Homestretch

What does it take to be a pro-female endurance athlete? Among other things, it takes time, training, and self-care—all of which require funds that are tough to come by for female endurance athletes. The Homestretch Foundation seeks to close the gender pay gap for female athletes and provide them with the accommodations, mentorship, and community necessary to excel in their field. The organization launched in November 2016, and more than 70 elite female athletes from 17 countries have called the Tanque Verde complex their home. The founder, Kathryn Bertine, was inspired by her own struggles as a professional cyclist without a base salary. She has fought for women to receive a base salary (still not equal to male cyclists), and to compete in the Tour de France. In this story, we will follow athletes to learn how they train and learn what needs to be done to support the careers of more female athletes.

Producer: Liz Scherffius
Videographer/Editor: Nate Huffman Tweet