Canadian-born Stephanie Case, a human rights lawyer and ultrarunner, ran and won the 100-kilometre ultramarathon in Wales six months after the delivery of her baby girl Pepper. Case stopped three times during the race to breastfeed her six-month-old daughter.

Case signed up for Ultra Trail Snowdonia 2025 after her daughter, Pepper, was born and hopes that her accomplishment inspires all new moms. Case was born in Kingston, Ontario, and grew up in Toronto and Oakville. She now lives in Chamonix, France, and calls ultrarunning her way to stay “sane and slightly insane” while balancing her busy job. She is also the founder of the women’s running advocacy organization Free to Run.

The 100 km race in Eryri, Wales, was her first ultramarathon in three years after struggling with fertility issues. Her participation in the Wales ultramarathon was practice for her upcoming 100-mile race scheduled for July in Colorado. Growing up, Case wasn’t the sporty type and was more of a bookworm. She remembers running one race at nine years of age, feeling embarrassed when her face turned red, and avoiding running until much later in life.

Case’s journey to become a mother was tough, as she faced two miscarriages and three rounds of IVF. During that time, some well-meaning people questioned if her running might have caused her pregnancy struggles, even though there’s no proof of that. It made her feel guilty and unsure every time she went for a run. During her recent 100-kilometre race in Wales, she stopped at two regular aid stations and one extra special stop to breastfeed her daughter, Pepper. Despite starting 30 minutes after the elite runners, she finished the race in 16 hours, 53 minutes, and 22 seconds.

Source: Laura Sebben, CTV News