most marathons used to be men-only anyway, and still are mainly exclusively for men. i don't think there'd be a feminist 'response' if a male-only marathon was organised, and to be honest i don't know that anything like that organised would have nearly as much male support compared to the female support of a race like this.
instead of rambling on, i'm borrowing what i feel is a much more succint and coherent argument than i would have come out with
[s]Why women's races matter - by Kelly Kruell
http://www.rrca.org/publicat/womrace.html
Standing on the starting line of the L'Eggs Mini Marathon in 1979, I was overwhelmed by the electricity of thousands of women runners. It was so thrilling, so impressive. During the race, I could only marvel at the athletes ahead of and around me. More amazing, however, was watching the almost endless stream of women finishing behind me...It was a pivotal event in our lives.
Women-only races offer a special atmosphere for athletes of all levels. For the front-runners, it is a chance to see their competition. Racing tactics change dramatically when there are no men: no one to dictate pace, to block the wind, to obscure the race unfolding.
Certainly for all women, the camaraderie and support of a women-only race adds so much to the atmosphere. Often the profits from the race are given to women's causes, like breast cancer research or scholarships for women runners, which tends to draw out even the most casual runners. I've noticed that when I have invited other women to a race they are more apt to participate if it's an all-women event.
Women in the middle of the pack say they love the feeling of being swept along in a joyous parade of women. Beginning runners feel less self-conscious about their speed and more encouraged about their efforts. "Many women are self-conscious about their abilities or looks and feel that women would be less judgmental," says S. Hautala.
Women seem to flock to women-only races, but do men want men-only races? Runners on the Internet pointed out that high school, intercollegiate, Olympic, and international events are usually segregated. To the top male competitors, there is no point to having men-only road races. Bryan Beel of Washington says, "I wouldn't have interest in a men-only race because I already spend most of my racing time in front of the first woman, so I'm already getting that feeling." Many other male runners state that women-only races do not bother them, but they admit they don't always see the appeal of such events. For the most part, men runners have understood and supported these goals, and have helped in any way they can in this celebration of women's running.
Twenty years ago, women-only races made a statement about women being able to run long distances. Today, they highlight women's competition while still welcoming participation of women runners of all ages and abilities. What hasn't changed is the immense empowerment that the participants feel as part of a large group of athletic women. After hundreds of races, I still get a special charge from all-women events.[/s]
[hr]
[s]"don't frown...you never know who might be falling in love with your smile..."[/s]
[s]"don't frown...you never know who might be falling in love with your smile..."[/s]
by Amanda on Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:01 pm 
