Ultra running—a race longer than the 26.2 miles of a marathon—isn’t just about physical endurance. It’s about resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to keep going even when the path ahead is uncertain. That’s exactly the kind of leadership Rachel Bambrick found herself stepping into when she started Women in Ultrarunning.

When she started the group, Rachel put on a series of local events to introduce more women to the sport. But after a few events, something unexpected happened—women kept coming back, asking about shirts, logos, and how they could stay connected beyond in-person events.

Without planning for it, Rachel found herself leading a community.

Breaking barriers: creating space for women in ultra running

Rachel had been ultra running for about six years, including completing the Run Across Haiti, when she realized just how well female ultra runners perform in the sport. Unlike other running distances, ultra running provides a level playing field where women can win outright. Yet, despite this, female participation remains at just 20-30%.

She knew she could help change that by creating a space where women felt encouraged, educated, and supported—ultimately giving them the confidence to show up at races.

“The group was designed to give women the tools to know there will be folks who look and feel like them at those races,” she said.

Regardless of experience level, fostering a sense of belonging was key.

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Scaling community through Heylo’s topic chats

Rachel initially used Heylo for event registrations, but it soon became clear that the platform was fueling something much bigger. “When we go on the Heylo group, there are folks from all across the country in the different chats discussing things about women and ultra running.”

Heylo’s topic-based chats created an ongoing conversation space that kept members engaged beyond scheduled events. What started as a way to organize in-person runs became the foundation for a thriving national network of female ultra runners.

“We have folks connecting and learning, and asking questions like, ‘how does everyone wash their running vest? Or I want to try this new nutrition. Has anyone heard of it?’ Having that ability o have those conversations is really helpful to feel like you are connected and you have this community, even if you might not have one locally just yet.”

The conversations became a flywheel—every new question sparked another, strengthening relationships and deepening engagement across regions.

The results: a thriving nationwide network for female ultra runners

Heylo transformed Women in Ultrarunning from a local gathering into an active, national community of female ultra runners. The group’s chat topics range from mental strategies to gear recommendations, and members use the platform daily to share knowledge and support.

“We plug Heylo a lot and emphasize the importance of it,” Rachel said. “Especially when we get DMs on Instagram about how to find when we’re running or more information. I always tell people to go over to Heylo.”

“Instagram is nice—you can see the pictures,” she adds. “You can connect with us in a more transient way. But you get that closer connection on Heylo.”

With this strong foundation of communication and connection, Women in Ultrarunning naturally evolved into a national organization.

Building the future: Nonprofit status and regional chapters for female ultra runners

Rachel is in the process of formalizing Women in Ultrarunning’s current nonprofit status to become a 501c3 nonprofit and is expanding into regional chapters in Montana and Colorado. As the community continues to grow, she is focused on creating a structured foundation that ensures long-term sustainability and access for more women who want to enter the sport.

For any group leader looking to scale their community, Rachel emphasizes the importance of being ready for growth and the opportunities that come with it. Just like finishing an ultra, the path may be uncertain, but the key is to keep moving forward.

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