Rachel Entrekin has etched her name in the history books by becoming the first woman to win the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon outright, defeating a field that included elite male competitors. The 34-year-old American crossed the finish line in a record time of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 48 seconds, shattering the previous overall record of 58:47:18.
A Historic Victory
Entrekin, who had previously won the women's division twice, expressed overwhelming emotion after her triumph. "I think I basically wept from the second I got off the single track until I crossed the finish line," she told Run. Her previous best time, set last year, was 63 hours, 50 minutes, and 55 seconds.
Unconventional Breaks and Support
Throughout the grueling race, Entrekin took unconventional breaks. According to Canadian Trail Running, she stopped to pet dogs along the course. She also managed sleep in short bursts. "I slept five minutes, then seven minutes, then seven minutes," she said. "My goal was to only have dirt naps." She was supported by a crew of six, including her parents.
From Non-Athlete to Champion
Entrekin did not participate in team sports in high school, believing she wasn't good enough. However, she began running seriously in 2012 while studying exercise science at university, eventually earning her doctorate in 2016. Reflecting on her motivation, she told the Madison Record in 2025, "Why put my body and mind through such stressful exercise you may ask? Because it's fun and you get to explore so much stuff while you're in these races. The biggest hook for me is I see lots of the world in a short time frame."
The Cocodona 250 Challenge
Despite its name, the Cocodona 250 covers 253 miles through Arizona's challenging terrain. Runners face 38,791 feet of elevation gain, with a high point of 9,241 feet, and must endure desert conditions. This year's race was marked by tragedy when a runner died on Tuesday after a medical emergency. The race continued in the runner's honor, with organizers asking participants "to carry the memory of this runner with you on the trail."
