Francesca Canepa – A Veteran’s Mind, a Champion’s Heart, and a Final 6km Masterclass
Italian trail legend Francesca Canepa entered the 200 mile Championship with something no one else had: more than two decades of elite racing experience, one in snowboarding and 15 years in running.
So while younger athletes surged through the early kilometres, Francesca played the long game: conserving energy, managing heat, and reading the course like a strategist plotting a checkmate.
Her early pacing was deliberate, bordering on conservative. But for those who know Francesca’s racing style, it was a warning sign that she was exactly where she needed to be.
As night fell and the race entered its decisive phase, the field began to splinter. By the 130 km mark, Francesca had moved into striking distance, her cadence smooth and her posture unbroken. Instead of chasing aggressively, she stuck to the plan and just flowed through the miles following her own pace, focused on feeling comfortable and happy.
Around km 260 she caught Jodie Stutt and decided to share the lead at least for a while because 200 miles all alone are so long and also because women often empower themselves together.
But then, with just 6 km remaining, Francesca decided to better honor the race and herself as well, and launched a calculated surge that stunned spectators and competitors alike. On a rugged climb known for breaking spirits, she found another gear with calm efficiency and never looked back. The final kilometres were the fastest of her entire second half of the race.
Crossing the finish line in 59:40:02, Francesca Canepa claimed the women’s 200 mile World Championship title, reaffirming her place among the sport’s greats. It was not just a victory of strength, but of intellect, patience, and mastery.
Her finish drew some of the loudest cheers of the week, and her performance became the defining veteran storyline of the Grand Final.
Francesca’s message afterward captured her approach perfectly:"Ultras are not won in the first kilometres. They’re won when everyone else thinks the race is over. Experience teaches you when to wait—and when to fly."
