Inspirational ultrarunner Sophie Power has set a new Guinness World Record for the furthest distance covered by a female, achieving the groundbreaking feat at the National Running Show in Birmingham. Power covered over 370km demonstrating exceptional athleticism and dogged determination in her mission to inspire change.
Power shot to notoriety when a remarkable image taken during the 2018 UTMB captured Sophie breastfeeding her second child of three, her son at mile 106 of one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathons while a male competitor napped beside her. Power has since made it her mission to break down the barriers that women face in the sport such as equal representation, fair opportunities and greater consideration of women’s needs in race planning and participation. Such as the abity to defer entry when pregnant or access to sanitary products during races. Power went on to launch SheRaces an inspirational charity that champions equity and inclusion for women in trail and ultrarunning.
“I’m thrilled to have achieved this record and to do it for a cause so close to my heart,” said Sophie Power. “SheRaces is about changing the narrative for women in endurance sports—breaking down barriers, creating opportunities, and empowering women to achieve their full potential. This record is proof that when given the platform, we can achieve the extraordinary.”
Sophie continued: “Running on a treadmill is so much harder than being outdoors. The unchanging environment makes it mentally exhausting, and you don’t have the stimulation of scenery or fresh air to keep you going. It was tough not being able to nap or properly eat while trying to keep moving, and the monotony tested my resilience but ultimately we can do hard things and that’s what I set out to prove. Knowing I was doing it for SheRaces and ensuring my daughter does not experience the barriers I faced, the message we’re trying to spread kept me pushing through every mile.”
The previous record, set by Emma Timmis, New Zealand had stood as a benchmark of endurance and resilience. Sophie Power’s achievement redefines what is possible for female ultrarunners and underscores the importance of visibility in promoting women’s participation in endurance sports.
The event at the National Running Show was a fitting stage for Power’s record-breaking attempt, showcasing the vibrancy and passion of the UK’s running community. Over 30,000 runners were inspired by the sheer determination Power displayed throughout her effort, embodying the values SheRaces seeks to instil in the next generation of runners.
Mike Seaman, CEO at National Running Show commented: “When Sophie first contacted me about this challenge we were keen to support and enable the running community to witness what we knew was going to be a remarkable example of what a person can achieve. Having the support of athletes cheering her on at the show including Sir Mo Farah CBE, Colin Jackson CBE, Russ Cook ‘Hardest Geezer, Jasmin Paris MBE, Spencer Matthews and Jenni Falconer helped give much-needed morale boosts when Sophie hit tough periods during the challenge. Sophie embodies the spirit of resilience, dedication, and passion that inspires runners of all levels, and her achievement is nothing short of extraordinary. It was an honour to host such a ground-breaking moment and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate it with our amazing running community. Congratulations to Sophie for showing us all that limits are meant to be broken!”
Donate to SheRaces here: https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsor/activity/48hr-treadmill-world-record-challenge/sophie-power-2?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY6KpMYl89fOE-iiMsbJpKtcb65B9j5LDcDit55iNsBIoyxroMbTNB0ZCg_aem_MIkySYiGqIz68NGiFiNy6A