Bellingham resident, WWU alum sets the new world record in women’s 50-mile ultramarathon

Bellingham resident Courtney Olsen set a new world record, pending verification, in the women’s 50-mile race. On Saturday, Nov. 9, Olsen ran the 50 mile at Vienna, Illinois’s Tunnel Hill ultramarathon in 5:31:56, over eight minutes faster than the recognized world record of 5:40:18, set in 1991.

Bellingham runner sets world record

According to Olsen, she knew the record was in sight heading into the race.

“I went in planning to and seeking it,” Olsen said in a phone call with the Bellingham Herald. “I’ve been thinking about it for a few years and then I’ve run a few ultra races that [led] me to believing it was possible.”

While the reigning Bellingham Bay Marathon champion knew she could run below 5:40, there was another roadblock to setting the record.

“There were two of us going for it,” Olsen said. “So there was a woman who I’ve raced against and been on world teams with. She wasn’t very forthcoming in her desires, but I knew she was wanting it and trying to go for it too. So there was a lot of pressure, because we were going to have to battle each other for it. But also in that competition we can bring out the best in each other.”

Olsen, a Squalicum High School graduate and former all-American runner at Western Washington University, fell behind her competitor early, and trailed for much of the race.

“The hard part is that we ran together for two miles, and then she dusted me and was ahead of me for 30. So that whole time, I’m behind her,” Olsen said. “And then she faded, and I kept on my paces.”

Olsen, who is 37 years old, took the lead around the 30 mile mark, and realized the record was within reach with ten miles remaining. From there, she knew she just needed to stay on schedule.

“This was all about hitting the right paces to make it happen,” Olsen said.

In order to prepare for Saturday’s race, Olsen spent months ramping up her training.

“My weekly mileage always hovered around 100 miles a week, and I did that for three or four months, like all summer through the fall,” Olsen said. “So it’s just stacking all that together that earned me the capability of being able to go that fast, that long.”

A Bellingham native who trains locally

Olsen’s weekly training regime is over three times the square mileage of Bellingham.

“100 miles a week – I’m running every inch of the town,” Olsen said. “It feels like I do the Tour de Bellingham every day.”

Olsen not only trains in town, she’s coached by a local too.

“His name is Jay Sloan, and he’s out in Everson,” Olsen said. “He was a part of those devastating floods a few years ago, so he’s been coaching me despite dealing with trying to rebuild his home.”

Olsen has been running ultramarathons for five years, although she says she’d wanted to start earlier. After her collegiate career, she focused on reaching the qualifying time in the marathon for the 2020 Olympic Trials.

“I’d say 2019, so five years,” Olsen said. “But I’ve, I’ve tried not to. I’ve been really putting it off, not because I don’t want to, but because I was obsessed with the marathon.”

Is it the official world record?

The record won’t be official until it’s verified by the International Association of UItrarunners. In an email to the Herald, the IAU said that it hasn’t received an application for the record yet. The United States Association of Track and Field recognized Olsen with its “Athlete of the Week” honor.

This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 1:44 PM.