Ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter Targets Olympic Marathon Trials

Renowned ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter is chasing a new marathon personal record and a U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying mark this fall. She’s aiming for a 2:37 finish, a goal inspired by her experience at last year’s California International Marathon (CIM).

From Trails to Roads: A New Challenge

Dauwalter, known for her success in 100- to 250-mile races, switched to road marathons last fall. She lowered her personal best to 2:49:54 at the Twin Cities Marathon and then to 2:38:55 at CIM. At CIM, she was part of a pack of women chasing the Olympic Trials qualifying standard of 2:37:00.

She was on pace in the first half (1:18:33) but slowed in the second half (1:20:22), missing the mark by less than two minutes. “It’s insane what you can do in a pack like that versus what you could do by yourself,” Dauwalter said.

Ironman Curiosity and Marathon Focus

Dauwalter, 41, recently trained in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and is considering an Ironman triathlon next year. However, her immediate focus is the marathon.

Dauwalter’s training last year was a learning process, adapting to faster paces, nutrition, and pack running. Her ultradistance experience gives her an edge in endurance, but she’s working on speed. “For me, it’s just trying to get to that fast pace and being able to hold it,” she said.

Now based in Buena Vista, Colorado, at 7,900 feet, she might train at lower elevations for faster paces. The mental refresh of a new challenge has been key. “A new area where I had a lot of room to grow,” she said.

If she achieves a sub-2:37 at CIM, she’ll qualify for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in St. Louis. “That’s pretty special,” she said of the prospect.

Balancing Ultrarunning and Marathon Goals

After a summer of ultradistance races, including a second-place finish at the Cocodona 250 and a fourth win at the Hardrock 100, Dauwalter shifted her focus to marathon training. Despite dropping out of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc due to fatigue, she quickly resumed high-volume training weeks and faster road workouts.

Dauwalter’s training builds on her ultradistance experience, emphasizing endurance while targeting speed improvements. She acknowledges the challenge of maintaining a fast pace over 26 miles but is determined to refine this skill. Her move to Buena Vista, Colorado, at a lower altitude, may support her speed training, as she considers incorporating sessions at lower elevations to optimize her pace.

The Pain Cave and Beyond

Her experience at CIM last year, running with a pack of fast women, was a revelation. She found the collective momentum inspiring, allowing her to run faster than she could alone. This has motivated her to return to CIM on December 6, aiming to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Ironman Aspirations and Marathon Focus

While an Ironman triathlon is on the horizon, Dauwalter’s immediate focus remains the marathon. Her training in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, was not a vacation but a strategic move, as her sponsor, Salomon, will be the title sponsor of the Ironman World Championship in 2027.