Courtney Dauwalter may not have won a fourth UTMB title last weekend but she won a whole new legion of fans for the way she again conducted herself in her latest loop around Mt Blanc.
The GOAT of women’s ultrarunning led by more than 11 minutes at the 100km mark at Arnouvaz and had battled through some horrendous weather.
But not long after in the 174km race the alarm bells started to ring.
Eventual winner Ruth Croft would move past her and into the lead and it soon became obvious that any chance of a podium place was evaporating too.
However Dauwalter did the opposite of throwing in the towel. Instead she made an extended visit to her famed ‘pain cave’ and managed to get herself to the finish line in Chamonix.
Rarely has a 10th-placed finish been celebrated so much and Dauwalter’s recent post on Instagram this week just underlines the class on and off the race course.
‘Pain cave expansion’
She wrote: “I love this sport so much. 💚
“While my legs gave out and left the party early, there were a million reasons to keep taking another step forward. Family & friends. Love and high fives and hugs. Pain Cave expansion. Finishing what we start. Adventure. Trying hard. All of you. Thank you thank you thank you.
“Getting to this finish line might be one of my most treasured memories.”
Raising the bar
Dauwalter added: “Congrats to everyone who lined up this past week.
“These trails are so tough! And huge huge hugeeeeee congrats, respect, and admiration for the women’s field, led by the incredible champ @ruthcrofty.
“I feel lucky to be in the sport right now. 🤩🤩🤩”
Brilliant words from the woman who has taken the sport to new heights.
As Croft said in her winner’s interview: “She’s the GOAT – always has been, always will be.”
But others – Croft and Katie Schide being two shining examples – have responded and helped raise that bar again.
