Runner Shatters 100-Mile World Record by 17 Minutes
American ultrarunner Ashley Paulson just ran 100 miles in 12 hours and 19 minutes, crushing the previous world record by over 17 minutes. The 31-year-old conquered the grueling distance at a Nevada race, proving what the human body can achieve with determination.
Ashley Paulson turned an ordinary Thursday in Nevada into an extraordinary display of human endurance, running 100 miles faster than any woman in history.
On February 20, 2026, Paulson finished the Jackpot 100 Mile race in Henderson, Nevada, in just 12 hours, 19 minutes, and 34 seconds. She shattered the previous world record of 12:37:04 by more than 17 minutes.
The 31-year-old American started aggressively around the 1.19-mile loop at Cornerstone Park, maintaining a blistering pace of around 7 minutes per mile for the first 20 miles. That's faster than many recreational runners can sustain for a single mile, let alone 100.
By the halfway point, Paulson had built a cushion of about 30 minutes over the record pace. Even as fatigue set in and her pace slowed in the final 20 miles, she held on to make history.
This wasn't Paulson's first rodeo with extreme distances. She holds the women's course record at the legendary Badwater 135 Mile race through Death Valley, won the 200-mile Bigfoot race in 2025, and has conquered numerous other ultramarathons.
Coming into the race, Paulson had publicly announced her intention to break the world record on Instagram. The course was USATF-certified, and the record now awaits official ratification by the International Association of Ultrarunners.
Why This Inspires
Paulson's achievement reminds us that human limits are constantly being redefined. Just three months ago, the previous record seemed untouchable, yet Paulson found another gear.
Her story also shows the power of setting audacious goals and backing them up with action. She didn't just hope for a world record. She trained for it, announced it publicly, and then went out and claimed it.
At a time when it's easy to feel small or limited, watching someone push the boundaries of human endurance for over 12 hours straight reminds us what we're capable of when we refuse to quit.
Paulson's new world record now stands as the benchmark for the next generation of ultrarunners to chase.
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Based on reporting by Google News - World Record
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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