2024 was a record-breaking year for elite ultrarunner and Team Injinji athlete, Courtney Dauwalter, as she took first place in all five races she competed in: Transgrancanaria, Mt. Fuji 100, Hardrock 100, Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB, and SwissPeaks.
After shattering the Hardrock 100 course record in 2023, she returned in 2024 to break her own record – continuing to redefine what’s possible in ultra-running. Humble, kind, and breaking trail in the running community, Courtney sits down with us to discuss her plans for the 2025 summer season ahead. What keeps her motivated? How is she feeling heading into Cocodona 250? ?
Whether you’re here for the training insights, the race-day nutrition (hello, Swedish Fish!), or just to soak up some of Courtney’s contagious positivity, this Q&A has it all. Let’s dive in!
We’ve read that you enjoy a good cup of coffee, what’s your go-to coffee shop order?
At home, I drink two large mugs of coffee with flavored creamer every morning. If I am ordering at a coffee shop, I usually order a vanilla latte, dirty chai, or I’ll go for whatever the seasonal drink is.
Do you eat aid station food? What’s your aid-station guilty pleasure food/snack?
I don’t usually eat the aid station food because I try to keep my nutrition options really narrow during ultras: Tailwind, gels, chews. Those are things I’ll carry in my pack and restock with my crew. But if I do use the aid station for food, I find the soups and broths usually hit the spot, or I go for the candy bowl. Gummy bears or Swedish Fish are so delicious!
What’s your take on pickle juice? Yuck or Yum?
YUM!
You seem to approach running and life with so much joy. How do you refill your cup?
Spending time with family and friends fills my cup the most.
If you could give any advice to someone who is considering entering the trail running or ultra world for the first time, what would it be?
Go for it! Why not!? This is an amazing sport that guarantees adventure while being surrounded by an incredible community. Be patient with yourself as you get used to running on the trails. Be consistent in lacing up the shoes and getting out the door. Enjoy!!
If you had to choose a song or an album to accompany your spring training, what would you choose?
I love country music so can I choose some sort of country top 100 playlist?!
What is your favorite thing about the trail running community?
I love that after a weekend spent with strangers at a trail running event, you leave feeling like you’ve known each other forever. I love the post-race story-swapping, the moments shared on the trail, and the way people are always ready and willing to help in any way they can.
Are you a thrill-seeker or a chill-seeker?
Both! I love a good adrenaline rush adventure but also can sit in a beach chair with a book for hours.
You won all five races you entered in 2024 including setting course records at Mt. Fuji 100 and Hardrock 100. What is your mindset going into this summer?
My mindset for this summer is like every year: work hard and try hard but also have as much fun as possible and make sure to enjoy the moments along the way.
You’re planning to race Cocodona 250 this year! Wow! That’s amazing. It looks like the last 200+ mile race you did was Big’s Backyard in 2020. What inspired you to tackle another super long-distance race this year, and what are you most looking forward to?
I’m so excited! The 200+ mile distance is really intriguing to me - the puzzle of the race becomes a little bigger with a few more pieces to play with and I love that. I am looking forward to running through multiple days and nights. I am looking forward to seeing what I can take from my previous 200 mile runs and what I can learn from this one. And I am really thankful to have an amazing group of friends coming out to crew & pace - making memories with them for the week will be a highlight for sure.
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Want to watch Courtney compete? Tune in live to the 2025 Cocodona 250 on May 5.
We can’t wait to follow along as Courtney gears up for another epic race in her extraordinary running career.
Race like Courtney this Spring in her favorite trail running socks – The Courtney Crew!
