Different approaches

Andrea Kooiman, another participant from the US in the same race, said that the reasons women run can differ somewhat from those of men.

She noted that women often balance a multitude of responsibilities, from managing household chores and raising children to building their careers. Yet, when she laces up her running shoes, it's her personal time — a choice to prioritize self-care, which ultimately makes her a better mother, wife and professional.

This was her second time participating in the Mt Gaoligong Ultra, and she described it as "like coming home".

Over the past decade, she has completed over 100 standard marathons and more than 50 ultramarathons, including the inaugural Gaoligong race in 2016, the Badwater Ultramarathon and the Tahoe 200 Endurance Run, a 321.8km race around the largest alpine lake in North America.

"My hidden advantage lies in my inner strength. Over the centuries, women have encountered numerous challenges, from our unique biology, to the way we've been treated in society. Now, I can compete on equal footing with both male and female athletes. When the going gets tough, I tap into my innate female energy to keep pushing forward," she said.

She aims to inspire women to dream big and believe that anything is possible, using herself as an example.

Kooiman started her running journey in 2005 at the age of 30, during a period when she frequently grappled with anxiety and depression as she balanced work and family duties.

In 2005, she confided in a female co-worker, an ultramarathon runner, about her dream of running a marathon someday. The co-worker offered to train her, and by 2006, Kooiman had completed her first marathon.

Unsatisfied with just one marathon, she continuously sought new races to conquer. Each finish line marked the start of her next challenge, as long-distance running became her ultimate weapon in the fight against depression and life's chaos.

Having found inner peace through running, Kooiman started thinking about how she could share this experience with teenagers. In 2010, she co-founded WeROCK, a nonprofit that operates as an after-school program for middle — and high-school students, with a focus on endurance running. "The kids I coach often discover their own strength through marathon training. They tell me: 'If I can run a marathon, I can do anything,' because it teaches them to fight through things," she said.