Courtney Dauwalter
Courtney Dauwalter runs in oversized shorts and loose shirts, loves nachos and beer and is still one of the best ultra runners. You could describe her journey there with a classic CV: Born in Minnesota, Courtney first worked as a teacher before she started running professionally in her early thirties, better late than never! This is reflected in her achievements, perseverance and determination. It is not without reason that she is known for hallucinations of Mickey Mouse, man with cello and co. while running. But ultra running is her passion, which is why she (now in Utah) starts at four in the morning. Her husband Kevin Schmidt supports her in her challenges.
Her efforts have not gone unrewarded: Courtney has set numerous records and won prestigious races, she is a true running heroine.
Only a few athletes manage to set record after record and set new standards like Courtney Dauwalter - so she is rightly nicknamed the Queen of Records. She first attracted attention in 2017 when she won the Moab 240 Ultramarathon in Utah in 57 hours, 55 minutes and 13 seconds, setting a new course record in the process.
The next big feat, or rather run, followed in 2018. At the Tahoe 200 around Lake Tahoe, she reached the finish in a record time of 49:54:36 in less than 50 hours (time limit for the race: 100 hours). Dauwalter thus sets a new women's course record with a lead of over 18 hours and a new men's course record with a lead of over 8 hours.
And her series of records continues to this day. In addition to setting numerous course records and winning the infamous Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in recent years, her achievements in 2023 in particular have not only thrilled the trail running community. After Courtney Dauwalter's unprecedented victories and course records at the Western States 100 in June and the Hardrock 100 in July, she literally crowned her successful season: By winning the UTMB, she secures the Triple Crown in ultra trail running.
In summer 2021, Courtney Dauwalter and François d'Haene will take part in two of the toughest ultra trail races in the world within six weeks: the Hardrock 100 and the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc®️ (UTMB). The documentary film "The Source" sheds light on their motivations and preparation and offers deep insights into the immense mental and physical strength required to do so. A powerful portrait of an athlete with unrivaledunparalleled stamina.
Courtney Dauwalter is special. And not just in terms of her performance. Sponsor Salomon has designed a toothbrush and "Triple Crown" toothpaste especially for her and her radiant smile. Courtney herself also designs creative products. In her store, for example, you can find T-shirts and adhesive tattoos with motifs that express her love of nachos or a leopard in a hammock that immortalizes a hallucination during a run.
Courtney's look is her trademark, which is why Salomon has dedicated a line of oversized shorts and loose T-shirts to her. She also works with nutrition brand The Feed, and her favorites are specially marked on the website.
They all want to sponsor her. Who can really do that? LEKI, SunGod, Suunto, injinji and, of course, Squirrel's Nut Butter.
In her childhood, Courtney's sports were more winter-oriented: cross-country skiing and downhill skiing. During high school, she was very successful in Nordic skiing. She only discovered her passion for ultra running later, inspired by the extreme physical and mental challenge. In 2016, she won the Javelina Jundred, which was her breakthrough in ultra running. Her tireless ambition led her to numerous victories. In 2017, at 32, she finally made running her main profession, having previously worked as a middle and high school teacher.
Courtney Dauwalter has won numerous prestigious ultra races and set several records. Some of her notable achievements include:
- 2017 - Moab 240: overall win and course record
- 2018 - Squamish 50: Women's win and course record
- 2018 - Tahoe 200: Victory and new women's course record and men's course record
- 2019 and 2021 - UTMB: Wins and women's course record in 2021
- 2020 - Big Dog's Backyard Ultra: victory and course record
- 2022 - Collegiate Loop Trail: Victory and fastest known time
- 2023 - Western States 100 and Hardrock 100: Victory in both races with record times and thus the first person to win both races in one year
- 2023 - UTMB: Victory, wins the Triple Crown with the previous victories at Western States 100 and Hardrock 100, which no one has ever achieved before.
- 2018: Ultra Runner of the Year - UltraRunning Magazine awarded her the title after she won nine out of 12 ultra runs completed in the season, showing a remarkable range (races from 50 km to 279 miles).
- 2020: George Mallory Award - Presented at the Wasatch Mountain Film Festival for "pushing the boundaries of human performance."
- 2023: UltraRunner of the Year - Awarded again by UltraRunning Magazine
- 2023: Trail Runner of the Year 2023 - Awarded by trail running community network Freetrail
Birthday: | February 13 |
Birthplace: | Hopkins, Minnesota, USA |
Place of residence: | Leadville, Colorado |
Height: | 172 cm |
| Spouse: | Kevin Schmidt |
| Instagram followers: | 613,000 followers |
