In today’s RunUltra Update: Katharina Hartmuth came within 75 minutes of winning the Tor des Géants outright, while the final three runners at a UK Backyard Ultra were all women for the first time on record. Elsewhere, the Dragon’s Back Race completed its first edition under Ultra X and Michelle Leduc set a 325km unsupported FKT.
Header image: The Dragon’s Back, Joel Jameson Photography/Ultra X
Hartmuth Finishes Third Overall at Tor des Géants
Germany’s Katharina Hartmuth completed the TOR330 in 67:10:09, cutting 12:00:31 from her own women’s mark and becoming the first woman to finish in under 70 hours.
The single-stage race covered approximately 336km and 24,000m of ascent around Italy’s Aosta Valley. Reports said Hartmuth got about 15 minutes of sleep before finishing third overall, only 1:14:47 behind winner Jiaju Zhao.
Kailas FUGA’s Zhao became the first Chinese winner and set an overall course record of 65:55:22. Jonathan Schindler was second in 66:55:06.
Women Are the Final Three at Rasselbock Backyard Ultra plus a New FKT in Canada
Becky Atkinson, Hayley Wilson and Hollie Jones were the final three runners at the Rasselbock Backyard Ultra at Derbyshire’s Hardwick Estate. Organisers believe it is the first recorded instance of women occupying all three final positions at a UK Backyard Ultra.
Atkinson was the last person standing, with Wilson recording the assist.
Atkinson completed 40 hourly loops, covering approximately 268km (166.4 miles) on her first attempt at the format. Women made up 21% of the 141-runner field.
Michelle Leduc also set the women’s unsupported FKT on Ontario’s roughly 325km Rideau Trail. She travelled from Ottawa to Kingston in 4 days, 8 hours, 54 minutes and 27 seconds, just weeks after completing the 505km Last Annual Vol State.
Smith and Turner Win the Dragon’s Back Race
Danny Smith led the six-day Dragon’s Back Race from its opening stage, winning in 46:59:52. Isobel Turner moved through the women’s field to finish in 67:46:19.
The 380km route from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle includes 16,400m of ascent. Of 210 starters from 20 nations, 53 completed the full course and another 63 finished the flexible Hatchling format.
This was the first edition under Ultra X, which acquired the event after Ourea Events entered administration. New shorter formats included Dragon’s Fire, where RunUltra’s Bryony Shircore won the women’s race and placed second overall. Entries for 2027 open on 27 September. Bryony and co-founder of Ultra X Sam Heward will be joining the RunUltra podcast soon.
Hyrox Rule Change Echoes Comrades Incident
Joanna Wietrzyk’s Hyrox win in Beijing prompted a wider debate after she lost control of her bowels but continued racing. Hyrox subsequently added a contamination clause allowing a race director to withdraw an athlete on medical grounds, although Wietrzyk’s victory remained on the leaderboard.
The incident invited comparison with George Kusche’s Comrades Marathon victory in June. Kusche also lost control of his bowels during the closing stages and later said stopping had not been an option.
The comparison highlights a distinction between endurance racing on open roads and a multi-station indoor event where athletes share equipment and the competition floor. Kusche’s decision primarily affected his own race; the Hyrox incident raised additional questions about hygiene, medical intervention and who should decide when an athlete must stop.
Running Communities Face Two Losses
South African clubs held tribute runs for Elizabeth Moselakgomo after the 38-year-old runner was found dead near Johannesburg. Police are investigating several deaths around Kempton Park and have urged women not to run by themselves in secluded locations.
The family of Canadian trail runner Kalie McCrystal also said evidence suggested she fell while descending the Matterhorn. An extensive search had not found her, according to the family statement published by Athletics Canada.
This Weekend’s Racing
- Hardmoors 60
- Chiltern Wonderland 50
- Peak District Challenge
- Ranger Ultras’ Yorkshire 3 Peaks 70/100km Ultra
- Chiltern Hills Backyard Ultra
- Ranger Ultras’ Pen-y-Ghent Mountain 50km Ultra
- Maverick Lakes X Trail
- Grand Raid du Finistère
