Woman 'sets new world record' in 50-mile ultramarathon
A 37-year-old female athlete has 'set a new world record' at the Tunnel Hill Ultramarathon.
Courtney Olsen of Bellingham, Washington finished the 50-mile race in 5:31:56, knocking eight minutes off the existing official world record of 5:40:18. The latter was set by fellow American Ann Trason in 1991.
The event took place in Vienna, Illinois, and after the race Olsen said she had been laser focused on beating the record, fully believing it was possible when entering the race.
She added that she had been thinking about how to break the record for years, and had run a few ultras that had boosted her belief that she could do it. After taking the lead at the Tunnel Hill 30-mile mark, she realised the record was within reach as she hit the final 10 miles of the race.
Olsen has built up a formidable reputation in recent years. She helped the USA win the team title at the 2022 IAU 100K Championships, and in 2023, she won the Bellingham Bay Marathon, before finishing third at this year’s 86K Comrades Marathon in South Africa.
Her record will be officially confirmed once verified by the International Association of Ultrarunners. For their part, the United States Association of Track and Field recognised Olsen as their 'Athlete of the Week'. Next up, Olsen will be representing the USA at the 100K World Championships event in December.
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