Just six months on from giving birth to her daughter Pepper and having started from a normal wave with no access to an elite bib, Stephanie Case claimed one of the most remarkable ultramarathon wins ever at Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB.
The Canadian, a human rights lawyer, had begun the 103km race in the rugged Welsh mountains 30 minutes behind the elite runners and breastfed her daughter at several of the course’s aid stations.
The race – at least for those with an elite bib – got underway at 4.30am local time and in front of the runners was over 6,300 metres of climbing, starting with a first ascent of Yr Wydffa, as well as some unusually warm temperatures to contend with.
Fairytale finish
Before the event, Case had posted on her Instagram page: “It’s time for me to get back out there and chase some big scary goals!
“Getting to the start line itself was never guaranteed just six months after having little Pepper. And neither is the finish line. But I feel happy and healthy (and super nervous), so no matter how Saturday (and Sunday 😂) goes, I’m incredibly grateful…”
And she was oblivious to her incredible win until just before 10pm at the finish line at which point she was told that she had jumped from Wave 3 to take the top spot.
For when the start times were factored in, Case’s finish time of 16:53:22 saw her vault ahead of the UK’s Lauren Graham (16:57:44) and Hoka athlete Kimino Miyazaki (17:06:34) of Japan, who had both been in the elite start and had been sitting first and second on the provisional standings.
‘A beautiful race’
It was a remarkable outcome and interviewed afterwards, Case – whilst her daughter kept trying to take the mic – said: “I felt like I was 25 again once I started running.
“I didn’t want to know where I was, I mean a few people were telling me but they didn’t know that I had started in a later wave.
“The course was gorgeous, it was a beautiful race, so well organised. I loved it!”
Case does have an impressive running CV but this was an amazing and inspiring addition to it.
Meanwhile in the men’s race two of trail running’s biggest stars, Jon Albon (GBR) and Mathieu Blanchard (FRA) took first and second respectively.
