![]() Most importantly, it is where Cat discovered her passion for being outdoors, the core of what she loves most about trail running.Ĭat rests after setting the women’s fastest known time for a 42-mile R2R2R run. While already a runner, the AT was her first endeavor that bridged the gap from sprinting a few laps around a flat 400 meter track to spending long hours out on technical wilderness trails. Her solution? Drop out of school and hike the Appalachian Trail-an accomplishment she still considers the toughest thing she’s done to this date and the catalyst to push her into ultrarunning. She eventually earned a track scholarship at UC Santa Barbara, but her collegiate track career racing the 800 meters never took off due to the all too prevalent combination of putting too much pressure on herself and burnout from top level training and competition that so many successful athletes face. But she improved quickly and fell in love with the sport. She struggled at first, as most brand new runners do when they are building base fitness for the first time. When she was in high school, she channeled her pent up energy into running cross-country. Persevering through setbacks until she reaches her potential is simply how Cat rolls. ![]() Although her victory surprised many, this wasn’t a one-off incident. Twenty-six-year-old Cat made headlines last year as the former kindergarten teacher who overcame the disappointment and heartbreak of being laid off to win Western States 100, the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race. Cat is already eyeing the next face-off with her biggest competition-herself. ![]() Never mind the fact that she just accomplished one of her biggest running dreams, or that it was her third attempt doing so (weather and illness impacted her other attempts). ![]() Her 7 hour, 52 minute clocking bested the previous record by 23 minutes. “I can do better.” These were the first words to breathlessly exit Cat Bradley’s mouth atop the rim of the Grand Canyon moments after shattering the women’s FKT (fastest known time) for a 42-mile Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim run last November. ![]() After a breakout year winning Western States 100, setting the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim FKT and going pro, in 2018 Bradley is staying focused on her toughest competition. ![]()
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