Don’t have time to read? Listen to the podcast about Courtney Dauwalter here.
If you’re even remotely interested in ultrarunning, there’s one name you’ve likely heard time and time again—Courtney Dauwalter. Arguably the hottest name in the sport right now, she’s an athlete who defies expectations, pushes boundaries, and makes the impossible look almost effortless. And now, as she takes centre stage in A Team Sport at the Banff Mountain Film Festival, we will get an even closer look at the mindset and resilience that make her one of the greatest endurance athletes of all time.
A Natural-Born Competitor
Courtney’s journey to ultrarunning prowess wasn’t a straight path. After being an accomplished runner and Nordic skier in her youth, she earned a scholarship to the University of Denver for competitive cross country skiing. But even during her skiing days, running was always her first love.
“In junior high and high school, I started focusing more on cross country and track and I found that I really loved being able to push myself in races,” she says.
After university, Courtney worked as a middle and high school teacher in Denver, Colorado. But her passion for running never faded. In 2012, she took on her first 160 kilometre race, and the rest is history.
Though she was already an impressive athlete, 2016 was the year that truly launched Courtney to the world stage. She shattered the course record at the Javelina Jundred 100K by nearly an hour, then dominated the Run Rabbit Run 160 kilometre race, finishing 75 minutes ahead of her closest competitor. The following year, she left the comfort of her teaching career behind to chase her passion for ultrarunning full-time and hasn’t looked back since.
The Legend of Moab 386
One of Courtney’s most jaw-dropping performances came at the Moab 386 in 2017. This gruelling 386-kilometre race through the unforgiving Utah desert tests every ounce of an athlete’s endurance, with extreme temperatures, technical terrain, and an elevation gain equivalent to climbing Mount Everest. Most competitors take anywhere from three to five days to complete it. Courtney? She did it in just two days, nine hours, and 59 minutes—finishing a staggering 10 hours ahead of the second-place runner! That’s just mindblowing
Breaking the Mould: Shorts, Snacks, and Smiles
For someone who competes in some of the world’s toughest races, Courtney’s approach to training and racing is refreshingly unconventional. She doesn’t follow a strict diet, nor does she stick to a rigid training plan. Instead, she listens to her body and fuels up on whatever she craves, whether that’s Honey Stinger waffles, quesadillas, or even Maccas double cheeseburgers.
“Before races, I go for anything that is convenient. Often, that means pizza or a Chipotle burrito bowl. During races, I stick with my tried-and-true race foods – Honey Stinger waffles/chews, Tailwind nutrition snacks and mashed potatoes – unless the race is really long. In races over 100 miles, I have added in quesadillas, pancakes, noodle soup, and McDonald’s double cheeseburgers. Post-race, the first thing I like to have is a beer. And after that, nachos!”
And then there’s her race-day look. In a sport dominated by high-tech gear, she’s instantly recognisable for her baggy basketball-style shorts, tee and beaming smile. “It’s pure comfort!” she laughs. “I have always preferred longer shorts, and found that in ultramarathons they are still my chosen length.”
A Team Sport: The Film You Can’t Miss
Now, in A Team Sport, fans will get an intimate look at what makes Courtney tick—both as an athlete and as a person. The film captures her relentless drive, her infectious enthusiasm, and the community that surrounds her in the sport of ultrarunning. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to compete in some of the world’s hardest races, this is your chance to find out.
Courtney Dauwalter is an absolute inspiration, a game-changer, and quite possibly superhuman- we’re still figuring that one out.
Don’t miss A Team Sport at the Banff Mountain Film Festival—it’s your chance to witness greatness up close.
Tickets on sale now at https://banffaustralia.com.au/tickets/
