Nikki Kimball

Nikki Kimball (born May 23, 1971) is an American distance runner specializing in the Ultramarathon. She ran her first 100-mile race at the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in 2004, and was the female winner. She was the winning female at Western States again in 2006 and 2007, becoming only the third woman to win Western States three times. In 2014, she won the Marathon Des Sables multi-stage endurance race on her first attempt. Prior to running, her main sport was cross-country skiing. She was crewed at the 2007 Western States by U.S. Senator Max Baucus of Montana, where Kimball lives. She lives in Bozeman, Montana.

Early life

Kimball grew up in Chittenden, Vermont, and had an active childhood spent outdoors hiking and cross-country skiing. A physician advised that Kimball started cross-country skiing when she was a child, in order to stop her feet turning in. For high school, Nikki went to Holderness School, which is in Holderness New Hampshire and helped her develop her passions for many of the things she does today.

Career highlights

Ultra marathon Western States 100 Champion 2004, 2006, 2007 1st place, Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, 2007 50-Mile Trail National Champion 2003, 2004, 2005, Crystal Mountain, Washington 50-Mile Road National Champion 2005, State College, Pennsylvania. Broke course record by 23 minutes Set course records at numerous 50-milers 1st place, American River 50-Mile, 2003 (fastest time by an American woman in 2002-2003 2nd Place, National 100K Championships, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2001 1st place, Marathon Des Sables, 2014 2nd place, Big Horn 100m, 2016 2nd place, HURT 100m, HI, 2017 2nd place, Hardrock 100, 2018

Mountain running Member of United States Mountain Running Team 2001-2003; 24th overall, 2nd American, World Mountain Running Trophy 2003, Girdwood, Alaska Mt. Washington Road Race 2003, 2nd place, 1st American New England Mountain Running Champion 2001, runner-up 2003 Set numerous course records

Trail running Bridger Ridge Run, 1st place, Bozeman, Montana, 2004 (course record) Grand Tree Trail Race Series: undefeated in all races run in 2000-2002 Set course records in 9 New England Grand Tree races, 2000-2003 Pennsylvania State Trail Running Champion, 1998 Run the Rann, 1st place, Dholavira, Gujarat, India, 2014

Road running Road marathon wins also include Adirondack Marathon, Schroon, NY; Green Mountain Marathon, Grand Isle, VT; Great Potato Marathon, Boise, ID, Salt Lake City Marathon; Lewis and Clark Marathon, Bozeman, MT

Snowshoe racing U.S. National Champion 2001, 2004, 2005; runner-up 2003 Member of U.S. National Team 2003-2005

Awards, other athletic achievement and running community involvement Set a new women's record for fastest supported time on Vermont's Long Trail, 273 miles in 5 days 7 hours 42 minutes, August 13–18, 2012. The record breaking attempt was captured in the documentary film "Finding Traction" Member of USATF Mountain/Ultra/Trail Council 2002 to 2005; Championship Chair 2005 Member of the 100K Task Force for USATF Member of U.S. Snowshoe Association advisory board 2004-2005 1st place team Moab Adventure Xstream, 2005 North American Female Ultra Runner of Year 2003, 2004, 2007 (Ultrarunning magazine) USATF Ultra Runner of the Year 2004 15K Biathlon U.S. Olympic Team Trials, 13th place, 1994 Williams College Ski Team 1989-93; skied to top-20 finishes in Division I NCAA National Championships all four years Two-time winner of the Williams College Alumnae Ski Award

Personal life Kimball has depression, and refers to it as her secret weapon.