American ultrarunner Ashley Paulson has established a new women’s world record for the 100-mile distance. Competing in Henderson, she crossed the finish line in 12:19:34, shaving more than 17 minutes off the previous best mark.
Record-Breaking Performance at the Jackpot 100 Mile
This historic achievement took place during the Jackpot Ultra Running Festival in Henderson, Nevada, which hosted the USATF 100 Mile Road Championships. Paulson broke the existing women’s world record, held since 2025 by Ireland’s Caitriona Jennings, by over 17 minutes. To reach this milestone, the runner maintained an average pace of 7:34 per mile throughout the entire distance.
The race was held on a certified 1.19-mile loop around a lake in Cornerstone Park. Paulson started aggressively, holding a pace near 7:00 per mile for the first 20 miles. While her speed dipped slightly at the halfway point after approximately six hours, the 30-minute cushion she built early on allowed her to safely secure the record. Weather conditions were favorable for the runners, offering cool temperatures, though winds picked up as the day progressed.
A Career Defined by Elite Success
Based in St. George, Utah, Ashley Paulson is currently one of the most decorated athletes in ultrarunning. she gained international fame through her performances at the legendary Badwater 135, widely considered one of the world’s toughest footraces. In 2022, she set the women’s course record with a time of 24:09:34, finishing third overall. A year later, in July 2023, Paulson shocked the community by winning the Badwater 135 outright in the open category.
Her 2023 time of 21:44:35 was nearly two and a half hours faster than her own record from the previous year. Paulson became the first woman in a decade to win the event in back-to-back years, beating the top male finisher by more than 20 minutes. She trains under the guidance of renowned coach Ryan Hall, which Badwater organizers cite as the foundation of her exceptional physical condition. Beyond Death Valley, Paulson has triumphed in races such as the Bigfoot 200 Mile (2025) and has multiple victories at the Zion 100 Mile.
Navigating Career Controversies
Paulson’s path to records has not been without scrutiny. In March 2016, the runner accepted a six-month sanction from USADA for an anti-doping violation. Tests revealed the presence of Ostarine; however, an investigation confirmed the substance came from a contaminated supplement, leading to a reduced penalty. Another incident occurred in 2018 at the Snow Canyon Half Marathon, where Paulson was disqualified after taking a wrong turn and shortening the course by 0.14 miles.
Due to these past events, her 2022 Badwater record underwent rigorous verification by independent experts. Derek Murphy of Marathon Investigation conducted a detailed analysis of GPS data and GPX files, finding no evidence of foul play. Badwater Race Director Chris Kostman has also frequently defended her, emphasizing that Paulson is a world-class athlete with extraordinary talent. Her versatility is further proven by her marathon personal best of 2:40:07, set during the 2020 Olympic Trials in Atlanta.
A New Benchmark for Flat Ultramarathons
This 100-mile world record confirms that Ashley Paulson is one of the most dominant figures on the global ultra scene. The result in Henderson sets a new benchmark for competition on flat courses. The achievement now awaits official ratification by the International Association of Ultrarunners.
