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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
"I wasn't expecting that": Veteran ultrarunner Stephanie Case conquers 100km ultramarathon while nursing
Stephanie Case (via Getty Images) Ultramarathon runner Stephanie Case didn't come to the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia 100-kilometer ultramarathon in North Wales with a goal of victory. Six months after giving birth and still nursing her daughter, Pepper, Stephanie Case was merely seeking to cross the finish line with strength—and to keep her infant well-fed in the process. But after having stopped several times to breastfeed throughout the punishing mountain race, Stephanie Case shocked the competition by taking the women's division finish line lead in Wales. Stephanie Case balances elite-level ultrarunning and new motherhood with victory in Wales Stephanie Case's account at the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB is not one of just reaching the finish line—it's a strong message about motherhood, resilience, and identity. Running the race a mere six months post-birth and still nursing, Case was afforded a special break at the 50-kilometer point to breastfeed her daughter. She had prepared for nursing at 20 km and 80 km checkpoints, but the extra permission enabled her to go on with the race without neglecting the needs of her child. Stephanie Case is a Canadian human rights lawyer, ultramarathon runner, and founder of the women's running advocacy organization Free to Run. She also worked for the United Nations in Afghanistan, Gaza, and South Sudan. Stephanie Case won a 100k ultramarathon 6 months postpartum and breastfeeding | DW Shorts Even after beginning in the third wave of runners because of a three-year break from competitive racing, Stephanie Case was making her way consistently up the field. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The irony? She wasn't even aware she had won until after the race was over. Her victory has since become a viral sensation, prompting universal acclaim—and some backlash. Case has been inundated with encouraging comments from women praising her for bucking attitudes towards motherhood. But not every reaction was favorable. Some criticized her decisions, suggesting new mothers need to stay at home, not venture out to conquer 100 km trail runs. 'That was a huge shock. I wasn't expecting that. It wasn't even on my radar that that could have happened,' Case told CNN Sports. 'It wasn't something I kind of strategized or planned ahead of time, but what it tells me is that we really aren't telling enough stories about new moms kind of doing all sorts of things, living full and complete, multi-dimensional lives.' Stephanie Case, who turns 43 this year, has run on six continents, but this victory, she says, is especially personal. Having overcome uncertainty, her return to the trails was not just a physical battle. It was a recovery of self. 'We all have mom guilt, but it's important for new moms to know that it's okay to prioritize the things that make them full and complete human beings because that will make them better parents in the long run because we are multidimensional," she added to CNN. 'Becoming a mom, it's one of the most physical and emotional transformations you can go through in your entire life. And so if there are things that you can hold on to—for me, it's running—that kind of remind you that everything that has changed, there are some things that remain constant, there are some parts of your identity that you haven't lost.' Also read: LeBron James is very 'intrigued' by different goaltending rules in basketball As Stephanie Case prepares to face her next test, the Hardrock 100 in Colorado, she continues to fuel a worldwide debate about what can happen when women are free to do it their way. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
She won a 100K ultramarathon through the mountains
When Stephanie Case entered a 100-kilometre (around 62 miles) ultrarunning race through the Welsh mountains, winning was far from her mind. Six months postpartum and still breastfeeding her infant daughter Pepper, Case's only real aim was to finish the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB in North Wales' Eryri National Park and make sure her daughter was fed, having received special permission from race organizers to stop at an additional point to do so. In fact, it wasn't until the end of the grueling race that Case – whose three-year hiatus from running meant that she set off in the third wave, far behind the elite runners – was informed that her finish time made her the winner of the women's competition. This, in spite of the fact that she had stopped to feed Pepper three times during the run, which was included in her total race time. 'That was a huge shock. I wasn't expecting that. It wasn't even on my radar that that could have happened,' Case told CNN Sports. Pictures of her taking part in the race in May have since gone viral, and the response has been overwhelming, according to the ultra runner. 