Courtney Dauwalter Biography: The Ultramarathon Legend Who Redefined Endurance
Courtney Dauwalter is an American ultramarathon runner and former teacher who was born on February 13, 1985. Dauwalter, widely recognised as one of the world’s top extreme trail runners, made history in 2023 by winning the Western States 100, the Hardrock 100, and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc all in the same year.
Courtney Dauwalter Biography
Dauwalter was born on February 13, 1985. She grew up in Hopkins, Minnesota, and competed in track, cross-country, and Nordic skiing during high school. During her high school career, she won the Minnesota state Nordic skiing championship four times.
She received a cross-country skiing scholarship to the University of Denver and studied biology before earning a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Mississippi in 2010 while participating in the Mississippi Teacher Corps.
She taught for several years, following in her mother’s footsteps, teaching biology, chemistry, and physical sciences to middle and high school students in the Denver region until transitioning to full-time professional running in 2017.
Career
In 2016, Dauwalter broke a course record at the Javelina Jundred 100K and won the Run Rabbit Run 100-mile event in 75 minutes. She also won the 2017 Run Rabbit Run, despite suffering temporary blindness in the final 12 miles. Dauwalter won the 2017 Moab 240 event in 2 days, 9 hours, and 59 minutes, placing first overall and more than ten hours ahead of the runner-up.
Dauwalter won the Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile race, in 2018 in 17 hours and 27 minutes. This was the race’s second-fastest female time. Dauwalter placed second overall and completed 67 laps in the Big’s Backyard Ultra in 2018, setting a women’s race record of 279.268 miles.
In addition, she placed second in the Tahoe 200, shattering the previous women’s course record by more than 18 hours. Dauwalter was crowned Ultra Runner of the Year by Ultrarunning Magazine in 2018 after winning nine out of twelve races, including two first-place finishes.
Dauwalter won the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in 2019 in 24 hours, 34 minutes, and 26 seconds, placing 21st overall. She also competed in the 2019 Western States but withdrew after 77 miles. Dauwalter competed for the United States at the IAU 24 Hour World Championship in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France, finishing 12th.
Dauwalter won the American division of Big Dog’s Ultra in 2020. She finished the event in 56 hours, 52 minutes, and 29 seconds after completing 68 circuits over 283.3 miles. She smashed the record for the longest distance covered by a female runner.
Dauwalter is sponsored by Salomon. She is noted for running in baggy basketball shorts and loose tops, which is rare for elite ultramarathoners. Dauwalter won the George Mallory Award in 2020 for pushing the boundaries of physical human achievement.
Dauwalter’s winning streak continued in 2024, when she won the Mt Fuji 100 Mile in Fujiyoshida, Japan, in 19:21:22, finishing third overall. She also won the Transgrancanaria in the Canary Islands, Spain, finishing the 126-kilometre race in 15:14:54. As of 2025, Salomon sponsored her.
Courtney Dauwalter UTMB 2025
Courtney Dauwalter, one of the greatest ultrarunners, placed 10th female and 64th overall at the UTMB 2025, despite a difficult course. Explore her achievements, interviews, and highlights from this historic occasion.
Courtney Dauwalter Husband
Courtney Dauwalter’s spouse is Kevin Schmidt, who allegedly did not run before meeting her. After years of crewing her races all over the world, Dauwalter has joined him in races like the Bear 100 in Utah. She has no children or pets.
Dauwalter resides in Leadville, Colorado, where he trains at elevations exceeding 10,000 feet. She is well-known for her upbeat attitude and sense of humour during races, as well as her easygoing approach to nutrition. Dauwalter is well-known for wearing baggy long shorts for comfort, even while racing.
She is also known for embracing the “Pain Cave”, a mental realm she refers to when approaching the most difficult stages of a race. She has stated that she has reframed the “Pain Cave” as a location she wishes to visit because it represents where true work and progress occur.
Dauwalter’s mother, Tracy, has also taken up ultrarunning; the two will compete in the Javelina Jundred 100 km race in Fountain Hills, Arizona, in 2023.
Courtney Dauwalter Net Worth
Courtney Dauwalter’s net worth is expected to range between $500,000 and $1 million. This amount includes her profits from ultramarathon races, sponsorships, and media appearances. Her success in the sport has greatly contributed to her financial standing, making her a renowned figure in the ultrarunning community.
Social Media
Instagram: @courtneydauwalter
