For three years, fans have been begging for it. The two best female ultrarunners on the planet, racing the same race, on the same day, at the same time. Not splitting up the calendar. Not trading course records from a distance. Actually competing.
It’s happening. July 10, 2026. Silverton, Colorado. Mark it.
Katie Schide arrives riding the best form of her career. Her 2025 was ridiculous: Hardrock 100 win in sub 26 hours, breaking Dauwalter’s course record. Third at Sierre Zinal, one of the most competitive short course trail races in the world. World Championship gold in the Long Trail 82K, dominating from start to finish. She’s the defending Hardrock champion and she’s already beaten Courtney’s time on the course.
Meanwhile, Courtney Dauwalter, the consensus greatest female ultrarunner of all time, is coming off a season that was… human. A DNF at Cocodona 250. Tenth at UTMB. A reminder that even legends have off days.
But anyone counting out Dauwalter hasn’t been paying attention. She’s a three time Hardrock champion who knows every inch of that course. She’s 40 now, but age hasn’t slowed Ludovic Pommeret, who won Hardrock at 50. And Dauwalter has a habit of showing up when it matters most.
Same start line. Same 100 miles through the San Juan Mountains. 33,000 feet of climbing. Highest altitude point of any major 100 miler in the world. Clockwise direction this year.
Schide runs with surgical precision. Dauwalter runs on vibes and pure pain tolerance. Schide thrives on technical terrain. Dauwalter has built her legend on refusing to break when everyone else does.
Five months out. Both athletes deep in their build.