The following article was written by USATF technical delegate Lin Gentling and features results from the USATF 100 Mile Road Championships including the incredible performance by Ashley Paulson who broke the world record (pending ratification) by more than 17 minutes. Gentling is also on the USATF Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) executive committee and treasurer of ATRA.
Awakening to perfect race conditions on Friday, February 20, the day held promises of an event that would yield incredible results. The morning dawned cold by southwest standards in Henderson, NV, just outside of Las Vegas. But if you were a runner, conditions could not have been better. With the sun breaking over the eastern horizon, winds calm, and an energy in the air that warmed the souls of all present, 34 entrants were ready to begin their quest over the course of 100 miles.
Ashley Paulson, 44, St. George, UT, came with one goal in mind and that was to break the 100-mile world record set only 3 months ago at Tunnel Hill by Ireland’s Caitriona Jennings in 12:37:06. Prior to the 2026 USATF 100 mile national championships, Paulson, a grandmother, had a PR in 100 miles of 14:04.
The Jackpot course is a 1.17-mile loop that is navigated 85 times during the course of 100 miles around a former gravel pit turned pond in Cornerstone Park.
Women’s race
Paulson started the race with every intention of breaking that record and knew exactly what she had to do. To break the record she would have to average a 7:34 pace for 100 miles. With 20 percent of the race behind her, she was averaging around 7 minutes per mile building up a nice buffer. The next 25 miles were around a 7:10 pace, well below the average of 7:34 to achieve her dream. At the 50-mile point, her time was 5:56:20. The next 25 miles she slowed a fair amount…relatively speaking, running that interval of 25 miles in 3:18:21. Hitting the 75-mile point in 9:05:47, she still had a comfortable lead on the world record. Around the 80-mile mark, Paulson’s pace was about 7:30, but she had built up such a time buffer in those first 50 miles, that the world record was still in sight.
The crowd surrounding the course was so supportive with about 30 people from her sponsor, Buzz Bomb Caffeine, present to cheer her on. They seemed as much a part of that world record attempt as was Paulson. The last 20 miles was run on pure and simple adrenaline, knowing that the record was hers if only she would just keep her body going.
Paulson not only took over as the reigning queen of the 100 mile world record, but smashed the previous record by 17 minutes running the 100 miles in 12:19:34, averaging 7:21 per mile for 100 miles! The record is pending subject to the scrutiny of USATF and the International Association of Ultrarunners.
In a post-race interview with her sponsor, Paulson stated, “Honestly, it doesn’t feel real. I’m like, ‘has this really happened?’ … I worked so hard for it, but it came, it happened. Dreams come true, you just gotta keep fighting for it and show up, put in the work, and then execute.”
Following Paulson over two hours later was second place, Kaylee Frederick, 21, Johnstown, Pa, in 14:49:09 and in third place was Jenny Arnzen, 48, Vernon, TX, with a time and national 45-49 age group record of 15:01:21.
Of notable mention is Stella Springer’s 100-mile world age group record (55-59) in 15:41:03.
Men’s race
On the men’s side, it is much the same story with Rajpaul Pannu, 34, Denver, CO leading from start to finish and never seriously challenged. Pannu was running with incentive. Having won the race in 2025, he was disqualified for wearing invalid shoes. This year he made sure he had the correct shoe specifications and blew away the competition, calling this his redemption run. Pannu was supported by an amazing team of friends and family. He called this his high point of the race. Of special significance, he finds his mother to be the reason for his motivation. She supports him at many of his races, and like all moms, knows just what he needs at the right moments.
The Jackpot 100 mile is an event that Pannu has raced several times in the past, but this year was his best. Running to a new course record of 11:38:57, he was well ahead of second place Scott Munson, 35, Woodland, CA, who finished the race in 13:37:04 with Edher Ramirez, 40, Las Vegas taking third in 13:44:39.
USATF 100 Mile results
Once again, kudos and thank you to Aravaipa and especially to race director, Jon Bullock, for putting on an excellent race, catering to the runner’s every need. The Jackpot Running Festival is a weekend of 9 events spanning from 8 AM Friday to 8 AM Sunday. The energy from volunteers and runners is electric and contagious. This serves as a tremendous example of what ultraruning is all about, investing in the success of everyone. Every finisher was victorious and celebrated as champions.
Editor’s Note: Follow news from USATF MUT here.
