An ultramarathon covers any race longer than the standard 26.2-mile marathon. Distances range widely, with 50k, 100k, and 100-mile races being common formats.
What sets a top ultramarathon runner apart is not just raw endurance, but strategic pacing, resilience under extreme fatigue, and the ability to adapt to variable terrain and weather conditions.
The 2024/2025 season brought unprecedented performances, global competition, and barrier-breaking records. Increased attention to recovery and long-term athlete sustainability contributed to consistent peak performances.
These shifts hint at a new era in ultrarunning, where intelligent training complements pure grit.
Women’s Top Performers of the Year
Women in ultrarunning continue to push boundaries, redefine endurance, and prove that excellence isn’t defined by gender but by willpower, discipline, and smart strategy.
The season featured women delivering some of the most jaw-dropping performances ever recorded.
Katie Schide
Katie Schide’s performance is systematic, refined, and relentless. With her sharp focus on course preparation and physical conditioning, she managed to win two of the most prestigious ultras in the world.
She not only conquered both UTMB and Western States but did so with times that placed her in the history books.
A course record at UTMB is no small feat, especially with such a stacked field and unpredictable mountain weather. At Western States, she clocked the second-fastest women’s time in the event’s long history.
Her consistency continued with a victory at Canyons by UTMB 100k, showing that she’s more than a 100-miler specialist. Living and training in the Alps with partner Germain Grangier provides a competitive advantage, year-round altitude, technical terrain, and direct access to Europe’s top events.
Key achievements and notes:
- Victory at UTMB with a new course record
- Second-fastest time ever at Western States 100
- Winner of Canyons by UTMB 100k
- Trains in the Alps, benefiting from high-elevation terrain
Courtney Dauwalter
Courtney Dauwalter’s campaign was a worldwide tour of triumph. Racing across three continents and logging five major wins in one year shows a level of athletic resilience that continues to baffle competitors and fans alike.
Her victories came at events known for brutal conditions, such as Hardrock 100 and Mt. Fuji 100, where she also crushed existing course records.
Despite her relaxed public persona, Dauwalter’s toughness in the back half of ultras is nearly unmatched. Her ability to smile while others collapse speaks volumes about her mental edge.
Dauwalter’s training is famously instinctive, relying more on how she feels than rigid training metrics.
That flexibility has given her longevity in a sport known for burnout. She also remains grounded, often crediting her crew and husband for much of her success.
Highlights:
- 5 ultra wins across three continents
- Course records at Hardrock 100 and Mt. Fuji 100
- Continues to lead without a coach or rigid plan
- Embodies endurance with simplicity and joy
Jasmin Paris
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Jasmin Paris has always been respected in mountain ultrarunning circles, she etched her name into the sport’s mythology.
She became the first woman to ever finish the Barkley Marathons, an event notorious for its brutal climbs, navigation challenges, and psychological strain.
Only 19 men had ever finished Barkley before her. Paris became the 20th overall finisher, beating the 60-hour cutoff with minutes to spare.
That accomplishment went far beyond athleticism—it required tactical brilliance, strategic sleep deprivation, and a fearless approach to uncharted terrain.
In addition to her elite athletic profile, Paris balances a full-time academic career and family responsibilities. She runs not for fame, but to test herself against impossible odds. Her performance at Barkley wasn’t just a breakthrough for women—it shattered assumptions about what any human can do.
Notable accomplishments:
- First woman to finish the Barkley Marathons
- One of only 20 total finishers in history
- Balances elite racing with academic work and parenting
- Known for grit, humility, and unrelenting persistence
Men’s Top Performers of the Year
Men’s ultrarunning was defined by boundary-pushing records, strategic brilliance, and surprising breakthroughs. The top athletes showcased a combination of experience, calculated preparation, and raw determination.
Some stood atop podiums repeatedly. Others shocked the community with unexpected victories. All demonstrated that elite endurance is a product of consistency, grit, and evolution.
Matthieu Bonne
Matthieu Bonne delivered one of the most jaw-dropping performances in ultrarunning history by setting a new six-day world record with 1045.519 kilometers.
That’s an average of more than 108 miles per day—an achievement that defies conventional limits. He also added the Belgian 24-hour record to his accolades, further cementing his reputation as a high-volume endurance machine.
What separates Bonne is not just his running ability, but his multi-sport background. Years spent in open-water swimming and competitive cycling have allowed him to develop resilience while minimizing overuse injuries. These disciplines also serve as active recovery tools that extend his athletic longevity.
Bonne’s approach reflects a shift in ultrarunning philosophy, where cross-training and smart recovery now hold as much value as long mileage.
