Champion ultrarunner on small-town life that helped her make history

Ruth Croft, who made history last month by winning the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc and becoming the first woman to complete an impressive hat-trick of ultramarathon victories, has spoken of how her New Zealand upbringing helped to prepare her for the gruelling discipline of professional ultramarathon running.

- Andy Cochrane

The 174km-long (108-mile) UTMB, the most prestigious ultramarathon in the world, passes through France, Italy and Switzerland, encircling the Mont Blanc massif. In winning the race, Croft became the first woman to win all three races of the UTMB World Series, which includes the shorter OCC and CCC races.

Growing up in Stillwater, population 86, Croft learned hard work from a young age. Her father ran a transport company, managing dozens of drivers and articulated lorries across the South Island’s 370-mile West Coast region.

“On school holidays I worked for my dad full time, sometimes 14-hour days,” said Croft. “Shitty jobs like cleaning drains or the grease bay. I don’t know anyone who works as hard as he does.”

Her mother and brother also worked for the family firm, and all three were often in the office from sunrise to sunset. The hard-work ethos made an impression on Croft, who, despite her success, has remained an enigma to many, as she almost never talks about herself.