Singletrack
Singletrack is a podcast covering the professional trail and ultrarunning scene.
Singletrack
Courtney Dauwalter’s Next-Level Final Kick: Rachel Entrekin Breaks Down Chianti 120K
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode, Rachel Entrekin returns to the show immediately following her 3rd place finish at Chianti by UTMB and gives a firsthand account of one of the most dramatic finishes of the season.
We start with the moment everyone’s talking about: Courtney Dauwalter’s decisive late-race surge. Rachel walks us through how the race unfolded from the front, what it felt like to be running all day shoulder-to-shoulder, and what made Courtney’s final move so shocking even to the athletes in the race.
From there, we zoom out to what this performance means for Rachel’s trajectory. We discuss the narrative around her being a “200-mile specialist,” the pressure she felt coming into the race, and why this result felt like a long-overdue validation of her ability across distances.
We also break down the competitive dynamics at the front of the field, including what makes both Courtney Dauwalter and Ingvild Kaspersen uniquely difficult to race against, and why Chianti stands out as the most competitive - and most enjoyable - race of Rachel’s career so far.
In the second half, we get into the performance details: fueling breakthroughs (including a surprising shift toward gels), gear choices, and how improved nutrition may be unlocking a new level of speed and durability. We close with a look ahead to Cocodona and what this race might signal about Rachel’s ceiling in 2026.
Partners:
- Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order
- Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made
- Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains
- Janji - premium trail running apparel
Welcome back or welcome to the Single Track Podcast. I'm your host, Finn Melanson, and this is a spur-of-the-moment interview with Rachel Enterkin, who just took third at the Chianti 120K over in Italy. A very competitive and thrilling race that took place on Saturday. There was no live stream but dot tracking. You could tell it was quite the battle between Rachel, Courtney DeWalter, and Ingvild Kasperson with Courtney putting in a late surge to take the win. Anyways, I was planning to call Rachel to get some insights for our weekly single-track news program, but then I figured why not record it. Just some heads up though, I am I'm dealing with some spring allergies right now. They're typically worse in the morning when we recorded. So it might sound like I'm sick in this one. I'm not. I'm just stuffed up from the allergies. And then Rachel was recording in an alleyway in Florence, so I did some work in post-production to fix the background noise, but it was not perfect. There was also some connectivity issues at the end of the convo too. But regardless, content is great. Rachel's details and overall takeaways from the experience are quite interesting. The single track podcast is brought to you by Norda, the official footwear partner of the show. And if you're getting ready for a race this spring or summer, I must recommend to you their 005 model. It's the lightest, fastest, most stable super shoe on the market right now. Alongside the 055, I'll be using it at Key Races all season long. Don't wait. Go check it out, NordaRun.com. Today's episode is also brought to you by Precision Fuel and Hydration. If you've ever blown up late in a race, chances are your fueling plan, that's carbs, sodium, fluids, wasn't quite right. Priscision has a free fuel and hydration planner that helps you figure out exactly what you should be taking in per hour based on how you've trained your race and the conditions out there. I have been using it recently while dialing in my own race nutrition strategy. I have seen the benefits. If you want to try it out for yourself again, it's free. Head to prestisionhydration.com forward slash planner. Rachel Enterkin, great to have you back on the Single Track Podcast. How are you doing?
SPEAKER_01Uh Ben is how I'm doing.
SPEAKER_00Hey, is your performance yesterday, is it enough for the I need to see more from Rachel Entrickin crowd?
SPEAKER_01Oh my god. I hope so, but um yeah, I guess we'll have to we'll both have to see. Um but yeah, I I certainly think that I I think that there were honestly a lot of points that were proven yesterday.
SPEAKER_02So what were they?
SPEAKER_01Well, I mean, I think that there's been a little bit of talk of like I mean, I'll just start with myself. I mean, you know, am I a 200 mile specialist or whatever? I feel like no. Um, I think that I do a lot of different races, and I think that those results should speak for themselves, but they haven't. Um, and now we have one that kind of I feel like is a little bit more definitive. Um, and then I think too, it's been really fun to kind of watch online as people dissect Courtney's race. Um, because I know she had a a tougher year last year, and for her to come back and that I mean, I I was literally, I was there watching the race unfold, and it was still insane to like have her, I don't even want to say come from behind because we were all so close, but like I just I just thought that Yingville had it in the bag. Um, and so to get to the finish line and be like, wait, Courtney won? Um, was really cool. So I mean, she's I mean, she's still I think got it. So I think, yeah, like I said, just a couple, a couple different like points were made, I think, during the race yesterday.
