Ruth Croft

Ruth Croft, a professional ultrarunner from New Zealand and the 2025 UTMB Champion, shares her journey to victory at one of trail running's biggest events. She discusses the strategic decisions she made during the race and the mental and physical challenges she faced. The conversation delves into the evolution of competitive racing, the crucial role of coaching, and innovative training strategies, including the fun side of recovery, like celebrating with peanut butter whiskey. It's an inspiring peek into the world of elite trail running!

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.

In this intriguing discussion, Hayden Hawks, the 2024 Ultra Runner of the Year, shares insights on his record-breaking run at Black Canyon. Lottie Brinks, a Hoka-sponsored ultrarunner, reflects on her competitive spirit and highlights from the CCC. Kiwi legend Ruth Croft discusses her past wins at Tarawera and the significance of personal growth in racing. The trio emphasizes the blend of joy and competition in ultra running, as well as the supportive community around them, especially with exciting upcoming races in New Zealand.