Emergency Shutdown: Courtney Dauwalter’s Official Statement on Cocodona 250 DNF
Flagstaff, AZ – May 7, 2025 — The ultra-trail running community was stunned on May 6, 2025 when U.S. trail legend Courtney Dauwalter executed an emergency shutdown and recorded a rare DNF (Did Not Finish) at the Cocodona 250, marking only the second time she failed to complete a race at the elite ultra-distance level. The reason? A harrowing “total body shutdown” that forced her to stop at mile 108. Dauwalter’s full team statement, later confirmed on Instagram, captured her experience and resilience in the face of crisis.
1. The Unfolding of a Legend’s Challenge
Dauwalter, aged 40, entered the Cocodona 250 as one of the biggest names yet to conquer a 250-mile race. She began the race strong, leading outright through mile 77.2 and maintaining a commanding presence in the front pack
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At mile 12.5, she was already in high spirits, calling the race “super cool” despite grueling early elevation gains
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By mile 77.2 (about 124 km), she had taken outright lead, and video footage showed her cruising confidently into Prescott at mile 100
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From the outside, everything seemed textbook Dauwalter—calm, commanding, and on pace for another historic finish.
2. The Breakdown: 108 Miles and Shutdown
Yet, in the brutal domain of ultra-endurance, momentum can shift in an instant. Eight miles past Prescott, at the 108-mile mark, Dauwalter’s body began to betray her. Her crew reported an involuntary slowdown, then a stop.
The official team statement on Instagram read:
“Well, shoot—Court finished her run this morning at mile 108. She’s doing fine and very thankful for all the cheers both in person and from afar. Thanks for being part of our team!”
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Later, more detail emerged on the causes of her DNF: a total body shutdown, likely induced by severe stomach issues that wreaked havoc on her ability to fuel and control her core muscles—an absolute deal-breaker over such intensity and distance .
3. Understanding “Total Body Shutdown” in Ultras
Stomach and gastrointestinal distress is famously one of the most brutal adversaries in ultra-running. When the gut fails to absorb calories and hydration, energy collapses, muscles falter, and mental clarity suffers—sometimes rapidly.
In Dauwalter’s case, that failure at mile 108 made any continued effort not just pointless—it became unsafe.
This is not unprecedented: even ultra stalwarts have succumbed to system-wide shutdowns.
The “shutdown” name aptly describes the phenomenon where the body forcibly halts, often as a protective mechanism.
4. The Official Statement: A Breakdown
Let’s dissect the team’s official statement and what it reveals:
“Well, shoot” – a quintessentially Dauwalter understatement, signaling something serious yet framed with characteristic humor.
“Finished” her run – a reframing of the DNF as a completion, embracing the process, not just the outcome.
“She’s doing fine” – reassuring for mental and physical well-being.
Gratitude – an acknowledgment of the emotional support that surrounds any elite ultrarunner.
It’s an official statement that balances raw honesty with humility, dignity with self-awareness—a fitting reflection of her personality.
5. Race Context: Course, Conditions & Competitive Field
The Cocodona 250, organized annually by Arizona’s Aravaipa Running, is a punishing 250-mile (≈402 km) point-to-point. It starts in Black Canyon City and ends in Flagstaff, traversing 40,000+ feet of elevation gain through desert, pine forest, mountains, and towns
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Launched in 2021, this recent ultra has quickly become a crown jewel of North American ultra-distance events
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It features a hard cutoff of 125 hours, varied terrain, and unpredictable high-desert weather—including scorching sun, hail, and wind .
Dauwalter’s attempt was further complicated by nature’s whims: she battled hail and rain early on, yet pressed through to lead at mile 100
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6. Competitive Landscape: Who Finished
While Dauwalter’s departure shocked fans, the race forged onward—talent emerged:
Dan Green ultimately shattered the men’s course record with a blazing 58 h 47 m 29 s, finishing first overall
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Ryan Sandes of South Africa grabbed second in 61 h 21 m 04 s
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On the women’s side, Rachel Entrekin (2024 champ) secured a remarkable third overall and set a new women’s course record
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So, although Dauwalter’s exit removed her from contention, the race still delivered extraordinary performances.
7. Aftermath: What This Means for Dauwalter
For a runner of Dauwalter’s mythic status, a DNF is rare—but not unprecedented. Her career is defined by relentless grit, chalkboard-breaking records, and an unyielding spirit. Still, this moment provides:
A pause for reflection: stomach issues are improvable, and such breakdowns point the way to future nutrition and pacing strategies.
A restoration break: recovery is critical after such physical trauma.
A potential springboard: past elites have returned stronger after similar setbacks.
It is almost a universal truth in ultra running that recovery from failure often births greater resilience and insight.
8. Community Reaction: Respect, Encouragement, Insight
The reaction across social media and the running world was respectful:
Salomon Running, one of Dauwalter’s sponsors, wrote:
“So proud of you for taking a big swing at a new challenge! That’s where greatness is found. You’ve inspired us all.”
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Fans shared messages of support:
“Court, resting is winning. You showed us what courage looks like today.”
Both Dan Green and Rachel Entrekin acknowledged the weight of following her early pace.
This groundswell of positivity shows that in ultras, failure on paper doesn’t diminish a legend—it humanizes them.
9. Looking Forward: What’s Next for Courtney?
In January, Dauwalter had announced her bold initiative to conquer the 250-mile distance. Though she’ll miss this year’s finish line, the effort itself is not in vain.
Potential next steps include:
Rest and recovery—physically, mentally, and nutritionally
Lessons learned about fueling and pacing across ultra-length terrain
Returning to even longer races (Moab 240, Tahoe 200) with fresh strategy
A possible repeat attempt at Cocodona in 2026
One thing is certain: when Dauwalter returns, it will be with more weapons in her ultrarunning arsenal.
10. A Career in Perspective
Courtney Dauwalter’s résumé is unmatched:
Winner of Western States, Hardrock, UTMB (2023 Triple Crown in nine weeks)
Moab 240 (2017) champion
Tahoe 200: first woman, second overall (2018)
And countless FKT (fastest known time) records, including Nolan’s 14
A marathon of setbacks is part of the narrative, even for legends. This DNF, under emergency conditions, only enriches her legacy—proof that greatness pushes limits, risks breakdowns, and writes new chapters on how to recover and return stronger.
Final Thoughts
The emergency shutdown at mile 108, due to total body failure, was not just a race story—it was a statement about the extreme risks and beauty of human endurance. Courtney Dauwalter’s official statement—humble, candid, grateful—transcended mere newsworthy drama. It was human, recognizably vulnerable, and ultimately inspiring.
Her departure altered the race dynamics and laid bare the fine line between dominance and disaster in ultras. It reminded us how, in these moments of crisis, the measure of greatness is how one faces exclusion from the finish line.
For now, Courtney rests. The ultra world waits—with bated breath—for her next move. And make no mistake: when she steps back onto the line, she’ll arrive with renewed purpose, wisdom earned through adversity, and the capacity to redefine the limit once more.