SPEAKER_00We were all dot watching, refreshing our trackers. That was the extent to which we could follow the race for people that weren't on the ground, help them, help them understand what made Courtney's performance great out there.
SPEAKER_01I mean, so it's really funny because actually I thought that I crossed the finish line in fifth place. Um, I thought Courtney and I were battling for fourth, um, which is kind of dumb. But uh, but yeah, um so Ingvilde, Courtney, and I really I mean, ran together the entire um from the start to obviously the very end. And I mean I would say Yinvilde led the most. Um, I don't think I don't think I mean Courtney and I probably led in equal amounts. Um and yeah, I mean she Yinville looked really strong on the climbing and she looked amazing on the descents, and like Courtney was just kind of like staying behind really me. I mean, I think I was probably in second most of the day. Um and so yeah, I don't know. You just you do something all day long and you kind of think that like, all right, well, this is probably like we only have a 5k left, so like this is probably how it's gonna be. Um and yeah, I mean, it just absolutely was. I I remember, and it's it's what's crazy is that I was I knew that she was really close. Or I think maybe she even got to the last aid station, I don't know, 15 seconds before I did, but I left really fast. Um, and my my crew person was like, all right, go like go fast, like see you at the finish line, bye. Um, and so I was, I mean, I was moving really fast down because you go down a pretty runnable descent, I guess. There's some ascents also in there. Um, no descent is really only a descent at Keunty. Um, but uh, but yeah, I was I was moving really well. And I mean, she with about 5k to go past me like I was standing still. Um, and after knowing the effort that it took for us to hold those paces all day, I mean, I was like yeah, I mean, I I think I just said like, go get it. Because it's just, I mean, there was nothing I was gonna be able to do. Like, I'm not gonna- You didn't respond.
SPEAKER_00You didn't even try to respond.
SPEAKER_01I mean, I was already trying to respond. I was trying to keep her off me. Um, but I I mean I couldn't, I couldn't have run any faster. Um, I just tried to really keep, I just tried to keep her in my line of sight so that if I if maybe she had a harder time on the because we were going downhill and I I do kind of well on the uphills. Um, but yeah, I mean, you know, I I tried to keep eyes on her so that if there was a chance for me to do something, maybe even in the last like 2K of the race, then I would I would have that opportunity. But I mean, she was almost out of sight immediately. Um, and so we you come around when you're about 2K from the finish line. You you can kind of see the rest of the course. Um, and I remember I saw Ingvilde um and Courtney both like on the same stretch of path. And Ingvilde was still in first, and Courtney was probably like 90 seconds behind. And so I was like, okay, well, there's only like I don't know, maybe three quarters of a mile left. Like, I guess, I guess like they're gonna be really close. And so, yeah, to cross the finish line and be told that like, because uh they were lining us up to have us do the podium, which was a shock for me because again, I thought I was in fifth. Um, but they were lining us up and I was like, okay, Ingvilde, like you're in the middle, and they were like, no, Courtney's in the middle. And I was like, Courtney won the race. So yeah. I mean, I don't it was it was such an incredible thing to be a part of. Like, truly. Super fun.
SPEAKER_00Many follow-up questions here. The the first one, talk about what makes Ingvilde a unique runner, but also what makes Courtney a unique runner based on your experience out there yesterday.
