Stephanie Case Sets Antarctic 100-Mile Women’s Record

On 9 November 2026, Canadian ultrarunner Stephanie Case, 43, became the first woman to complete a 100-mile (160.9-km) race in Antarctica. She finished second overall in the Antarctic Ice Ultra, setting the continent’s first women’s record for the distance.

Race in extreme conditions

Held in Schirmacher Oasis in Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica, the race covered 38 loops of a 4.2-km course plus an additional section. Case finished in 17 hours, 31 minutes and 39 seconds, 29 minutes and 15 seconds behind Chinese winner Yusheng Ni, who finished in 17:02:24 and set a men’s continental record.

Temperatures fell to −35°C amid strong winds; organisers said these were the coldest conditions recorded for the event. The start was moved to 1 am because of an approaching storm. Four of eight starters completed the distance. Case was the only woman to finish, among three women who started.

Case’s background

Case is an international human rights lawyer and founder of the charity Free to Run. In May 2025, she drew attention for breastfeeding her daughter, Pepper, during an ultramarathon victory in Snowdonia.

Important Facts for Exams

• Race formats: Ultramarathons may follow a specified distance or route, or run for a fixed time, with the winner in timed events covering the most ground.
• Record recognition: World Athletics recognises 50-km and 100-km world records; the IAU also recognises records for 100 miles and timed events up to six days.
• Course layouts: Ultramarathon courses range from repeated loops, including track circuits, to point-to-point road or trail routes and cross-country courses.