When it comes to endurance events, the differences in performance between men and women becomes smaller and smaller, the longer the event. In the last few years we have women in endurance competitions, that are at least as fast as the men’s! It is often hypothesised that this is because of differences in metabolism between men and women. It has been suggested that women are actually better at metabolising fat and can therefore sustain exercise for longer. Women would thus be better suited for very prolonged endurance exercise.