No Mountain Too High: Katie Schide Smashes the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning

In the world of ultrarunning, a single major win can define a career. But for Katie Schide, one victory wasn’t enough. Over the last three years, she’s pieced together a streak unlike anything the sport has seen: wins at UTMB, Western States, Diagonale des Fous, and now Hardrock 100—the fabled “Grand Slam” of the sport’s most rugged and iconic races. And she didn’t just win Hardrock this year—she shattered the course record, sealing her legacy as one of the greatest ultrarunners of all time. Her historic Hardrock 100 performance in Silverton, Colorado, wasn’t a fluke by any means. It was a masterclass in pacing, grit, and calculated fueling. In fact, it’s the last point—fueling—that Schide points to as one of the keys to her rise from elite to seemingly unbeatable.

The Final Jewel — Hardrock 100

Katie Schide’s 2025 Hardrock victory was not just a win—it was pure domination. She tackled the 102.5-mile course with 33,000 feet of elevation gain in 26 hours and 10 minutes, breaking the previous women’s course record and leaving a field of world-class competitors in her dust.

From the opening climb up Dives-Little Giant to the long descent into Silverton, Schide ran with characteristic control and poise. “You can’t fake it at Hardrock,” she said at the finish line, visibly emotional. “Every section asks a different question. And today I had the answers. Those answers were earned through years of consistent training and smart racing—but also by mastering the most overlooked pillar of ultra success: nutrition.

A 3-Year Partnership with Neversecond

For the past three seasons, Schide has worked closely with Neversecond, using their scientifically formulated fueling system to dial in every calorie and electrolyte she needs during her races. Her go-to tools? The C30 Energy Gels and C30 Sports Drink, both of which deliver a precise 30 grams of carbohydrate per serving and optimal sodium for endurance performance.

“I used to guess,” Schide admits. “Some days I’d feel great, others I’d crash. Once I started working with Neversecond, I stopped guessing. I started planning.” At Hardrock, she executed that plan to perfection—taking in 70 to90 grams of carbohydrate per hour, alternating C30 gels and drink mix depending on the terrain and aid station spacing. The result? Stable energy, no stomach issues, and consistent pace from mile one to mile one hundred. In a race where high altitude, cold nights, and relentless climbing can shred the strongest runners, Schide stayed steady. “People think it’s all about toughness,” she said post-race. “But sometimes the toughest thing is sticking to your plan when it gets hard. Nutrition helps me do that. It’s like a safety net.”

The Road to Ultra Greatness

Schide’s win at Hardrock is the culmination of a career arc that began more than a decade ago. A trained geologist with a background in ski mountaineering, she burst onto the ultra scene in Europe with a series of gritty podium finishes, including a 2nd-place at UTMB in 2021. But it was her 2022 victory at UTMB—the world’s most prestigious ultra—that announced her arrival as a true star.

She followed that with a stunning win at Diagonale des Fous in 2023, a brutal 100+ mile island traverse on Réunion known for heat, technical terrain, and punishing climbs. The following summer, she headed stateside to claim victory at the 2024 Western States 100, where she once again leaned on her fueling plan to stay cool and composed through California’s high-country heat.

Each race posed its own challenge. UTMB tested her alpine endurance. Diagonale pushed her through nightmarish jungle trails. Western States forced her to run fast in scorching temperatures. And Hardrock? It demanded everything—altitude acclimation, patience, and raw mountain strength. But through every challenge, Schide brought the same core tools: consistency, meticulous planning, and Neversecond fueling.

Fueling for the Long Game

Many athletes view nutrition as an accessory. Schide treats it as a strategy. Unlike other fueling products with vague carb values or negligible sodium, Neversecond products are fully aligned with elite endurance science—designed to be repeatable, measurable, and stomach-friendly. Schide says she’s taken C30 Gels on multi-day mountain missions, and C30 Drink Mix has become a staple during big training blocks in both the Alps and U.S.

“You don’t win four of the biggest ultras in the world by winging it,” she says. “You win by stacking the details every day—fueling, recovery, training. Neversecond helps me stack those details better than anything else I’ve used.”

More Than a Record

For Schide, Hardrock 2025 wasn’t just about the record. It was about proving something deeper: that women’s performances at 100-mile mountain races can be just as dominant, just as fast, and just as thrilling as the men’s. Her course record now sits among the best all-time performances at Hardrock, full stop. And with her name now etched in the history of the four most iconic ultramarathons on the planet, Schide has become a blueprint for what’s possible when talent meets intention.

Looking Ahead

Katie Schide has nothing left to prove—but that doesn’t mean she’s done. There are whispers she may return to defend her title at UTMB, or test herself on the rugged trails of Madeira or the Colorado Trail. Wherever she races next, one thing is certain: she’ll be bringing Neversecond with her. And based on the past three years, that means she’ll also be bringing world-class performance, dialed to the gram.

As she told a crowd of fans in Silverton after her win: "This sport asks so much. You have to respect it, prepare for it, and trust yourself. I’ve learned how to do that—and I’m just getting started."

Photo Credit Ryan Thrower, Freetrail, 2025