'It wasn't something I kind of strategized or planned ahead of time, but what it tells me is that we really aren't telling enough stories about new moms kind of doing all sorts of things, living full and complete, multi dimensional lives.' Mixed reactions to success Case said she thinks the photos show that 'life doesn't stop when you become a mom, and it's just another layer to who you are as a person. Stephanie Case Stephanie Case stopped three times during the race to breastfeed her infant daughter. (Courtesy Rich Gill/Gilly Photography via CNN Newsource) 'We all have mom guilt, but it's important for new moms to know that it's okay to prioritize the things that make them full and complete human beings because that will make them better parents in the long run – because we are multi dimensional. She added to CNN: 'Becoming a mom, it's one of the most physical and emotional transformations you can go through in your entire life. And so if there are things that you can hold on to – for me, it's running – that kind of remind you that everything that has changed, there are some things that remain constant, there are some parts of your identity that you haven't lost.' Case, who turns 43 this month, started ultrarunning almost 18 years ago when, after finishing her first marathon, she was looking for another challenge. She got pretty good at it too, racing across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and Africa. But Case, an international human rights lawyer by day, took a three-year hiatus from the sport after suffering several miscarriages as she and her partner tried to have a child. 'I got some questions from people around whether it was the running that caused the miscarriage. And of course, there's no medical evidence, there's no science to back that up, but it did plant the seed of doubt in my head, and really changed my relationship with running,' she told CNN Sports. 'Running, instead of it being a source of stress relief and a source of joy for me, it turned into something quite different,' she explained. After Pepper's birth and getting the all clear from her doctor, Case started running again six weeks postpartum. 'It felt physically weird, strange. I thought my organs were going to fall out, but at the same time, I felt like a runner again. I felt like me again,' she explained. Starting so far back in the Ultra Trail Snowdonia, she said, was 'perhaps a blessing in disguise because it really took the pressure off. Starting the third wave kind of solidified to me that I couldn't have any performance goals because I was starting so far back.' Although the race already had stopping checkpoints at 20 km and 80 km, Case knew she would need to feed Pepper in between, so she requested and got permission to get assistance at the 50 km checkpoint. 'It meant that my partner, John, could only hand me Pepper. He couldn't help me with any of my bottles, with my pack, with anything else I needed to do with food for myself. 'I had to manage everything myself and also make sure that Pepper was taken care of. So it was a whole other layer of logistics that I had never experienced before. Pepper is used to kind of feeding mid-training runs, but we've never done it in a race situation,' she explained. 'It should be about choice' While Case has received many positive responses to her win, she has also received numerous 'misogynistic, paternalistic' comments. '(They were) saying: 'Does she spend any time with her baby? She should be at home. Why didn't she wait?' Comments about my looks or my age, really just trying to criticize anything that they saw me doing,' Case said. Other messages, she explained, came from moms 'who were quite worried that this image and this story was contributing to this idea of setting this impossibly high standard that women can't reach.' 'Some moms are exhausted and they're just trying to get through the day,' Case said. 'And so the idea that they not only have to be mom, but they also have to have a career, and they have to regain their fitness and now running ultra marathons and breastfeed just made them feel really bad about themselves, and I think that that's part of the patriarchal society that we live in, that we're taught to compete with one another. 'Everything we do as new moms, it becomes scrutinized and judged, and we just need the space to be able to navigate that journey on our own, to figure out what motherhood looks like for each of us, individually,' she added. 'For me, it means running 100k and, you know, doing all the things that make me happy and for others, it could be running a 5k or, you know, joining a book club, or, you know, something totally different.' Next up for Case is the Hardrock 100, a 100-mile run with 33,197 feet of climb and 33,197 feet of descent in Colorado in July. 'It should be about choice. I mean, that's the whole point. Women can do all of this if they want, if they have the support, if XYZ, fall into place. If the stars align, if they choose to go after that, then they should be provided the support and the encouragement and the resources to be able to pursue all the things that they want – but they don't have to.'
Daily Tribune
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Endurance Tested, Spirit Unshaken
