The latest issue of Women’s Running magazine, which hit stands Tuesday, features a plus-size cover model, and readers are applauding the publication for embracing all body types.
It’s 18-year-old Erica Schenk whose perfect running form graces the cover of the August issue, and her image is already making an important impact on readers.
Thank you Women’s Running for showing the amazing diversity of runners…all sizes and shapes! #gorun #womensrunning https://t.co/BUPllP9wvy
— Ron Carney (@roncarney) July 24, 2015
Absolutely love the fact that @WomensRunning has a plus size model on the cover. Fact: Us plus size girls can run too! #womensrunning #run
— Brittany Louise (@Tinyeloquence) July 23, 2015
Thank you #WomensRunning for making every woman feel good about themselves – both inside and out! #health https://t.co/gKHWcEbMoF — Marie Møller Nielsen (@Marie_Nielsen) July 18, 2015
We all know that health and beauty periodicals don’t typically feature plus-size women, especially on their covers. Just take a look at some of the past issues of Women’s Running.
But the magazine’s editor in chief, Jessica Sebor, said that all women, regardless of body type or size, deserved to be represented in the media.
“We’re glad our readers can connect because it’s a rare experience to be able to connect with the model on the cover of a magazine, unfortunately,” she said.
Schenk, a runner since childhood, was only supposed to be part of a feature on plus-size running apparel, but inspired the Women’s Running editors so much that they decided to put her on the cover.
“Runners come in all shapes and sizes,” Sebor said. “You can go any race finish line, from a 5K to a marathon, and see that. It was important for us to celebrate that.”
