Hopkins native a trailblazer among 'ultra-runners'

(KMSP) - 32-year-old Hopkins native Courtney Dauwalter isn’t just winning races in the women’s category, she’s beating all the men too.

On October 15, she won the Moab 240-mile endurance race outright – the second place finisher, a man, was 10 hours behind.

Fox 9’s Kelcey Carlson spoke to Dauwalter via Skype from her home, now in Colorado. While Dauwalter never set out to be a trailblazer for women, she knows she’s making a valid point every time she races.

“In these ultra-marathons, I think women and men are on the same playing field, said Dauwalter. "If there’s someone in front of me in a race, I don’t care if it’s a man or woman, I want to catch up and beat them. Why not set lofty goals?”

Dauwalter holds the American Women’s record for a 24-hour race and Trail Runner Magazine reports that Dauwalter has crossed the finish line as the overall winner in eight races.  

She credits her upbringing in Minnesota and her coaches at Hopkins High for giving her, her grit.

“I feel really lucky to be raised in Minnesota where the culture is that you get outside and enjoy the day no matter what the weather,” she said.

She hopes to keep doing these ultra-races as long as her body will hold on.

 “I love a lot of things about this sport," said Dauwalter. "The physical and mental challenges and it continues to be a challenge to break through the mental pieces and I think it’s fun to have that challenge.”