TDT | Manama Trail Runners Take on Alpine Test Backed by the Bahrain Olympic Committee, the Bahrain Ultra Trail Runners (BUTR) team is set to participate in the internationally renowned Mozart 100 by UTMB, a demanding mountain ultra-marathon held annually in Salzburg, Austria. The trail running event is part of the global UTMB World Series, which is the official pathway to the prestigious UTMB Mont-Blanc, and this year's edition will welcome over 2,500 runners from around the world across various distance categories. The standout challenge will be the punishing 120km course with over 5,800 metres of vertical ascent. Bahrain's Best on the Mountain Stage The Bahrain team is composed of some of the Kingdom's most passionate endurance athletes, who specialise in long-distance mountain and trail running. The core team includes Hamad Mattar, Ahmed Kamal, Mohammed Zaman, Jassim Al Bastaki, and Amer Ibrahim — all competing in the Mozart 100. They are joined by Riyadh Rafie and Adam Jamal in the Mozart Ultra, while Saad Al Thabit and Hassanain Marhoon will also race in their respective categories. These athletes form part of BUTR — a homegrown community of Bahraini runners united by a shared love for trail endurance sports. The group has proudly represented Bahrain in previous international ultra-trail events, including other races within the UTMB circuit. A Route Known for Pain and Prestige The course weaves through steep climbs, wooded trails, and rugged mountain paths that demand elite conditioning and precise pacing. Organised by the UTMB World Series — the same group behind some of the world's toughest trail events in regions like the Andes, the Alps, and the Himalayas — the Mozart 100 is a critical stop for runners hoping to qualify for the UTMB Mont-Blanc in Chamonix, France, widely considered the pinnacle of ultra-trail racing. Global Challenge, National Pride For Bahraini runners, this race is a chance to show national pride and highlight Gulf athletes' endurance in a sport still finding its foothold locally. The team's participation is made possible through the Bahrain Olympic Committee's active support, reinforcing the Kingdom's ambition to feature more prominently across a broader range of international sporting disciplines.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Local hero Aqmal defends Janda Baik Ultra 100km title in brutal conditions
KUALA LUMPUR: National ultra trail-running ace Aqmal Adzmi showed no signs of slowing down as he successfully defended his 100km title at the Janda Baik Ultra, which drew nearly 2,000 participants from 19 countries over the weekend in Bentong. Aqmal clocked 18:33:54s to take top honours in the men's 100km category, holding off a spirited challenge from Japan's Takio Fukumoto (18:57:53), while Zulhusni Ibrahim (19:55:14) completed the podium. "It was much more challenging this year with added distance, elevation, and tricky conditions due to the rain," said Aqmal. "But I enjoyed every bit of it, and winning again here in my hometown of Bentong makes it even more meaningful." Aqmal, who has family ties in nearby Janda Baik, described the race as "a personal affair", and took pride in seeing his "kampung" play host to a major endurance event that showcased the region's natural beauty. "I'm proud that my 'kampung' has an event like this. It really highlights what Janda Baik has to offer — lush forests, stunning scenery, and tough, technical trails. Many fellow runners told me this is probably one of the toughest trail races in Malaysia, and I fully agree." Aqmal also revealed that Janda Baik Ultra was only his second competitive outing of the year, as he's carefully managing his schedule in preparation for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain this September. "I'm trying to stay injury-free and build up properly for Spain. It'll be my second time representing Malaysia at the world meet after competing in Austria in 2023, so I want to give it my best shot," he said. In the women's 100km race, Malaysia's Poo Lai Kuen conquered the trail in 25:55:01, ahead of China's Long Fengju (26:57:44) and Nor Shahirah Nasir (29:41:18). The two-day event, held at the Cherengin Hills Convention and Spa Resort in Janda Baik, also saw spirited contests across the 75km, 50km, 30km, 14km, and 5km categories – each offering its own blend of scenic views, elevation challenges, and unpredictable terrain. Among the other standout performers were Yusof Abdul Manan (13:45:29) and Chiew Mei Theng (18:56:48) in the 75km race, as well as Khairulamirin Kamarudin (7:31:57) and Jenny Lem (10:56:41) in the 50km. Adding to the prestige of the Janda Baik Ultra, participants also earned valuable points toward the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) and Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) Index — both of which contribute to global rankings and qualification pathways for elite-level trail races worldwide. RESULTS (Overall top three) Men's 100km: 1. Aqmal Adzmi 18:33:54s, 2. Takio Fukumoto (Jpn) 18:57:53, 3. Zulhusni Ibrahim 19:55:14. Women's 100km: 1. Poo Lai Kuen 25:55:01, 2. Long Fengju (Chn) 26:57:44, 3. Nor Shahirah Nasir 29:41:18. Men's 75km: 1. Yusof Abdul Manan 13:45:29, 2. Akmal Mansur 14:01:52, 3. Mohd Hasim 14:10:33. Women's 75km: 1. Chiew Mei Theng 18:56:48, 2. Kam Sin Yee 19:53:18, 3. Loo Mun Chui 19:57:12. Men's 50km: 1. Khairulamirin Kamarudin 7:31:57, 2. Amierul Amin Shamsul Kamal 7:31:58, 3. Johari Mohd Ali 8:19:29.
