Women Who FKT Project
Calling women in to claim space on the trailsHave you seen how many more men have set Fastest Known Times (FKTs) than women? SPOILER: IT'S A LOT. In 2021, only a third of the FKTs set in the PNW were by women. Of 353 routes established in Oregon and Washington, only 41% have women’s times. LET'S TAKE ACTION AND SHAKE THINGS UP. Let's make 2022 the year that the women set a majority of the FKTs and flip those gendered statistics. This will take a lot of us stepping up to set some times. Marta Fisher has compiled a list of over 100 FKTs in the Pacific Northwest that are ready to run and is pulling together a team of people who identify as women aiming for and setting FKTs. A first FKT is a starting point, you don't need to be crazy fast. Similarly, it's great if you're game for something technical and challenging, but many routes are under 40 miles, with plenty in the 10-20 mile range. Let's team up and set some FKTs.
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In addition to setting pioneering times #womenwhoFKT drive shuttles, pace, coach, cheer and bring snacks. If you don't personally want to set an FKT, join us in supporting other women who do. Your talents are needed and we want to hear from you.
Here's what we have planned:
Important dates:
ALL SUMMER AND FALL
Find a time that works for you to complete your FKT. It's a big window because depending on your route, you might need to work around smoke, fires, family commitments, permit availability, snow, or something else. Be a part of the push this year to #flipthestatistics
October 2022
PARTY! We can’t do all this work without getting together to swap stories! Anyone can attend, but expect the conversation to revolve around FKTs- the awesome ones from this year, the equally awesome ones you are planning for next year. More details to come, but save the date.
When: Nov 6, 3:30 PM
Where: Lucky Labrador Brewing, 1945 NW Quimby St, Portland, OR
ALL SUMMER AND FALL
Find a time that works for you to complete your FKT. It's a big window because depending on your route, you might need to work around smoke, fires, family commitments, permit availability, snow, or something else. Be a part of the push this year to #flipthestatistics
October 2022
PARTY! We can’t do all this work without getting together to swap stories! Anyone can attend, but expect the conversation to revolve around FKTs- the awesome ones from this year, the equally awesome ones you are planning for next year. More details to come, but save the date.
When: Nov 6, 3:30 PM
Where: Lucky Labrador Brewing, 1945 NW Quimby St, Portland, OR
A few details.
- Get on the email list! We'll be hosting Zoom trainings about the technical points of finding, researching and setting FKTs and other topics as requested. We hope to schedule some informal get togethers and hopefully some social events as the Covid situation allows. If you're on the list, you'll be kept in the loop.
- Dates are to keep people on track, but if you need to set your FKT outside of those dates, a-ok. We can still help with tracking and logistics.
- #womenwhoFKT can help with listing your FKT to the official website.
- Put your best effort into your FKT, because that will make it easier to brag about. But that doesn’t mean that every FKT has to set the world on fire. If someone beats your time in a week, or a month, or a year, that means that you inspired them. And that’s pretty cool.
- Not in OR or WA but want to participate? Join our email list or contact us directly. Let's start a conversation on how we can amplify and support this effort in other places.
- Never set an FKT? Start by looking over the FKT guidelines and browsing the preapproved routes.
- Please share this site and use the hashtags #womenwhoFKT #flipthestatistics.