In this new format, First & Last, we talked with two amazing women: Western States 100 first-place woman and female course record holder, Courtney Dauwalter, and the very last finisher, Jennifer St. Amand, who finished with just 21 seconds to spare. This new feature gives listeners insight into how WS100 unfolded for both runners who had two of the most compelling finishes at this year’s event. 

Dauwalter lives in Leadville, Colorado, and is a retired school teacher turned professional ultrarunner. Her running resume is nothing short of staggering with first-place finishes from around the US and abroad, including UTMB, Hardrock, Tahoe 200, Tarawera, Moab 240 and others. This interview was recorded just days before her record-setting performance and win at the Hardrock 100. 

St. Amand is from Dexter, Minnesota, a former social worker and now recruiter for the Minnesota Army National Guard. Jen has ten 100-mile-races under her belt, including seven sub-24 hour finishes with two of those under 19 hours at the Tunnel Hill 100 in Illinois.

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Thanks to our episode sponsor, HOKA

Photos: Paul Nelson

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