Singletrack Ruth Croft | 2025 UTMB Champion (Interview)
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Aug 31, 2025 Ruth Croft, the Professional trail and ultra runner, recently crowned the 2025 UTMB champion, shares her journey to success. She reflects on the challenges of managing post-race chaos and the resilience shaped by her upbringing in remote New Zealand. Ruth discusses the joy of natural running surfaces compared to synthetic tracks and the importance of mindfulness in daily life. She also emphasizes structured training, personal intuition, and the support of the running community in overcoming the mental and physical trials of ultra running.
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Remote New Zealand Upbringing
- Ruth Croft grew up in a remote New Zealand coal-mining region with about 36,000 people.
- She describes a rugged, resilient community that shaped her grounded outlook on life and running.
Running With A Local Legend
- Ruth ran long with Eddie Gray, an older local legend who still ran fast and simply loved the sport.
- That companionship grounded her and reminded her running's joy beyond elite spectacle.
Use Vipassana To Build Emotional Space
- Do Vipassana to build awareness and learn to respond rather than react to emotions.
- Ruth says the practice created space to observe feelings and choose measured responses.