Press release from American Trail Running Association corporate member Tailwind Nutrition. Guterl, who manages Tailwind’s events and athletes, is the first woman to win the brutal Big’s Backyard Ultra. Photo above by Bill Schultz via U.S. National 24 Hour Running Team.
Durango, Colorado – Maggie Guterl, Athlete and Events Manager for Tailwind Nutrition, has made history as the first woman to win the infamous Big’s Backyard Ultra. Known by many as “the race with no end”, Maggie outlasted the competition by completing 60 laps for a total of 250 miles—the fourth-largest total in the race’s history.
“Winning this race is my proudest accomplishment in running to date because of the stellar competition,” says Guterl. “And it really is great fun!”
Designed by famed race director Gary Cantrell (better known as Lazarus “Laz” Lake), creator of the Barkley Marathons immortalized in the documentary, The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young, Big’s Backyard Ultra has no set distance or time limit; instead runners complete a 4.1667 mile loop every hour on the hour until just one runner remains.
Guterl participated in last year’s race and finished 7th, having logged 183 miles. This year she was determined to make her mark.
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“My strategy was simple—straight from last year’s winner, Johan Steene,” says Guterl. “I went into it with the mindset that I wouldn’t stop until I was the only person left in the starting corral.”
Despite her determination, the weather and the long miles wore on her, even as the competitors began to drop. “The weather this year was incredibly humid,” says Guterl. “And because of the insane amount of calories you need to continuously consume I drank Tailwind every lap.” Guterl relied on Tailwind’s Endurance Fuel as her main source of calories, and also drank Tailwind’s Rebuild recovery drink periodically.
“We are so thrilled for Maggie and her historic win at Big’s Backyard Ultra,” says Jenny Vierling, co-founder of Tailwind Nutrition. “The same dedication and hard work Maggie brings to her role at Tailwind has served her well in her professional racing career. We couldn’t be happier to see her excel and are delighted to see that she put Tailwind products through the ultimate test.”
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Founded in Durango, CO by endurance athletes, Tailwind Nutrition’s product line-up includes the original Endurance Fuel, a simple-to-use drink mix that replenishes calories and electrolytes and hydrates, and Rebuild Recovery, the first sports recovery drink based on a patent-pending perfectly complete protein. All of Tailwind Nutrition’s products are made in Durango, Colorado and can be found in over 23 countries around the world.
Editor’s Note: Are you looking for more news about this impressive feat of ultrarunning? Check out news articles from Outside Magazine and Canadian Running Magazine.
About Tailwind Nutrition:
Since 2012, Tailwind Nutrition has been manufacturing all-natural endurance nutrition products that are free of GMOs, dairy, soy, and gluten, are easy to digest, and support an athlete’s fueling and recovery needs during exercise. Owned, operated and manufactured in Durango, CO, Tailwind Nutrition’s specially formulated drink mixes help athletes perform and compete at their highest level without the worry of food allergies or sensitivities. Tailwind is all you need, all day. Really. For more information visit tailwindnutrition.com