SPEAKER_01Ingvilde is one of the most. I just remember the entire time I was, I mean, because again, I was mostly running directly behind her the entire day, and she is one of the most graceful runners I've ever seen. She just looks like a gazelle. She never looks like she fatigues, she keeps the same pace. I remember there were like these little punchy climbs that we were going up, and she just looked, it didn't even look like it was phasing her. Like she, she can just hold the same intensity forever. And it was, I remember she and I were talking as we were going down this descent, and I was just like, you are the most beautiful runner I've ever seen to like watch run. Cause she just is so, she's so graceful and she's she's moving. Like she's she's really fast. And really, she's I think she's an expert at that like douchebag grade where it's like five percent. I mean, she just she will yeah, make you regret your life on those climbs. Um, because she and Courtney both would like, I I really I think I'm good at uphill, but she and Courtney both made me reconsider how good I am at uphill. Um, because the only times I were I was able to keep make ground up on them was on really steep descents and technical terrain. Um, and I guess at aid stations. Um and then yeah, I don't know. I I think I think I yeah, I don't know. I think Courtney to me just kind of reaffirmed why she's the best trailrunner of all time. Um because yeah, I mean she I think this is the first time I've ever gotten to see up close that like, yeah, this probably is really hard for her. Cause you you think that somebody that good is just like does not even experience the same things as you. Um, but I mean, like, I I heard her, like, as we, you know, as we would all pass back and forth from one another, we typically like, you know, mutter words of encouragement and stuff. And like, you know, she's out of breath and she's working really hard. Um, and she's still just being awesome. Um, but yeah, I mean, she's just she I sent her a message, I think this morning, and I said, you know, just goat doing goat things. Like, she is just, she is like this was such a spectacular race. I'm I'm thrilled to be a part of it, but I also like my crew just had the best time watching it unfold because it was just like, what is happening in this race? Um, so yeah, I mean, she's just she's just her her tactics, I think, that she employed were really good. Like that kick was absurd. Um yeah, I I don't think that there's anything I could have done to keep up with her on that kick that she had. Because I was already going like probably like high sevens, which at that point in the race is pretty fast. Um, and I mean seriously, she passed me like I was standing still. So that's that's a hell of a kick.
SPEAKER_00You made a a really interesting point there. I have to imagine, and this would this would apply to all people in your category out there, but I have to imagine that it's reassuring or uplifting that when you're battling with these other great runners, you can see that they're human too. They're not necessarily untouchable or they don't experience the things that you experience. Like they're also there suffering in the pain cave, etc.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. I mean, I don't know about Ingvil. She just looked like she was sturdy the whole day, but um, but yeah, I don't it was it was so it was so fun to run with those ladies. Like it was, it was insane. Easily the best race I've ever been a part of.
SPEAKER_00Tell me about this Chianti course, what makes it unique? Because again, we didn't have access to the visuals out there.
SPEAKER_01Uh yeah, it's never flat. Um, that's for sure. It's really, it's really just you're always either climbing or descending, pretty much. And it varies in its steepness. Um, and the trail also varies in its technicality. But I mean, even on the like forest service road sections, you're looking at like a 5% grade in either direction. So you just you really have to be able to um and I'd I'd read, I think maybe Tim Tollston was telling me this. Like, you really have to be able to switch gears very quickly. So, like, you know, you put it in a in a low gear to motor up a hill for like a mile, and then you immediately switch gears and go like tearing down a single track that's technical. Um, so it's and I actually when I was running, I was envisioning like switching gears in like a manual car. Um, to like to like motivate myself to like figure out what the correct gear was. Um, but yeah, it's it really, I mean, there's not really any. I guess there's a couple of parts of the course that are either so steep or so technical that you do have to like power hike them. Um, but other than that, I would say 90% of the course is runnable and you don't have an excuse not to.
SPEAKER_00Is Lake Sonoma a fair comparison on the states side of things?
SPEAKER_01I haven't done that one, but Okay. Yeah, what are the specs on that one? I know it's a pinch.
SPEAKER_00No, the the the the 50-mile course was like 50 miles, 11k climbing, but it was just undulating. It was just constant ups and downs.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. And I mean, the thing that I think makes this one so challenging is that the biggest climb that's like 3,000 feet is at miles 60. Um and so, and it's it's really steep. And it's it's about five miles up and then five miles down, quote unquote. But it's like down and then up and then down and then up and then down and then up and then like down. Um so yeah, it it's a it's a tough course. But yeah, like I said, I mean you really have to, I was, I was like eight out of ten pace the whole entire time, pretty much.
