After being rebranded as “Women’s Running” in 2008, the magazine has taken huge strides in catering to fit a certain demographic — female runners. In a groundbreaking attempt to break fitness stereotypes, Women’s Running chose plus-size model Erica Schenk to be on the cover in the upcoming August issue. Diverging away the commonly used skinny and muscular models, Editor-In-Chief Jessica Sebor wants to stress “runners come in all shapes and sizes.”

Sebor told Today: “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.”

Since the cover preview, the magazine has seen an outpouring of support on social media, including fans on Twitter:

The decision to choose Schenk was described as a natural choice for the magazine. Schenk, who is 18 and wears a size 18, had already been doing a shoot for a feature in the magazine spotlighting athletic brands that are expanding their sizes in running clothes. The plus-size model, who is also a runner, shatters the stereotype of the “runner’s body” and encourages all women to go be active.

“Some women believe that since they have curves they can’t run or shouldn’t run. Running is for every body anytime,” she told Women’s Running.

Schenk’s cover also runs in solidarity with a UK website: “Too Fat To Run.” The site started by UK-based

Julie Creffield, a clinically obese 36-year-old woman, was inspired by her experience as a runner who was told she was “too unfit” to run. Creffield believes doctors have to stop telling overweight or obese patients they should try swimming or walking and avoid running for the chance of getting injured.

Women like Schenk and Creffield may not fit the mold of what is someone stereotypically describes as a “runner,” but who does? These women are celebrating the physically active women who come in all shapes and sizes making an effort towards body acceptance.