Team Milk has announced that Every Woman's Marathon, the first national marathon designed for women by women, is expanding to New Orleans on February 28, 2027.
This marks the third edition of the groundbreaking event, following successful inaugural races in Savannah, Georgia in 2024 and Scottsdale, Arizona in 2025.
About Every Woman's Marathon
Every Woman's Marathon represents a paradigm shift in how marathons address the specific needs and experiences of female runners. The event is supported by an advisory board of legendary female athletes, including Kathrine Switzer—the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967—along with two-time U.S.
Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden, three-time Olympian and 2004 bronze medalist Deena Kastor, activist and author Alison Mariella Désir, and adaptive athlete Danielle McLaughlin, a former paratriathlon world champion.
The inaugural 2024 event in Savannah drew overwhelming participation, with over 7,000 women from all 50 states registering to run the full 26.2 miles. Remarkably, 43 percent of participants were first-time marathoners, demonstrating the event's success in welcoming runners of varying experience levels.
The race sold out by July 31, 2024—a remarkable achievement that highlighted the pent-up demand for a marathon explicitly designed with women's needs in mind.
Design Philosophy and Inclusivity
Every Woman's Marathon was created in direct response to documented unmet needs in women's running. The event's design prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity, explicitly welcoming women and non-binary individuals of all running abilities and body types.
Unlike traditional marathons that emphasize competitive performance, this event redefines success as inclusive participation and community support rather than finishing times or placements.
The 26.2-mile course is designed to be flat and fast, making it accessible to runners at all paces. Importantly, the race extends its finish time limit to 7 hours and 45 minutes—significantly longer than most marathons—which translates to a run-walk pace of 17 minutes and 45 seconds per mile or slower.
This extended window ensures that runners of all abilities can complete the distance without time pressure.
Women-Centered Amenities
Every Woman's Marathon sets itself apart through thoughtful design choices specifically addressing women's experiences. The event features abundant, clean portable toilets stocked with tampons, pads, hair ties, and other menstrual products.
Lactation stations are positioned at the start line and along the course, accommodating nursing mothers who wish to run. Additional amenities include dedicated hair braiding stations, recovery zones with compression therapy equipment, and recovery beverages including chocolate milk to support muscle repair after the race.
The race permits strollers on the course, making it possible for mothers to participate while caring for young children.
Hydration and nutrition support from brands like GU Liquid Gels are distributed throughout the course, with motivation stations—featuring music, cheer squads, and local run clubs—positioned at every single mile marker.
Course and Location
The New Orleans course will showcase the city's unique character and neighborhoods, with the race taking place through streets and areas that reflect the city's rich cultural heritage.
As with previous editions, the course is designed to be both fast and scenic, providing the complete marathon experience while highlighting local landmarks and community spaces.
The 2024 Savannah course was USATF-certified as a Boston Marathon qualifier, meeting the rigorous standards required for runners seeking to qualify for Boston's renowned race.
New Orleans runners can expect similar quality course certification and design standards.
Event Experience Beyond the Race
The Every Woman's Marathon weekend extends far beyond race day itself. A Wellness Fair and Expo on Friday before the race features yoga sessions, cooking classes, panel discussions with the race captains, hair braiding services, and performances by live musicians.
These programming elements create a full celebration of women's strength and community.
Post-race festivities include a finish festival with live musical performances, local food vendors, recovery services, and opportunities for medal engraving.
The 2025 Scottsdale event featured Grammy-winning artist Sierra Ferrell as a headliner, setting a standard for high-caliber entertainment at the finish celebration.
Mission and Charity Partnerships
Team Milk uses Every Woman's Marathon as a platform for community impact beyond running. The event partners with organizations dedicated to advancing women and girls, particularly through sports and physical activity.
Charity partners include Girls on the Run, which builds confidence and decision-making skills in young girls; 261 Fearless, co-founded by Kathrine Switzer to help women discover their potential through running; Black Girls Run!, which empowers Black women through running; Girl Scouts; and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Every registration generates donations to supporting nonprofit organizations, meaning participants directly contribute to these missions simply by signing up.
Team Milk Community
Participation in Every Woman's Marathon includes membership in Team Milk, a vibrant community of over 30,000 women runners across the United States.
Team Milk members receive benefits including free, personalized training guides tailored to individual running experience and body types, nutrition guidance developed with sports dietitians, exclusive gear drops, expert tips, and access to a supportive community of women sharing running goals and experiences.
The Team Milk community operates throughout the training season, providing ongoing encouragement and support beyond race weekend. This extended engagement differentiates Every Woman's Marathon from traditional point-in-time racing events.
Registration and Timing
Based on the pattern established in previous years, registration for the New Orleans edition will open on February 26, 2026, with early bird pricing available for a limited time. Early registration fees typically start at $95 before increasing to higher price points as event date approaches.
Those interested in participating should sign up for Team Milk email updates through the official Every Woman's Marathon website to receive registration announcements and early access to discounted rates.
Historical Context
The creation of Every Woman's Marathon addresses a significant historical gap in women's running. Women were not permitted to officially run the Olympic marathon until 1972, and some marathons excluded women competitors until then.
By establishing a women-centric marathon, Team Milk honors the legacy of pioneers like Kathrine Switzer while creating a contemporary space where all women can experience the full marathon distance surrounded by peer support and specifically designed accommodations.
What Participants Should Know
Participants in Every Woman's Marathon must be 18 or older on race day. While the event is designed with women's experiences in mind, the race welcomes all genders to participate, with registration open to any interested runners 18 and above.
The expanded community of over 30,000 Team Milk members creates multiple opportunities for training support, friendship, and accountability during the months leading up to race day.
Virtual race options are also available for those unable to attend in person, allowing participation while running in their local communities.
New Orleans runners seeking a marathon experience explicitly designed to address women's needs, support personal achievement over competitive ranking, and celebrate female strength and community have found their race.
The Every Woman's Marathon represents a distinct opportunity to run 26.2 miles surrounded by women's stories, women's wisdom, and women's unwavering support for one another.
