World Record Set in 100-Mile Running
Ashley Paulson set a new women's 100-mile world record at the 2026 Jackpot 100 Mile, finishing in 12:19:34. This achievement redefines what's possible in ultramarathon running and stands as a benchmark for endurance athletes worldwide.
- Paulson's record-setting time of 12 hours, 19 minutes, and 34 seconds surpassed the previous women's 100-mile world record by more than 17 minutes. The prior record of 12:37:04 was set by Ireland's Caitriona Jennings in November 2025 at the Tunnel Hill 100 Miler. - To achieve this feat, the 44-year-old from St. George, Utah, maintained an average pace of 7 minutes and 21 seconds per mile over the 100-mile distance. - The 2026 Jackpot 100 Mile, held in Henderson, Nevada, also served as the USATF 100 Mile National Championships. The course consisted of 84 laps around a 1.19-mile loop at Cornerstone Park. - This is not Paulson's first major achievement in ultrarunning; she is also the women's course record holder at the notoriously difficult Badwater 135 ultramarathon and won the event outright in 2023. - An accomplished and versatile endurance athlete, Paulson was a professional triathlete and has completed over 130 marathons, including qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. - Paulson finished more than two hours ahead of the next female competitor and was the second overall finisher in the race, behind men's winner Rajpaul Pannu.
