PHOTOS COURTESY OF STANDHOPE CHALLENGE

The Standhope Challenge, the pinnacle sufferfest for runners in Idaho, gets underway today—Saturday, July 25—atop Trail Creek Summit.

There, runners will run up to a hundred miles around the Pioneer Mountains with multiple two-hour climbs and sections without trail before winding their way down Corral Creek Road to the race finish near Atkinsons Park in Ketchum..

They will see incomparable mountain peaks and clear mountain creeks along the way. But they will also have hot, hot temperatures with the high expected to approach 94 degrees in Hailey.

It’s a thrill to have the young’un waiting at the finish line.

Standhope is now managed by Mary and Tyler Martin. And Mary Martin recently opted to offer support for young mothers who are trying to balance the demands of motherhood while training for such a rigorous event.

Here’s her story, written by Ainsley Boan, a mother of two who has run the event several times.

BY AINSLEY BOAN

Ultrarunning has long celebrated grit, resilience, and determination. But, for many women, the challenges can feel insurmountable--far more daunting than 100 miles through the wilderness.

Runners set off in the Standhope Challenge.

Women sometimes feel they need to choose between being a mother and being an athlete, juggling breastfeeding, naptimes, physical changes through pregnancy and postpartum, interrupted sleep, and more. Finding races that acknowledge the realities of new motherhood remains uncommon. Standhope ultramarathon race organizer Mary Martin is working to change that.

Standhope Ultra Challenge started in 2012 and is the highest ultra race in Idaho. With 23,000 feet of climbing through the Pioneer Mountains, reaching an altitude over 11,000 feet, the 100-mile race is one of the toughest in the US. Runners may also choose the 30k or 60k distance, but all three provide technical terrain, arduous climbs and incredible views.

The challenging terrain and difficult-to-access aid stations makes the race exceptionally difficult for new mothers who need added support for nursing infants or pump stations. Mary Martin personally experienced the lack of support for new moms after her daughter was born and she was ready to race again. When she became race director in 2025, she made it her mission to do something about it.

Martin believes that supporting women in endurance sports requires more than words—it requires practical solutions.

The runners fan out across Trail Creek Summit.

Among the race's most notable initiatives are dedicated nursing stations, where breastfeeding mothers can feed or pump during longer events. The race will also transport pumped milk and allow support crews to bring babies to aid stations to nurse.

“I think if I can help support just one mom to not feel so lonely and sad during that postpartum experience by getting them out to get fresh air and have something to invest in themselves then I think it would be all worth it to me.” said Martin.

The result is more than improved race-day comfort. It sends a message that women belong at every starting line regardless of what stage of life they are in.

Raising a child takes a village, and providing support to pregnant runners and new moms sends the message that they are not alone.

Mary Martin starts training for Standhope while snow is still on the ground.

“Pyper (Martin’s daughter) wasn't taking a bottle; I felt stuck around her feeding schedule. I was honestly in such a dark place going from being this independent active adventurous person to feeling like I was stuck on a three-hour feeding window…” said Martin

Martin asked these questions:

What would have helped me keep training with an infant?

What would make these mountains more accessible for women?

How could Standhope lead the way in supporting moms?

What systems and spaces could make a mountain race feel possible, not intimidating?

Martin used these guiding questions in her pursuit of making Standhope Ultras supportive for new moms. In addition to the pumping and nursing tents, breast milk transportation, and family crew access to aid stations, the finish line is also designed to be family friendly with a kids’ loop and prizes to keep your little ones entertained while they wait for their parent(s) to cross the finish line.

Martin started a nonprofit called “She Runs Wild Foundation” to help give back to women in the ultra-community. Their mission is to support new moms through nutritional coaches, pelvic floor therapy, and ultimately give them a free entry to the Standhope race.

Martin’s goal is to scholarship 10 women every year with her foundation. Additional support came this year from Cascade Endurance, providing free athletic training to women registered for the Standhope races. Alison Naney offers online support and a weekly zoom call to answer women’s training questions, as well as providing a basic training plan to make sure runners stay on track.

“Moms literally build life, bring life into this world and then grow life.” says Martin. “I think we can at least support them in that journey and make it easier for them to pursue their own dreams while doing all of that.”

How did the idea for supporting postpartum runners originate?

Once I got out of the newborn trenches, I couldn't find a race that truly supported new moms. I had a really hard and very dark postpartum experience and nature has always been my therapy. If I could have had something to work for that I knew would be supportive of myself, but also my baby, then I likely would have been motivated to get out and train which in turn I think would have taken me out of a really dark mental headspace I was in.

Why did Standhope decide to invest in coaching, nutrition, and pelvic-floor therapy rather than simply offering race entries?

Because I want to make sure when we get the moms back into running after having a baby, we do it in a way that is lifelong. I don't want the scholars to be just a quick project to get them to run our race; I want to invest in their long-term health so even when they are not in our program anymore, they can continue running and we have built a strong foundation for them to always have moving forward.

What outcomes have you seen so far?

This is the first year for this initiative! So far, I have had a lot of positive feedback. I've had organizations like For All Mothers say they have been trying to get a race to do this for years and nobody is willing to do it...until me. I think there is a large need and I hope each year I can refine the process so that other races can look at what we are doing and see it's not that scary after all.

What is your vision for the program in five years?

In five years I hope we aren't known as the only race that supports new moms so well, but that it's common for races to support moms in all stages of life.

Learn more about the Standhope Challenge at https://standhope100.com/.