Erica Schenk Cover Model: ‘Women’s Running’ Magazine Features Plus-Size Runner

Curvy Erica Schenk is the cover model for the August issue of Women’s Running magazine.

This is a groundbreaking move by the fitness magazine. Never before has a fuller-figured woman made the cover of such a popular magazine that promotes being in top physical condition. As a lot of people know, not all joggers are super slender and have the typical runner’s body. There’s a lot more who are running as a form as exercise than what society tends to believe, and Women’s Running gets that. In fact, the magazine states that runners “don’t have to be” thin.

Jessica Sebor, the magazines editor-in-chief, spoke with TODAY about the decision to make Erica Schenk the cover model for the fitness magazine. She explains that part of the magazine’s feature has to do with popular athletic brands appealing to different sizes when it comes to their running outfits. Schenk is a runner, herself, which made her a great candidate to appear on the magazine’s cover.

A key takeaway in having Schenk as the cover model for Women’s Running is that she represents women who are runners, but not rail-thin. Sebor shares her views regarding that.

“There’s a stereotype that all runners are skinny, and that’s just not the case. Runners come in all shapes and sizes. You can go any race finish line, from a 5K to a marathon, and see that. It was important for us to celebrate that.

“I think that every woman goes to the magazine rack sometimes and feels like she can’t see herself in the cover images. We wanted our readers to feel like they could see themselves in our cover.”

Schenk spoke with People magazine about her joy of being on the cover of Women’s Running.

“Honestly, I was astonished. I hadn’t seen any of the digitals and I didn’t think I would until the release date. My family is overwhelmingly proud.”

The photo shoot took place in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. James Farrell, the photographer, made sure everything went smooth and that Schenk was comfortable.

Sebor says 18-year-old Schenk has been running for 10 years. The model lives in New York City and shares that she likes to run so she can “clear her head and think” — and that Central Park is her favorite place to jog.

Erica Schenk is overjoyed about being the cover model on Women’s Running, and seeing the strides being made for plus-size women.

“Our generation has taken leaps and bound towards less judgement and more acceptance. It makes me proud to see people responding positively to a curvy and proud woman who wants to lead a healthy lifestyle.”

[Photo Credit: Women’s Running via TODAY]