SPEAKER_00Did you feel like the pressure was getting to you at all? And I'm talking about pre-race. Pre-race, did you feel like any pressure was seeping in?
SPEAKER_01So, yeah. And I'm I did I wrote a little thing, and I don't know if I wrote it for myself or if I wrote it for like, you know, there were a lot of races that happened this weekend, and I know people can sometimes feel the weight of other people's expectations on them because I did feel like I needed to prove something. And then when Courtney jumped in last minute, it was like, all right, well, now we have a free Coca-Dona Courtney Rachel showdown kind of thing. Um, and I just I didn't that wasn't what I was going to that race for. Um, I had a couple objectives. My main one was obviously getting into UTMB. That was the only reason I signed up for Keonti, was I just wanted to place high enough. Um, because I just needed to like score a 600. I don't really know what that means, but um, but I just needed to place high enough so that I could apply this year. Um and so that was my only goal. Like I wasn't trying to win, I wasn't really even trying to podium. I just and you know, I had a I had a race in Greece last two years ago that did not go well for me. I wound up having to DNF it. Um and so I I just wanted to, I just wanted to rewrite that narrative for myself. Um, and so having other people be like, oh, well, maybe she's like gonna win, or like, oh, now it's a court. It's just like, okay, I don't, I don't need to think this way. I just need to keep myself grounded and like remind myself what it is that I'm here to do. Um, which is like, you know, I want to try really hard. Um, I want to race against top notch competition. Um, I want to do it in a place that I have not had success in before. Um, and I want to be successful this time.
SPEAKER_00So compare compare the European approach to racing versus how races conduct themselves over here. Like, and I'm talking about the athletes on the ground that you're competing against. Is there any difference?
SPEAKER_02I don't, I guess I don't I don't know.
SPEAKER_01I feel like people start out really, really fast and people hammer downhills in Europe. Um, like it was pretty funny. I was, you know, eventually we ran into the same course as the, what is it, the 75k, I think, or 70K. Um, and so, you know, by the time we get there, we're hitting like mid-pack 70ks. Um, and they would just be like walking up the hill. And then suddenly we get to the downhill and they're doing like a 630 pace. And I was just like, okay, like I guess that's one way to do it. Um, so that I thought was was pretty funny. But um, but yeah, I don't know. I mean, that's a pointy end, maybe it's all just fast. Um, but it did, I mean, that's the fastest I've ever started a race. Um, I think my first two miles were under seven minute pace. Um, and it wasn't like they were easy miles. So uh yeah, it's it's there's a lot of running.
SPEAKER_00Single track is also brought to you by Raid Research, our official equipment partner. If you've spent any time running with packs or belts that bounce, chafe, or just get in the way. The solution is Raid's LF2L belt, which is truly zero balance. And what stands out here is all the additional value as well. You get the belt, custom bottle, a stuff stack, all built with this incredible balance of performance, function, and style. Hard to find a brand that nails to all three. Raid does it. If you want gear that disappears when you're moving, but shows up when you need it. Check out Raid Research. Single track is also brought to you by John G, the official apparel partner of the shop. Good news. The spring 26 collection is here. There's a lot of great stuff there. Personally, I am going to be placing an order for their AFO five-inch middle shorts and their run all day. Tees is getting quite warm out here in Salt Lake City, so I'm ready for it. Um, yeah, I'll be racing all summer in a lot of their product, their half-tights, those shirts, they're versatile, and they're great even beyond the trails. So go check it out, johng.com. That's J-A-N-J-I.com. Do you, and again, I don't want to look too far forward, but obviously the next big race is Kokodona. Do you feel like that style start is actually a precursor to this year's? Like, is Kokodona gonna have a mayhem really fast type start this year?
SPEAKER_01I feel like it did last year. I mean, what do you think? I thought it started really fast.
SPEAKER_00It did. It did and is there a new level this year? I mean, you're you'll be dictating. You and Courtney are gonna be dictating.