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
Meet the women running remote mountain refuges in the wilds of the French Alps
Although mountain refuges have existed in the Alps since ancient times, they started to multiply in the 19th century with the rise in popularity of alpinism. These huts vary in terms of the shelter they offer passing mountaineers but they are always in remote locations, at dizzying altitudes and accessible only by foot. Like me, you probably picture a mountain refuge as a tumbledown stone-built building run by gnarly old hermit with a beard down to his knees, but I was surprised to find out recently that working as a refuge guardian is a role that is increasingly being filled by women. To find out more about what it takes to live in these isolated huts and understand what attracts women to this traditionally male-dominated role, I laced up my walking boots and travelled to the Vallée des Belleville in Savoie where three out of four refuges are now run by women. Refuge Le Nant Brun: Amandine and Violaine My first job upon arrival in the valley was to find out what defines a mountain refuge. 'A place has to be inaccessible to emergency vehicles by road for at least six months a year in order to qualify as a refuge,' Violaine, co-guardian of the Refuge Nant Brun tells me. I look out from the terrace of the traditional alpine house at the soaring green peaks above and the babbling stream below; it's hard to imagine it as a remote outpost in winter. However, the walking route I'd taken through the woods to reach the refuge is snow-covered in winter to the extent that locals decamp from the village entirely because the road through it is an avalanche corridor. Violaine and Amandine opened the refuge last winter. It was a tough season that involved walking with snowshoes and pulling supplies on a sledge each day. Neither did it generate enough trade. For now, the plan is to open from June to the end of September and provide refreshment and overnight stays to hikers, holidaymakers and locals. This isn't Violaine's first refuge rodeo. She has worked in very remote places over the years and says she'd still be doing so if she didn't have children. 'I love waking up each morning in the mountains and the sense of remoteness,' she says. 'In Courchevel, it was very far from the road and if there was accident, there was only a helicopter for rescue.' Violaine and Amandine take it in turns to stay overnight in Nant Brun. It's tough to combine with family life, especially for Violaine whose husband is a shepherd and goes south with this flock for the summer months. Amandine insists that life in a refuge is not as solitary as it sounds: 'People think it's lonely but it's not, especially if you are on a route like the Tour de Tarentaise or the UTMB,' she reveals. 'Often, you have a team and there are visitors every night so it's quite social. ' Refuge Lac du Lou: Coralie and Marie My senses are in overdrive when I begin my second refuge hike; the squeak of a marmot on the left, the taste of blueberries plucked from bushes to my right and the smell of wild thyme ahead. The path from Les Menuires to Lac du Lou is narrow and snakes around the mountain. It's occasionally broken by the crossing of a wooden bridge; other times, it's simply a scramble across a stream. After an hour, I arrive at a beautiful stone and slate house sitting at the end of a turquoise glistening lake. Coralie and Marie are two ex-opticians who met at work in Chamonix and decided to answer the call of the mountains and run a refuge together. In winter, Lac du Lou is accessible by snowshoe, ski touring or off-piste alpine skiing from the top of the Pointe de la Masse gondola, but there's no access by car or groomed pistes. Before coming here, the friends worked in a very remote refuge in Switzerland. According to them, women-run places are becoming more common, even in high-mountain areas. I asked the friends about safety and whether they ever feel vulnerable up here at night. 'We feel safe here but, to honest, we felt safer in previously more isolated refuges where the only danger was the weather,' says Marie. 'Here, we sometimes hear engines of four-wheel quads or motorbikes and we don't know who's out there. That's scarier than no noise at all.' As Coralie shows me around the beautifully furnished dormitories, we talk about the skills needed to keep a refuge running for overnight stays and diners. 'I think women are good at running refuges because they can do everything; it's work that was traditionally done by women, like cleaning and cooking, so we are pretty self-sufficient really,' she says. Refuge du Trait d'Union: Vivianne My final refuge visit was to meet Vivianne. To reach her, I joined a night hike with a guide called Gilles to get there. We meet on the main road in a hamlet called St Marcel and walk straight up the hillside, zig-zagging through high grasses and wild flowers. It's the golden hour when we arrive in a utopia in a clearing on the side of the hill. While I gawp at the wood-fired sauna with a view to die for, one of the group is spontaneously compelled to hug a big old gnarly tree in front of the house. 'It's powerful at the moment,' says host Vivianne, by way of introduction. Gathering us in a circle of deckchairs around a firepit, she serves us local beer, kir and peanuts, before ushering us inside for a feast of diot sausages and crozets pasta in a bechamel sauce followed by velvety chocolate puddings and shots of génépi. When Vivianne and her husband bought the place, it was run down. The couple decided to renovate it together. 'It was only for us,' she explains, 'for spending time with family and friends. It was just for that.' In 2016, Vivianne's husband died suddenly and for a while, all dreams of a happy retirement disappeared. With time, Vivianne returned and now she's happy to welcome guests – skiers in winter and hikers and stargazers in summer – to her wonderful place. 'That's why I called it Trait d'Union; it means hyphen – linking my life before to my life afterwards,' she tells me. Running a refuge is physically demanding, especially in winter when you have to manage heavy snowfall and ice, as well as all the other jobs. For Vivianne, however, it's more than worth it. 'I wanted to give sense to this place after he had gone – and I realised that welcoming people here and making sure they have a good time was a way to keep his memory alive,' she says. Like the other female guardians I meet, Vivianne says she feels safer here in the winter when access by road is completely cut. She has her dog and a co-worker who come to help in the daytimes, and she's happy. She stands to clear the table. 'Physically, we women may not have the strength of men, but we really know how to welcome people,' she winks. I couldn't agree more.
