The much-hoped for clash at this year’s UTMB between Courtney Dauwalter and Katie Schide, ultraunning’s two greatest female athletes, isn’t going to happen.
The American pair have between them won the last five editions of trail running’s blue riband event – Dauwalter in 2019, 2021 and 2023, Schide in 2022 and 2024 (there was no race in 2020 due to the global COVID pandemic).
A couple of weeks ago Dauwalter, who has elevated the sport to new heights in recent years, announced she would be returning to Chamonix to try and regain her title.
And there was plenty of anticipation that Schide, who has been the one woman capable of matching Dauwalter in the last couple of years by also winning the likes of Western States and Hardrock, would take her on in Chamonix.
‘Sticking to original plan’
Last time out Schide achieved a long-held ambition by winning Hardrock 100 on her debut, beating the previous record time of none other than Dauwalter.
But it appears that given other targets, UTMB will just come a little too soon after that.
The French-based star explained on Instagram: “With the biggest goal of the summer in the rear view, it feels a little sad to be leaving it behind and start refocusing on something new. I wanted to wait a little bit before answering the “what’s next?” question and leave myself some space based on the Hardrock recovery.
“So here we go – I’ll be sticking to the original plan of joining Team USA at the Trail World Championships on September 27 in the Pyrenees for the long course (82km). And while it will not be my first time in the stars & stripes, it will be my first time at a trail world champs. The idea of scoring for the team, racing in a new area, and taking in all the hype around this event that only happens every 2 years is something that feels fun & fresh & different.
‘I’ll be feeling some fomo’
“Yes, this means I won’t be at the Chamonix group run at the end of the month. Yes, I’ll be feeling some fomo. But I also know I’m not ready to be back there quite yet and am following my own advice to do the things that motivate & excite me most.
“There is even another race on deck between now and then. Just a small event you may have heard of… stay tuned 👀”
And if we are correct that other race is coming up very soon – this Saturday to be precise.
For Schide is currently on the start list for Sierre-Zinal in the Swiss canton of Valais.
It is known as the race of five 4000s (La Course des Cinq 4000), as the route takes competitors in sight of five peaks of over four thousand meters: Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn, Matterhorn, and Dent Blanche.
At 31km long and with 2200m of elevation gain, Sierre-Zinal is widely considered one of the world’s most coveted ultrarunning titles.
