Stephanie Case knows what endurance looks like. The 42-year-old human rights lawyer and ultramarathon runner has tackled some of the world’s toughest trails, but her recent win at the 100km Ultra-Trail Snowdonia came with a twist—this time, she had her six-month-old daughter Pepper with her, breastfeeding breaks and all.
Stephanie, who started the race 30 minutes after her competitors, crossed the finish line in her fastest time yet: 16 hours, 53 minutes, and 22 seconds. And in a surprise finish, she beat the runner-up by just a few minutes—despite pausing to nurse her daughter throughout the day.
“I was just so relieved that I didn’t know I was in the lead,” she told The Times. “It would have put so much pressure on the race. Instead, I just had the best time—running by feel and enjoying the experience.”
For the new mom, this wasn’t just about the win. It was her first race back after a deeply personal and emotional journey to motherhood. After three miscarriages and multiple rounds of IVF, she welcomed her daughter in November. Her return to running—six weeks postpartum—was gradual and supported by her midwife and coach Megan Roche. But being back on the trail, even with a newborn in tow, felt like coming home.
“Being able to reconnect with that part of my identity was so important for my physical and mental health,” Stephanie said. “Especially during that vulnerable postpartum period.”
Pepper didn’t just tag along—she became part of the story. Between aid stations, Stephanie swapped out the usual ultrarunner fuel (pizza and Coke) for breastfeeding sessions, proving that strength and softness can coexist.
And while Stephanie is no stranger to competitive finishes—she once discovered she was pregnant after placing second in a race across Colorado’s San Juan Range—this one felt different.
“I knew it was past Pepper’s bedtime, but it was great. I can’t wait until she grows up and I can show her the photos of what we did together,” she said.
Now living in Chamonix, France, Stephanie had previously scaled back her running after her first miscarriage, taking time to recover and recalibrate. There was no evidence that running caused her pregnancy losses, but stepping back felt like the right decision at the time.
This win, then, was about more than crossing a finish line. It marked resilience, recovery, and reconnection. With herself. With her daughter. And with the sport she loves.
Pepper might not remember the day, but her mom will. And one day, she’ll have the pictures—and the story—to show her what they accomplished together.
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