of the history of ultra running, the challenges that women face in doing the sport and a demonstration of perseverance as Jen ventures into running her first 100.

[Suzy Trott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting about how well women are suited to ultra running. Loved the way Jen Benson wrote about not just running and racing from a women’s perspective but dealing with a man’s world and the ingrained behaviour. Really inspirational and informative.

[Herms Townsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not just inspiring but also beautifully written and totally honest. The author did a fantastic job of weaving the history of women’s ultra running, advice from current pros, and her own impressive but relatable story. Enough to make you consider an ultra!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody loved this. Obsessed. When I grow up I want to be a 100 mile untra runner!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed following Jen’s journey of training for 100 mile race. She really spoke to me, echoing my own struggles and fears and insecurities. A really inspiring read.

[Doug McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read

Fascinating & inspiring - chapeau to all ultra runners.
I really enjoyed this excellent book and found it very interesting

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting an current (2024) account of the history and recent events in the world of women's ultra-running.
Jen Benson's personal goal was to run a 100 mile mountain race and she uses her story with all its disappointments and successes to underpin her broader account of this sport. (Richard Askwith does the same thing in 'Feet in the Clouds and it's a useful device otherwise you end up with a boring chronological list of events rather than an engaging tale.) Bottom line is once you get into 200+ miles women can compete with and often beat men on equal terms.
Despite clearly being an awesome runner, Benson seems to lack self-confidence and, by her own admission, this held her back and delayed the achievement of her goal.
Nice book - I enjoyed it.

[Steve Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jen Benson covers both the history of women ultrarunning and her own attempt to run a 100-mile ultra. I preferred the stories of the early pioneer women to her own progress to the start line. She does bravely overcome a range of challenges on the way which are well described, with scientific reasoning behind her choices.