Seidel secured the overall victory, surpassing all male and female athletes, by completing the 50 km at the Bandera 50K trail race on 11/1 in 4 hours 9 minutes 39 seconds.

The American runner significantly broke the women's record of 4 hours 24 minutes 47 seconds, which Australian athlete Melanie Fryer established in 2012.

Molly Seidel celebrates winning the HOKA Bandera Endurance Trail Race. Photo: Flotrack

The HOKA Bandera Endurance Trail Race took place at the Hill Country State Natural Area, near Bandera, Texas. The event featured three distances: 25 km, 50 km, and 100 km. The 50 km course is considered highly technical, primarily consisting of rocky trails with a total elevation gain exceeding 1,000 meters.

Before venturing into ultrarunning, Seidel debuted in trail races in 2022 at the UTMB Speedgoat Mountain Race in Sandy, Utah. She completed the 28 km distance in 4 hours 13 minutes, finishing 35th overall and eighth in the women's category.

Seidel is widely known as one of America's top long-distance runners. She rose to prominence early in international cross-country events, representing the US team multiple times at the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country and continental championships. In 2020, Seidel qualified for the Tokyo Olympics by finishing second in the US Olympic Marathon Trials, before making a significant impact with a marathon bronze medal in Japan. This was the first medal for an American woman in this event since 2004.

Molly Seidel wins the women's marathon bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan on 8/8/2021. Photo: Reuters

After the Tokyo Olympics, Seidel continued to impress with top 10 finishes at the London Marathon, New York City Marathon, and Chicago Marathon, while also setting numerous personal bests. However, injuries interrupted her career, including a sacral stress fracture, hip issues, knee problems, and patellar injuries, leading to multiple extended breaks from competition.

In a recent interview with iRunFar, Seidel stated that shifting to trail running is a way to find balance between competitive aspirations and long-term health. "I am trying to find a path that allows me to stay in this sport for as long as possible, and to listen to what my body is truly suited for," said the 31-year-old athlete.

The victory at Bandera is considered an important stepping stone for the Black Canyon 100K in Arizona next month – a race that awards three direct entries into the Western States 100, the world's most prestigious 100-mile ultramarathon, for both men and women. Seidel expressed her hope that transitioning to ultrarunning will give her a chance to be on the starting line of Western States in the future, while also considering participating in the Javelina Jundred, another race that offers direct entry into the Western States 100, later this year.

Hong Duy (via Canadian Running Magazine)