Rachel Entrekin has made history by becoming the first woman to win the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon outright, defeating a field of elite male and female runners. The 34-year-old American crossed the finish line in a record time of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 48 seconds, shattering her previous best of 63:50:55 and breaking the overall course record of 58:47:18.
Entrekin, who had previously won the women's division twice, described her emotional finish: "I think I basically wept from the second I got off the single track until I crossed the finish line," she told Run after the race.
Unique Race Strategy: Naps and Dog Petting
Throughout the grueling 253-mile course in Arizona, Entrekin employed unconventional tactics. According to Canadian Trail Running, she paused to pet dogs along the route. She also took strategic naps: "I slept five minutes, then seven minutes, then seven minutes," she said. "My goal was to only have dirt naps." Her support crew of six, including her parents, assisted her during the race.
Background and Motivation
Entrekin did not participate in team sports in high school due to self-doubt about her abilities. She began running seriously in 2012 while studying exercise science at college and earned her doctorate in 2016. When asked about the extreme physical and mental demands, she told the Madison Record in 2025: "Why put my body and mind through such stressful exercise you may ask? Because it's fun and you get to explore so much stuff while you're in these races as the biggest hook for me is I see lots of the world in a short time frame."
The Cocodona 250: A Daunting Challenge
The Cocodona 250, despite its name, covers 253 miles through Arizona's desert terrain. Runners face 38,791 feet of elevation gain, with a high point of 9,241 feet, and must contend with extreme desert conditions. It is recognized as one of the world's toughest ultramarathons.
Tragedy During the Race
This year's event was marked by tragedy when a runner died on Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency. The race continued in the runner's honor, with organizers asking participants and their crews "to carry the memory of this runner with you on the trail."
