HENDERSON, Nevada — A St. George woman just set a new female 100-mile world record in running, completing the distance in 12:19.34. This works out to be 7 minutes and 21 seconds per mile.
The record time was set Friday night at the Jackpot 100, by Ashley Paulson, 44. The race was held at Cornerstone Park in Henderson, Nevada, and it served as the 100-mile USA Track and Field National Championships. Each participant ran a 1.1-mile USATF-certified course around the park 100 times to complete the distance.
Longtime friend and runner Bre Carter watched Paulson break the record. She said that watching her friend "chip away the miles" was "palpable."
"Ashley's energy, no matter the size of her goal before her, is palpable," Carter told KSL. "I've paced 100-milers and been at endurance finish lines enough to know that pain, effort and mindset is crucial. Emotions were so high watching her chip away the miles. That speed for a even a marathon hurts. It's fast! (She's) a freaking earth-crusher, that girl! I'm always shocked by her efforts and joy through it all."
Jamil Coury, founder of Arivaipa Running, told KSL that Paulson's performance is "a leap forward for the women's 100-mile world record that has been inching down in recent years."
"This continues the trend of record-setting performances we are seeing in the ultrarunning world over the past few years," Coury said.
Paulson's record bested the old record of 12:37.04 set by Caitriona Jennings in 2025.
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Arianne Brown
