The difference between sexes in physical capability when there is real competition is profound.
In a legitimate race such as the Boston Marathon where milliseconds can decide the winner and second place, the leading male finishes 10-15 MINUTES ahead of the winning female. In 2018 it was close to 20 minutes due to difficult running conditions.
In lower competition, there is always a woman who can potentially outperform a given man, but as you rise to the top of the pyramid (the top 25% competitors of both sexes) women have no shot. It isn’t even close.
Like you, I see this as a silly “girl power” thing, although being a married couple does add humor to it.
The difference between sexes in physical capability when there is real competition is profound.
Not always.
Typically ~10% male time advantage in elite marathoners.
When you get to longer ultras, women have physiological advantages.
Many theories, the leading theory is, women have a higher pain tolerance.
And one simple fact, women are smaller.
Was it the Frank Shorter rule?
ONE KILOGRAM PER INCH!
And women are <10% of ultra participants.
It is thought if female participation increases substantially, the advantage will show at shorter distances; marathon?