Katie Shedd and Courtney Dowwalter – the queens finally have a showdown

For three years, fans have been begging for it. The two best ultra runners on the planet, racing the same race, on the same day, at the same time. Do not split the calendar. Do not trade course records from a distance. Competition indeed.

It happens. July 10, 2026. Silverton, Colorado. Mark it.

Katie Shedd arrives riding in the best shape of her career. 2025 was ironic: Hardrock 100 wins in less than 26 hours, breaking Dowwalter’s record. Third place in the Sierre Zinal, one of the most competitive short track races in the world. World Championship gold in the Long Trail 82K, dominant from start to finish. She is the defending Hardrock champion and has already beaten Courtney’s time on the course.

Meanwhile, Courtney Dawalter, the greatest ultra-runner of all time, is coming off a season that was…human. DNF at Cocodona 250. 10th at UTMB. A reminder that even legends have days off.

But anyone counting Dowwalter wasn’t paying attention. She’s a three-time Hardrock Champion and knows every inch of the track. She’s 40 now, but aging hasn’t slowed down Ludovic Pommeret, who won Hardrock at 50. Dowwalter has a habit of showing up when it matters most.

Same starting line, same 100 miles through the San Juan Mountains. 33,000 feet of climbing. The highest elevation point of any major 100 miler in the world. Clockwise this year.

Sheedy works with surgical precision. Dauwalter works on feelings and pure tolerance of pain. Schide thrives on technical terrain. Dauwalter has built her legend on refusing to break down when everyone else does.

Five months out. Both athletes are deep in their build.