Sally McRae

About

Sally McRae is an American professional ultrarunner, endurance coach, author, and motivational speaker from Orange County, California, known worldwide by the nickname Yellow Runner — a name rooted in a childhood moniker given to her by her mother, who described her as bright and shiny as the sun. Born on April 30, 1980, McRae competed in gymnastics and soccer growing up and captained the women's soccer team at Biola University before discovering trail running in her late twenties. She did not run her first ultra until the age of 30 and did not turn professional until three years after that, but she ascended quickly — becoming the first professional female trail athlete to be sponsored by Nike. Her defining competitive achievement came in 2021 when she won the Badwater 135, a 135-mile race through California's Death Valley in temperatures exceeding 120°F, widely regarded as one of the toughest ultra-distance events in the world, finishing in 30:48:47. She has also won the Moab 240, the Tarawera 100, and the Mozart 100, recorded two top-ten finishes at Western States 100, and in 2024 completed the Grand Slam of 200-Mile Races — winning multiple 200-mile events within a single year. Away from racing she is the author of Choose Strong, the founder and co-host of the Choose Strong Podcast, and the creator of the Sally McRae Strength App. She lives and trains in Orange County with her husband Eddie James and their two children.

Notable Wins

• — Badwater 135 2021 (women's champion
• — 30:48:47)
• — Moab 240
• — Tarawera 100 Mile
• — Mozart 100
• — Grand Slam of 200-Mile Races 2024
• — 2× Top 10 Western States 100

Race History

Recent Coverage