SPEAKER_01I hope not. Um, I mean, I and it I think it's also probably relative because like an an eight-minute pace at something like Coca-Dona might be relatively fast. So if it's if it's like, do I think the first mile is gonna be an 830? Yes, I think that. Um, I think that probably the first four miles are gonna be sub-nine. Um, but I hope that maybe it doesn't stay that way for that long. Um, because yeah, I really I I do think one thing too that I'd been told and that I saw was like, yeah, you're gonna start off really fast, but then as soon as the first climb comes, everybody's gonna be walking. Um and that's actually true. And I was really thankful for it because I was like, oh, okay, cool. Like if we're walking, like I wasn't really trying to pass anybody when we were all just like hiking up this hill because it's like, well, this will only help later. Um so yeah, it was helpful. And I think Kogadona's probably gonna be the same. It's like, you know, once everybody hits the first climb, like, yeah, we're probably just gonna be like power hiking. Um, and you could pass if you want, or if you don't want to, then it'll probably help you. I don't know. I think it just doesn't really matter.
SPEAKER_00Give us the rundown on your gear and nutrition decisions yesterday, what worked, what didn't, what you're still gonna be fine-tuning for the next few weeks.
SPEAKER_01Well, I had gels. Um, I'm a notorious gel hater. And a couple weeks ago, Addy Bracey gave me a precision non-caffeinated gel. And she was like, here, just try it. And I did, and it was fine. Um, and so I texted Emily. Um, Emily Errol is my uh my, I guess, nutrition scientist that works with me at Precision. Um, and I texted her and I was like, don't get carried away with this information, but I did just have a gel and it was fine. Um, and so she was like, Oh, great. And so we she just like brought a case of gels, like just in case. Um, and it wound up being that uh the first like because you don't see crew until I think it's like the 30k mark or 35k mark. Um, and so she gave me like two gels and then a couple of chews, some drink mix. Um, and I I saw her at the first or the first crew date station and I was like, hey, I love gels. Like let's let's do a lot of gels. Um, so that was awesome. I mean, I'm I've been kind of hoping that that would happen because it they're just so they're so easy. You don't have to chew anything. You can just like it's done in a second. Um, but I think I averaged about um Emily will be coming out with a study, I guess. Um, but I think I averaged about 60 grams of carbs an hour. Um, which for me is awesome. Uh, because I usually do like 30 or less. So uh and I do think it was able to make me run faster. I was shocked at how fast I was running.
SPEAKER_00How about on the gear side of things? Pack, apparel, footwear.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So oh my god, I wore these zero five fives, nor does zero five fives, and they are the best. They are the best shoe. Um enjoy when they come out because uh yeah, they're so comfortable, they're very firm. Um, there was a Vibram setup at the start of the um expo. Um, and it had like a wet rock with like water running down it. And it was like, yeah, stand on this and check your Vibram. And I did, and I was like doing a squat on one leg. Um, and it it's super sticky, which came in handy during the race. Um, yeah, I mean, yeah, they're great shoes. So the 055s shout out. Um and then I wore the Nord long sleeve text shirt, which was nice because it was cold during the morning. Um, but then it also kind of protected me from the sun during the afternoon. So that was that was nice. Um, I did the uh the six liter tantrum vest. Um I don't remember if it's called the crest or the room, but um, but that was great. Um I did uh it comes with 0.6 liter bottles. So I did a calorie bottle and then a water bottle, and then I used the little tiny. Precision flasks that they usually you usually put gel in them, but I would just put soda or Red Bull in them. And so every once in a while I would like slurp down one of those. Um and then yeah, Corus watch. I didn't use poles. Um, none of the people in the front really used poles, um, which I thought was interesting, but um yeah, anyway. I dropped my poles, so now I've I feel silly because I have I have like no luggage space and I have poles in my luggage that I didn't even use.
SPEAKER_00So just a few more questions before we go.
SPEAKER_02Um what did you learn about yourself out there?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, that was a I'm just surprised at how much fun that was. Um I don't I don't know if I've ever been in a race that's been that close. Um, I think historically within my results, it's been like I am out front and two hours later is the next person. Um and so yeah, I was I was a little nervous at how like if that would affect my mindset. Um but it was sorry, there's a roller luggage coming by me.
SPEAKER_00Um The streets of Florence.
