Jo Pavey
An Olympic long-distance runner will be the special guest at a gathering of women climbers next month.
Jo Pavey will speak at the Women’s Climbing Symposium in Manchester.
The annual one-day event, which this year takes place at The Depot Climbing Centre is being staged as part of Women’s Sports Week, a national programme of events to celebrate, raise awareness and increase the profile of women’s sport across the UK.
In May, the Women’s Sports Trust recognised the symposium with their Be A Game Changer Award, as one of the UK’s most inspiring initiatives.
Ms Pavey, who is a five-time Olympian, won a gold medal in the 10,000m race in the 2014 European Championships, 10 months after giving birth to her second child.
She said: “It is rare to have the opportunity to connect in this way with a different sporting community and I can’t wait to share my experiences of how I developed and achieved my goals in running.
“Events like the Women’s Climbing Symposium are incredibly important for giving women the tools and inspiration they need to excel in their chosen sport.”
Established in 2011 by current world cup bouldering champion Shauna Coxsey, who was appointed an MBE this year, and co-directed by climber and British Mountaineering Council vice-president Emma Flaherty, the Women’s Climbing Symposium is open to female climbers of all abilities.
Last year's Women's Climbing Symposium
Ms Coxsey said: “We can’t imagine a more appropriate speaker for this year’s theme of goal-setting and are delighted that Jo can join us to talk on the subject.
“Not only has she achieved so many of her professional goals, but she has done so in tandem with raising two children and returning to her sport to win again at the highest level.”
More than 400 women from the UK and beyond are expected to attend this year’s event, double the number last year.
Participants will have the opportunity to hear from inspirational speakers, attend a range of coaching workshops delivered by some of the best in the industry and connect with other climbers, all with the aim of furthering women’s progression in the sport.
Previous speakers have included downhill mountain bike racing champion Rachel Atherton and accomplished French climber Catherine Destivelle.
More details of the 8 October event are on the Women’s Climbing Symposium website.
