Caitriona Jennings Shatters 100-Mile World Record Highlighting Her Irish Athletic Prowess
Irish athlete Caitriona Jennings has set a new world record for the 100-mile run. She completed the Tunnel Hill 100 Mile ultra-marathon in Illinois with a time of 12 hours, 37 minutes, and 4 seconds. This remarkable feat occurred during her first attempt at this distance.
Caitriona Jennings’ Historic Achievement
Jennings, hailing from Donegal, broke the previous world record of 12:42:40, established by Camille Herron in 2017. Despite facing warm conditions, Jennings maintained a consistent pace throughout the race. She averaged an impressive 7:34 per mile, or 4:42 per kilometer, ultimately finishing fourth overall.
Record-Breaking Performance
The Tunnel Hill ultra-marathon featured various race lengths, including 50-mile and 100km options. The event takes place on the Tunnel Hill State Trail, a flat, out-and-back course in southern Illinois.
- New Record Time: 12:37:04
- Previous Record: 12:42:40
- Location: Tunnel Hill 100 Mile, Illinois
- Average Pace: 7:34 per mile (4:42/km)
- Prize for Break the Record: $7,500 bonus + $1,250 for first place
Recognition and Support
Upon achieving her record, Jennings expressed her gratitude to her coach Terry McConnon and the event organizer Steve Durbin. “Words can’t describe this feeling,” she remarked. Jennings is not new to record-breaking; she previously set the Irish 50k record and holds the Irish 100km record.
Career Highlights
- Irish 50k Record: 3:16:33, Donadea 50km National Championships
- Irish 100km Record: 7:43:01, set in 2021
- 2022 IAU 50km European Championships: Winner
- Top-10 finisher at the Comrades Marathon
- Ran Olympic Marathon in London: 2012
Jennings showcases outstanding resilience and athletic prowess, continuing to raise the bar in long-distance running. Her record achievement underscores her status as one of Ireland’s premier athletes and sets the stage for future endeavors in ultra-marathon running.
