With a time of 61:58, Courtney logged the second-fastest women's time in Cocodona 250 course history.
Ultrarunning superstar and Team Injinji Athlete Courtney Dauwalter is heading back to the start line of Cocodona 250...one of the longest, wildest races in the world. Stretching more than 250 miles across Arizona, the route winds through the Sonoran Desert, climbs to the summit of Mount Elden above Flagstaff and rolls through the largest Ponderosa pine forest on the planet.
For Courtney, the draw isn’t just the distance, it’s the chance to go really, really long again. Known for her big smile, big miles and a curiosity for what lies beyond the edge of “far enough,” she’s returning to Cocodona to see what the course and the experience might reveal this time around.
Ahead of the race, we caught up with Courtney to talk about what keeps pulling her toward these massive efforts, what she hopes to gain returning to compete and why heading back into the unknown is still the most exciting part.
The following blog questions were answered by Team Injinji Athlete Courtney Dauwalter in April of 2026.
What’s your favorite part about Cocodona, and how do you prepare for such a long race?
My favorite part of Cocodona is the atmosphere around it. To gather with a bunch of runners, crews, volunteers and towns along the route and celebrate running by doing something crazy like covering 250 miles with our feet is so special. I love the feeling of celebration around the race. No matter where you finish, or if you finish at all, it’s a huge accomplishment to be part of it.
Physically, my preparation is very similar to how I prepare for all of my ultras. Getting out on the trails, accumulating hours and climbs and miles. Practicing with my pack and my nutrition. It’s all very similar for me. Mentally, my goal is to show up fresh and excited for the adventure ahead. The mental side of preparing for a 250-mile race is super important, and I’m definitely tuning in to that piece of it.
This will be your second time returning to Cocodona. You raced a really tough race last year, completing 108 miles. On Instagram, your team wrote: “Unfinished business can be a great springboard for the next thing.” Why are you coming back for more in 2026, and what are you hoping to get out of this year’s race?
I am back at Cocodona this year because when I dropped out at mile 108 in 2025, I knew that I wanted to experience the full adventure of running all the way to Flagstaff. I knew that the curiosity and the excitement for running multiple days was still there. The DNF in 2025 was the first part of my Cocodona story. I am looking forward to writing Part 2 of the story this year.
Have you noticed any shift in the trail racing community’s approach to super long-distance events like these?
Ultras have so many puzzle pieces we get to fit together, and multi-day races add more (or different) pieces to that puzzle. I think one really cool part of ultrarunning is that there are so many formats, distances and types of terrain. You can find the exact thing that pulls at your heart and your curiosity and go after it. The super long-distance events like Cocodona have been steadily growing in number over the years and capturing people’s imaginations: what would it be like to run for 250 miles? Can I do it? How will it go? I think that is so exciting and I’m thrilled to be part of the race this year.
What will your crew look like this year? How closely do you work with your crew, and how crucial is that relationship for success?
Ultrarunning is absolutely a team sport and the people who are there to support us in the training and in the racing of these events are a key piece of the puzzle. I feel really lucky to have an amazing group of friends joining my husband to help us get to that finish line. They are all experienced in running and crewing long races, but more importantly, they are people I enjoy being around. Seeing them at the aid stations and sharing sections of the trail with them is going to bring me joy, and I can’t wait to make life memories all together.
What is a piece of advice you would give to someone who is running 100+ miles for the first time?
Go for it! Deciding to try something hard leads to the coolest experiences!
How do you stay on top of your foot health during such a long event? What socks will you be racing in?
I will be wearing the Injinji Trail Crew and the Ultra Run socks throughout the race. My plan to keep my feet happy throughout is to take the time at a few aid stations to clean my feet, put on some new Squirrel’s Nut Butter and a fresh pair of socks. Happy feet are going to be really important!
How To Watch Cocodona 250:
Tune in to watch the Cocodona 250 live stream here and follow the action as it unfolds. Join us in cheering for Courtney and all the talented runners toeing the line.
Team Injinji has several athletes competing at Cocodona this year. Meet the full Injinji Athlete team here and discover the socks they rely on to keep their feet healthy during long-distance pursuits.
