Rachel Entrekin Wins 250-Mile Race on 19 Minutes of Sleep

Rachel Entrekin just proved that the impossible is possible, running 250 miles across Arizona in record time with only 19 minutes of sleep and a whole lot of mashed potatoes.

The 34-year-old American finished the grueling Cocodona 250 ultramarathon in 56 hours, nine minutes, and 48 seconds. She didn't just win the women's race. She beat everyone, setting an overall course record that had never been broken.

The race route stretched from the Sonoran Desert through Sedona and up into Flagstaff's hills, climbing a total of 38,800 feet. Most people can't imagine running a regular marathon, but Entrekin conquered a distance nearly 10 times longer across some of the most challenging terrain in America.

Her fueling strategy was refreshingly simple. "Mashed potatoes are the best," she told BBC Sport the morning after her win. "You get tired of chewing and you don't want to expend any extra energy doing that."

She grabbed five minutes of sleep at mile 200, then took two seven-minute naps on the floor around mile 230. After barely sleeping for more than two days straight, she still had enough energy left for a sprint finish.

A six-person support team including her parents cheered her along the way. This marked her third consecutive Cocodona victory, though her previous wins were in the women's category only.

What makes Entrekin's achievement even more remarkable is her philosophy about competition. "Men and women obviously have very different skillsets but in an event like this, it comes down to so much more than just fitness," she explained. "Your attitude and your ability to combat stress is so important."

That mindset came from hard lessons learned. After her 2024 race, Entrekin felt disappointed despite winning. "I didn't like the person that emerged from that challenge," she admitted. She returned in 2025 determined to be someone she could stand behind at the finish line, regardless of placement.

Her training approach breaks all conventional rules. The former physiotherapist doesn't measure weekly mileage or follow a coaching plan. She simply runs 70 to 80 miles per week through the Arkansas Valley in Colorado, trusting her body and mind to guide her.

Why This Inspires

Entrekin's story reminds us that our greatest competitions are often with ourselves. She could have celebrated her 2024 victory and moved on, but instead she used that dissatisfaction as fuel for growth. Her focus on becoming a better person, not just a faster runner, transformed her performance in ways pure physical training never could.

The morning after breaking the record, she woke at 6:30 am to refuel and cheer other runners across the finish line. That spirit of lifting others while celebrating your own success captures what makes endurance sports so beautiful.

After a well-deserved break, Entrekin already has her next challenge lined up: the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in France, which at 108 miles will probably feel like a warm-up lap.