An Extraordinary 14 Months for North American 100 Mile Races – iRunFar

It has been quite an extraordinary 14 months in the world of 100-mile trail running in North America. Starting with the Western States 100 last year and finishing with the Leadville 100 Mile last weekend, we have seen three performances that have found their way into my list of the top three men’s and women’s performances of all time and, in so doing, have knocked off three legendary performances from yesteryear.

Prior to June 2023, my top three North American women’s 100-mile performances of all time looked like this:

1. Ann Trason – 1994 Leadville 100 Mile
2. Ellie Greenwood – 2012 Western States 100
3. Ann Trason – 1994 Western States 100

Then along came the 2023 Western States 100 and Courtney Dauwalter’s mind-bending 15:29 course record run. With that, Trason’s 1994 Western States 100 run was bumped off the list, and Greenwood’s 2012 Western States 100 performance was relegated to third.

A year later, this past June, Katie Schide — who finished second at the 2023 Western States 100 behind Dauwalter — won in 15:46, and bumped Greenwood off the list entirely. As of today, therefore, my women’s podium looks like this:

1. Courtney Dauwalter – 2023 Western States 100
2. Ann Trason – 1994 Leadville 100 Mile
3. Katie Schide – 2024 Western States 100

Katie Schide, 2024 Western States 100 champion. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks

On the men’s side, before last weekend’s historic run at the Leadville 100, my North American men’s top three 100-mile performances of all time looked like this:

1. Jim Walmsley – 2019 Western States 100
2. Jim O’Brien – 1989 Angeles Crest 100 Mile
3. Matt Carpenter – 2005 Leadville 100 Mile

With David Roche’s incredible course record run at the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile, Carpenter’s name was bumped off the list, making my current podium look like this:

1. Jim Walmsley – 2019 Western States 100
2. Jim O’Brien – 1989 Angeles Crest 100 Mile
3. David Roche – 2024 Leadville 100 Mile

David Roche winning the 2024 Leadville 100 Mile and setting a new course record. Photo: Life Time

While these rankings are solely mine, and certainly subject to analysis and criticism, it is interesting to note how many of these performances have happened recently, regardless of where one might rank them.

Much has been said about the current state of long-distance trail running and ultrarunning, and the increasing professionalism in the sport. I believe this — along with significant improvements in training, nutrition, shoes, and gear — has made outstanding performances more frequent.

At this point, it is hard to say where the ceiling might be. That being said, it also highlights how impressive the performances of Carpenter, Trason, and O’Brien were in the context of history. I, for one, am curious to see where this record progression will go as we see the continued growth and evolution of the sport. I look forward to being along for the ride.

Bottoms up!

AJW’s Beer of the Week

This week’s beer of the week comes from David Roche’s hometown of Boulder, Colorado. Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery is a Boulder brewery specializing in small batches of delicious beer. Annapurna Amber is a smooth-drinking Vienna Lager that transports one back to the Alps. Crisp and refreshing, Annapurna Amber is the quintessential summer mountain beer.

Call for Comments

• What are your top three male and female ultrarunning performances ever?
• What other extraordinary runs have happened in the past year?