A Record-Breaking Performance

Rachel Entrekin has etched her name into the history books by becoming the first woman to win the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon outright. While she had previously dominated the women's category in the last two iterations of the event, her performance this Wednesday marked a milestone as she outperformed the entire field of male and female competitors.

Starting the journey in Black Canyon City, Arizona, earlier this week, Entrekin powered through the demanding 253.3-mile course. She crossed the finish line in Flagstaff with an official time of 56:09:48, receiving a hero's welcome from spectators. Her emotional finish was a culmination of over two days of relentless effort.

«I think I basically wept from the second I got off the single track until I crossed the finish line,» Entrekin shared in a post-race interview.

Dominance on the Trail

Entrekin’s performance was nothing short of legendary. Not only did she secure her third consecutive women’s title, but her finish time surpassed the previous overall course record of 58:47:18 by more than two hours. Her strategy included brief moments of rest, which she playfully described as «dirt naps»—comprising only minutes of sleep throughout the entire ordeal.

Throughout the race, she was supported by a dedicated team of six, including her parents, Carol and Robin. She managed to maintain her lead from the 60-mile mark until the very end, ultimately holding off fellow ultra-running star Kilian Korth, who finished second.


About the Cocodona 250

The Cocodona 250 is an intense annual endurance race held in central Arizona. Despite the name, the course spans 253.3 miles of challenging terrain, taking runners from the low desert into the high mountains. The race is defined by extreme variations in altitude:

  • Elevation range: 1,996 to 9,241 feet.
  • Total elevation gain: 38,791 feet.
  • Total descent: 33,884 feet.

As the race continues for other participants—who have a 125-hour cutoff to finish—Entrekin’s victory stands as a testament to her elite status in the world of ultramarathon running.