Major highlights:
- New six-day world record: 1045.519 km
- Set Belgian 24-hour record
- Multisport foundation: swimming, cycling, running
- Emphasizes recovery as a tool, not an afterthought
Hayden Hawks
Hayden Hawks returned to peak form in 2024, leading the charge among American ultrarunners. He snagged wins at CCC 101k and Black Canyon 100k, setting a new course record at the latter.
His performance at Western States 100, where he claimed a podium finish, added depth to his season and proved his consistency over various courses.
Hawks approaches racing with scientific precision. He balances professional competition with family responsibilities, often racing with his young son waiting at the finish line. That perspective brings balance, keeping his mental game sharp even during intense training blocks.
Training at altitude in Utah, Hawks takes advantage of technical terrain and variable weather conditions. His discipline and patience have paid off after earlier setbacks in his career.
Key achievements:
- Wins at CCC 101k and Black Canyon 100k (new course record)
- Podium finish at Western States 100
- Balances elite racing with family life
- Trains at high elevation for improved VO2 max and endurance
Vincent Bouillard
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Vincent Bouillard shocked the ultrarunning community in 2024 by winning UTMB—his only second time racing the 100-mile distance. Without a big-name sponsor or long resume, he showed up as an underdog and left as a champion.
What’s even more impressive is that Bouillard works full-time at HOKA, not as a sponsored athlete, but as part of the product team. He runs in shoes he helped design, bridging the gap between innovation and performance.
His story is a refreshing reminder that passion, preparation, and purpose can outweigh prestige.
Bouillard’s grounded demeanor and work ethic have earned him immense respect among peers.
Standout facts:
- Surprise winner of UTMB 2024
- Only his second 100-miler
- Holds a full-time job at HOKA, where he designs shoes
- A self-coached athlete with limited resources, maximum drive
Legacy and Icons in the Sport
While rising stars set new standards, several figures remain etched in ultrarunning history for their monumental influence.
These individuals have helped shape the sport not just through podium finishes but by redefining what excellence and longevity look like.
Their commitment to innovation, sustainable performance, and athlete advocacy continues to influence the next generation of runners.
Kilian Jornet
Kilian Jornet’s name is synonymous with ultrarunning greatness. For over a decade, he has been the reference point in mountain endurance sports.
Multiple victories at UTMB, Hardrock, and Zegama are just a fraction of his long list of accomplishments. What sets Jornet apart is not just how often he wins, but how he approaches performance as a system.
Jornet’s training routines are rooted in high-altitude living and a deep connection with mountainous terrain. He prioritizes self-reliance, environmental sustainability, and scientific curiosity.
His experiments in recovery, including heart rate variability tracking and altitude adaptation, have influenced training methods far outside ultrarunning.
Many of today’s elite athletes still credit Jornet’s philosophy with reshaping how they view balance between volume and wellness.
Legacy highlights:
- Multiple wins at UTMB, Hardrock 100, and Zegama
- Early adopter of altitude training and HRV tracking
- Blends elite performance with environmental advocacy
- A benchmark for consistency, humility, and innovation
Camille Herron
Camille Herron has rewritten what is physically possible in timed ultrarunning events. She holds world records across multiple distances, including 100 miles, 12-hour, and 48-hour formats.
Her racing success is fueled not only by natural talent but by a rigorous commitment to scientific preparation.
Herron stands out for applying evidence-based methods to every aspect of her training, nutrition, hydration, biomechanics, and recovery.
Her approach has made her an icon for data-driven athletes and has helped normalize smart, sustainable training practices in a sport once dominated by extreme mileage and mental toughness alone.
She actively shares her process with the community, helping others avoid burnout and extend their running careers. Herron represents not just performance, but progress.
Defining contributions:
- Holder of multiple ultra-distance world records
- Prioritizes research-backed recovery, nutrition, and pacing
- Strong advocate for athlete health and longevity
- Blends racing with educational outreach and mentorship
The Role of Recovery in Ultra Success
Recovery is no longer an afterthought; it’s a strategic cornerstone of elite performance. Athletes are investing in sleep optimization, nutrition tracking, cross-training, and mental health support.
Many professionals now balance training with work and family life to reduce burnout risk. Sustainability is the focus, not just how far or fast someone can go, but how long they can stay at the top. Naturally, there are a lot of recovery options you can look at. For more details, visit Breathe.
Courtney Dauwalter, for example, employs intuitive training and generous downtime to stay fresh throughout demanding seasons. Matthieu Bonne’s use of cycling and swimming as recovery tools demonstrates how different modalities can reduce strain while maintaining fitness.
The Bottom Line
2024/2025 has been a banner season for ultrarunning. Athletes shattered records, expanded the sport’s boundaries, and showed what consistent, mindful preparation can achieve.
Inspirational stories aren’t limited to podium finishes. Grassroots runners, weekend warriors, and underdogs have all contributed to the sport’s evolution.
With smarter training strategies and an emphasis on recovery, ultrarunning is poised for even greater heights.
