My own Long Distance Walkers group, the Marches has one of the best track records within the association for hosting challenge walks usually 20-30 miles with2-3000 foot of climbing. We organise 4 walks annually and since covid everyone has been fully booked within a few weeks (often only a few days). For some years the average age of entries has been climbing to the high fifties with men dominating the lists. This year has seen the average age drop with female walkers now making up the greater numbers.
The achievements of female athletes in ultra events no longer surprises us as women trail runners snap up records as their counterparts in the swimming world have been doing for some time.
- Courtney Dauwalter (USA): Widely considered the greatest of all time, she continued her dominance in 2025, winning the Lavaredo Ultra Trail 120K and the Mt. Fuji 100 Mile. In 2023, she became the first person to win the Western States, Hardrock, and UTMB in a single year.
- Katie Schide (USA/France): A top-tier elite who won the 2025 Hardrock 100 and the 2025 Madeira Ultra Trail 100-miler. She also holds titles from UTMB (2022, 2024).
- Sarah Perry (UK): Had a breakthrough 2025 season, becoming the “last woman standing” at the 2025 Big’s Backyard Ultra World Championships in Tennessee, setting a new women’s world record of 95 laps (approx. 396 miles).
- Ruth Croft (New Zealand): Won the 2026 Tarawera by UTMB 102k (her third consecutive win) and the 2025 Transvulcania 100K.
- Jasmin Paris (UK): Made history in 2024 as the first woman to ever complete the Barkley Marathons within the time limit.