Sally McRae

Sally McRae is an American ultramarathon and trail runner, author, coach, speaker and podcast host. She is known for winning the Badwater 135 in 2021, winning the Moab 240 in 2023, and completing a 2023 series of four 200-mile and longer ultramarathons. McRae is also the author of Choose Strong: The Choice That Changes Everything and co-host of the Choose Strong podcast.

Early life and background

McRae has described endurance running and strength training as part of a wider philosophy of resilience, often expressed through the phrase "Choose Strong". She has been associated with the nickname "Yellowrunner" through her social media, coaching, podcasting and public speaking work.

In 2014, iRunFar profiled McRae as an Orange County-based runner and Nike Trail athlete after her second-place finish at the Sean O'Brien 50 Mile, which earned her entry into the Western States Endurance Run.

Running career

McRae has competed across a wide range of ultramarathon distances, including 50-kilometre, 100-kilometre, 100-mile, 135-mile, 200-mile and 250-mile events. Her major results have included appearances at the Western States Endurance Run, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, Mozart 100 by UTMB, Badwater 135, Cocodona 250 and Moab 240.

In 2023, McRae completed a series of four 200-mile and longer races that included the Cocodona 250, Tahoe 200, Bigfoot 200 and Moab 240. She won the women's race at the Moab 240 in 86 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds, capping the year-long project.

In 2026, McRae returned to long-distance racing after injury and finished the Cocodona 250, a 250-mile ultramarathon across Arizona.

2023 200-mile race series

McRae's 2023 season drew attention because she completed four 200-mile and longer races in a single year: Cocodona 250, Tahoe 200, Bigfoot 200 and Moab 240.

Book and media work

In 2023, McRae published Choose Strong: The Choice That Changes Everything, a memoir and motivational book centered on endurance, grief, faith, family and mental resilience.

McRae has appeared in endurance-running films and video projects, including films documenting her 2022 "Choose Strong" race project and her 2023 Moab 240 run.

Nike Trail sponsorship (2014–2026)

McRae was associated with Nike Trail for about a decade, beginning in the mid-2010s, until early-2026. In 2014, iRunFar described her as an Orange County-based runner and Nike Trail Team recruit after her second-place finish at the Sean O'Brien 50 Mile earned her entry into the Western States Endurance Run.

Nike Trail was absorbed into Nike ACG (All Conditions Gear), and in interviews, McRae has discussed the business side of professional trail running, and the significance of her Nike contract to her career. For instance, a 2024 episode of the Singletrack podcast discussed her Nike Trail contract signing in the mid-2010s, the development of her professional running career, and how athletes and creators can think about the business side of the sport.

Public profile and media coverage

McRae has been covered by specialist running publications, endurance-media outlets and sports podcasts. iRunFar profiled her in 2014 as a Nike Trail athlete before her first Western States appearance.

Selected results

Year Race Location Distance Time Overall place Notes Ref. 2014 Sean O'Brien 50 Mile Malibu, California, United States 50 mi — 2nd female Earned entry into Western States 2014 Western States Endurance Run Olympic Valley to Auburn, California, United States 100 mi 20:27:33 35th Seventh female 2018 Badwater 135 Death Valley, California, United States 135 mi 35:13:35 23rd Seventh female 2019 Mozart 100 by UTMB Salzburg, Austria 112 km 14:38:59 32nd Women's winner 2019 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc Chamonix, France 171 km 32:27:06 185th 23rd female 2021 Badwater 135 Death Valley, California, United States 135 mi 30:48:47 7th Women's winner 2022 Badwater 135 Death Valley, California, United States 135 mi 29:17:32 36th Sixth female 2023 Jackpot Ultra Running Festival Henderson, Nevada, United States 100 mi 17:42:23 9th Fourth female 2023 Cocodona 250 Arizona, United States 250 mi 87:48:49 22nd Fourth female 2023 Tahoe 200 Endurance Run California, United States 200 mi 74:08:25 11th Third female; masters winner 2023 Bigfoot 200 Washington, United States 200 mi — — Part of 2023 200-mile series 2023 Moab 240 Moab, Utah, United States 240 mi 86:18:33 12th Women's winner; completed 200-mile series 2026 Long Haul 100 Dade City, Florida, United States 100 mi 23:27:57 41st Return from injury 2026 Cocodona 250 Arizona, United States 250 mi 95:30:07 67th 17th female