Ruth Croft is crossing over a river, splashing water on her face, during the Western States run. The sun is bright. — Ruth Croft deploying all the heat defeat tricks. Photo: Scott Rokis

Kia ora e te whānau. Ruth Croft, the Western States Endurance Run champ for 2022. Straight outta the mighty West Coast, Ruth of course is no stranger to Dirt Church Radio, having appeared on episodes 021,078,124, 150, and 173!!!. Ruth went on a US College running scholarship as a promising junior but fell out of love with running, moved to Taiwan, fell back in love with running, discovered she was incredible at trail running and began an astonishing career that we are lucky to bear witness to. After success at marathon-ish distance trail races, last year she ran her first 100 mile race, at Western States, no less, coming second behind Beth Pascall. This year, she lined up again for her second 100 miler and she went and won it. She also now has the third and sixth fastest women’s times in history.

You’ll hear that her build-up did not exactly go smoothly this time - she had an achilles problem, two twisted ankles, and Covid when she got to the US, just five weeks out from the race. But it was that string of bumps in the road which made her turn to some help with the mental side and it brought about a new attitude and a real joy for running - which manifested itself in her being joined by dinosaur costume-clad crew members at the finish line. Eugene talks about all this and more with Ruth on this episode of Dirt Church Radio. Also! We give away our last Tarawera entry to a very special Greatest Run Ever . Enjoy.

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Episode Links

Ruth Croft on Instagram

Adidas Terrex

Garmin NZ

Claire Whittle’s Speedfreak Sausages