Ultra Runners
This section celebrates women who have pushed the limits of endurance — from crossing entire countries to conquering iconic ultra-distance trails. Here you’ll find record-breaking runs and remarkable firsts that continue to inspire future generations of runners.
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (R2R2R)
An iconic 42-mile route through the Grand Canyon, gaining a total of around 10,000 feet in elevation. The double crossing from rim to rim and back is one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world.
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Fastest Known Time (unsupported) to complete the R2R2R route — Ella Nuttelman — 15:46:17 — 2024
Western States Endurance Run
Commonly known as the Western States 100, this 100.2-mile (161 km) ultramarathon takes place each year on the trails of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains during the last full weekend of June. It’s one of the most competitive ultramarathons in the United States and is organised by the nonprofit Western States Endurance Run Foundation.
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Set the current women’s course record for the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race — Courtney Dauwalter (USA) — 15:29:33 — 2023
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Held the women’s record for over a decade before it was broken in 2023 — Ellie Greenwood (UK) — 16:47:19 — 2012
Runners who complete the race in under 30 hours receive a bronze buckle, while those finishing in under 24 hours earn a coveted silver buckle.
Land’s End to John o’ Groats (LEJOG)
The iconic end-to-end journey across Great Britain, covering approximately 874 miles.
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Fastest known female time to run the length of Great Britain — Carla Molinaro (UK) — 12 days 30 minutes — 28 July 2020
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First woman to complete the distance unsupported and solo, pushing her provisions in a pram and camping along the way — Marie-Claire Oziem (UK) — unsupported and solo — 3 August 2014
Note: The Land's End–John o' Groats Association was founded in 1983 to recognise those who have completed the journey from Land’s End to John o’ Groats or vice versa in a single trip. The Land's End John o' Groats Club also holds an annual awards ceremony for notable ‘end-to-enders’.
Other LEJOG runners on the Tough Girl Podcast
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One of the earliest female record-setters for the challenge — Mimi Anderson (UK) — 12 days 15 hours 46 minutes — 28 July 2008
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Record-setting endurance runner with one of the fastest LEJOG completions — Sharon Gayter (UK) — 12 days 11 hours 6 minutes — August 2019
South West Coast Path (UK)
630 miles / 1,010 km National Trail along the coastline of south-west England
First woman to set a solo supported fastest known time (FKT) — Dani Blackie (UK) — 18 days 14 hours 42 minutes 42 seconds — 5 May 2021
