Outspoken Awards

About the Outspoken Awards

Women are rarely acknowledged for the monumental contributions they make to sport and to our lives. They are often taken for granted, working in the background without much recognition. The Outspoken Summit aims to change that by annually recognizing women in endurance sports for their contributions.

In 2019, the first-ever Women in Triathlon Awards celebrated women in 6 categories. Awards were presented in Tempe during the Outspoken Summit.

The 2020 and 2021 Women in Triathlon Awards were presented virtually and included 9 categories.

For 2022, we have expanded from the Women in Triathlon awards to also include the community of Gravel Cycling, along with endurance sports broadly.

Submit a Nomination

Awards Categories

TRIATHLON - COACH OF THE YEAR: a triathlon coach who is changing lives, changing the game of coaching, contributing in outstanding ways to triathlon coaching, or women’s equity in the sport, or all of the above.

TRIATHLON - ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: a pro or age group triathlete who has used her platform to advocate for and make positive change in triathlon.

TRIATHLON - BETHANY RUTLEDGE MEMORIAL AWARD: Bethany Rutledge was an active member of the Atlanta, GA triathlon community. She spent her life helping others and supporting triathletes to achieve their best selves. She believed helping people in small ways created potential for much bigger change. For this memorial award, please nominate a woman you believe embodies Bethany’s spirit and philosophy, and has affected many people in small, and meaningful ways. The Bethany Rutledge Memorial Award was presented by Bethany’s friend Kathryn Taylor.

GRAVEL CYCLING - COACH OF THE YEAR: a gravel cycling coach who is changing lives, changing the game of coaching, contributing in outstanding ways to gravel cycling coaching, or women’s equity in the sport, or all of the above.

GRAVEL CYCLING - ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: a pro or age group gravel cyclist who has used her platform to advocate for and make positive change in gravel cycling.

GRAVEL CYCLING - COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: a woman gravel cyclist who has gone above and beyond to support the gravel cycling community.

RACE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR: a race director (or race directors) who has gone out of her way to develop and create an inclusive race environment to attract a diverse group of athletes to her event.

OUTSTANDING MEDIA CONTRIBUTION: a written work, video, podcast, or social media platform with the intended purpose to encourage positive change in endurance sports, especially if the positive change is associated with raising the profile of women in the sport/addressing gender equity.

BUSINESS IMPACT AWARD: a woman in the business of endurance sport who is working to further women's equity or diversity. Can be a business owner or a women impacting the business of endurance sport.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: a woman who has dedicated her life to encouraging sustainable and meaningful change in endurance sports for women.

OUTSPOKEN WOMAN OF THE YEAR: a woman who has advocated for and broken down barriers for women in endurance sports.