SPEAKER_01Streets of Florence, yeah. Um you're fine. Sorry. Uh but anyway, um, but yeah, I mean it was it was just really it was really fun to be a part of a race that close. Um it's funny because I said this before, but I really thought that I thought Yingvild was in fifth, or I'm sorry, Yingvild was in third, and then Courtney and I were in fourth and fifth the entire day. I thought this. Um, and so it's like, well, I don't know if me knowing that we were first, second, and third would have changed any of my strategies. Um and this is not a this is not a my crew did not tell me. This was just like a I they told me and I just it just didn't compute. Um but yeah, and I I think too, I keep I keep kind of learning this lesson. But um you can run so much faster than you think you can for a lot longer than you think you can if you're fueling correctly. Um that just really seems to be something that I keep learning. Um, because anytime I would start to feel even a little bit low, I would just like eat something or take in calories, and I would I mean within within 10 minutes, I would feel better. So yeah, couple couple things I learned, I guess.
SPEAKER_00Wow, okay. So in terms of be how you're a different runner at this time of year versus this time last year heading into Coca-Dona, like this nutrition piece is a huge level up.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think I I mean Coca-Dona really showed me that, like, hey, you can do better for longer if you eat. Um, and I think it's I've had more and more instances of it just being um confirmed, I guess. And Emily is gonna come be on my crew for Coca-Dona. And it was, oh my gosh, just like outsourcing my nutrition to her was such an awesome thing. Um, because I, you know, she and I talked before the race and she was asking me, like, all right, well, like how do you want me to do this? And I said, Emily, just whatever I'm supposed to eat before I see you next, just put it in my pack and I'll finish it. Um, and it was, I mean, it was flawlessly executed. So I'm excited to have her for Coca-Dona too.
SPEAKER_00Did you coming into this race, did you already know how good you were, or did you need this race against Courtney and Ingvilde to affirm your status at the top?
SPEAKER_01I think I think I didn't need I'm glad that this happened. Um, but I think that I knew this was a result I was capable of, to be honest. Um because like I know I know what a 22-hour high lonesome means. Um, and just because everybody else doesn't, that's not my problem. Um so so yeah. Uh so yeah, I don't know. I mean I'm I'm I'm glad to get that confirmation, I guess. But for me it's more like, all right, cool, now everybody can like now everybody can maybe see what I've believed. Um so yeah, I'm excited. But I'm also really I'm also really glad that I didn't win. Um because I'm I'm glad that I have something. I can there's an there's an upward limit that I haven't hit yet. Like if you nail it on the first try, like completely 100%, like that's not as much fun. Like I wouldn't, I wouldn't change my placement at all. Like I'm this is the happiest I've ever gotten.
SPEAKER_00Was it easy to decline the golden ticket to Western States?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it was. I'm just Western States is not on my radar this year. I think it would be really foolish to accept too many things, especially since I think the effort that's required at each of these races is a lot more than I'm used to, maybe. Um and so yeah, I mean, if I want to do well at Coca Donna, it's that's it's silly to race something at a high intensity, what is it like five or six weeks later, and then expect to turn around and do really well at UTMB. Like I just I don't think that's wise. So and I I talked about this with um my athlete managers across the board and kind of said, like, hey, so if this happens, like I don't want to assume that this is gonna happen, but if it does, like I think I am gonna say no. And like I hope that's okay. Um, and everybody was really supportive.
SPEAKER_02And you're genuinely excited for UTMB.
SPEAKER_01I am genuinely excited. Yeah, I think that that is much more of a race for me. Um it just it's a mountain race. It it speaks to a lot of the things that I like doing and that I am and strong in. Um, like this was a this was a running race. Like I think this is a good Western States golden ticket race because there is so much running that's involved. Um yeah, UTMB is much more my style. So I'm I'm really excited about that race.
SPEAKER_00Well, Rachel, congrats on the podium result. It was uh it was fun to to dot track all day. And thanks for the flexibility here recording in the streets of Florence. We made it work. This is awesome.
SPEAKER_01We made it work, yeah. I'm actually I'm right by the Ponta Vecchio. So I'm about to be able to walk across it. I'm really excited.
SPEAKER_00Enjoy the rest of your time there.
SPEAKER_01Thank you. Yeah, ciao.