Case has been competing in ultramarathons for almost 20 years but took a break recently, and whilst suffering through multiple miscarriages, and underwent multiple rounds of IVF.
The 42-year-old human rights lawyer from Canada had stepped away from running when it stopped becoming a source of joy and felt instead more like a source of guilt.
She told Runner’s World, “I really felt like I had lost my identity with the loss of running through miscarriages and IVF, and I really didn’t know how it would all turn out.”
Now, three years on, she has made her return postpartum with her six-month-old by her side.
When Case made it to the aid stations in North Wales, she knew that she was not just refuelling for herself, but also making sure she had enough to maintain her milk supply to breastfeed along the way.
Stephanie Case stopped to breastfeed at three separate aid stations, not thinking about the clock, but instead just proud to be back running again, and this time with her new daughter.
It wasn’t until a few minutes after she crossed the 100km line that she was told she had the record for the fastest woman in the race.
Despite starting in the back of the pack and about 30 minutes after the elite runners, Case clocked in at 16:53:22, more than 4 minutes faster than the runner-up, ultimately crowning her the 100km winner.
“Now, getting to have both running back and the baby, it really feels like a privilege.”
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