Rachel Entrekin became the first woman to win the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon outright after finishing the race on May 6, 2024 [1].
Entrekin's victory marks a significant breakthrough for women in ultrarunning, as she outperformed the entire mixed field of men and women in one of the most grueling endurance tests in the U.S. [2].
The 34-year-old American runner covered more than 250 miles [3] through the Arizona desert. She completed the distance in 56 hours, nine minutes, and 48 seconds [4], a time that established a new course record [5].
This performance was seven hours faster than the previous record [6]. Throughout the event, Entrekin maintained an average pace of 13:20 minutes per mile [7].
Physical endurance played a critical role in the victory. Reports indicate Entrekin slept for a total of 19 minutes during the entire race [8].
Entrekin's achievement is the first time a female athlete has topped the overall field in this specific event [2]. The race is known for its extreme conditions and distance, requiring athletes to navigate challenging desert terrain over several days [9].
“Rachel Entrekin became the first woman to win the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon outright”
Entrekin's victory challenges traditional perceptions of endurance capabilities between genders in ultra-distance racing. By not only winning the women's category but beating the entire field and shattering the overall course record, she demonstrates that at extreme distances, recovery and mental fortitude can override traditional physiological advantages associated with shorter races.
