Clare Gallagher crowned fastest woman at Western States after epic battle; defending champion Courtney Dauwalter drops out
- Gallagher took the lead over Dauwalter with 36km to go and never looked back, claiming victory at the famous 100-miler
Clare Gallagher was the first woman over the line at the Western States 100 (WSER 100, 161km) in 17 hours, 23 minutes and 24 seconds, the second fastest woman in the race’s history. She took the lead at 125km when last year’s winner Courtney Dauwalter dropped out.
“I was just quietly behind Courtney all day,” she said. “Someone has to be second [I thought], but Courtney, god bless her, I hope her hip is OK, something happened to her hip.”
Dauwalter was leading and running record pace, with Gallagher in tow, until Rucky Chucky aid station when she dropped out. Gallagher was made to work hard for her victory by Brittany Peterson, who finished in 17:34.29, the fourth fastest woman in the race’s history.
“The last 20 miles I was running very scared,” she said.
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Peterson closed the gap and when they entered Pointed Rocks aid station, with just 10km to go, the pair were neck and neck. Gallagher regained a two-minute lead in the next 5km and eventually saw home the victory.
“She gave the best race ever. It was so epic,” Gallagher said about Peterson.
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Gallagher prepared for the race by spending time mountaineering in the Arctic. She used her finish line speech to implore fans to call their government representatives about an upcoming vote that would allow oil extractions in the Arctic Refuge.
Gallagher, American, has only been a professional runner since 2016 after she won the Leadville 100 (161km). She has since claimed victories at the likes of the 100km CCC at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) week.
Peterson booked her place at WSER 100 by winning the Bandera 100km in Texas. The race served as a “golden ticket” pathway, which guarantees a spot to the first placed runner.
The Western States is one the most prestigious 100 mile races in the world. It has been taking place since 1974, but is now so popular most runners have to enter via a lottery ballot system.
