Ashley Paulson: Who Is She? The Record-Holder For Badwater 2022 Is Accused For Cheating
Sophia Hammond
Updated on March 29, 2026
Ashley Paulson: Who Is She? The Record-Holder For Badwater 2022 Is Accused For Cheating
By running 135 miles in 24:09:34, professional triathlete and iFit teacher Ashley Paulson shattered the previous mark.
Many people think that she may have cheated in order to win. What truly took place? Let’s look into it.
Ashley Paulson: Who Is She?
The 40-year-old Utah County native Ashley Paulson is motivated by her father, a devoted marathon runner. From the age of 8, she joined her father in the running.
Triathlete Ashley Paulson of Saint George is coached by Ryan Hall, the U.S. half-marathon and marathon record holder. On her Instagram, she refers to herself as Matt Paulson’s wife and states that they are married. In addition, she has stated that she is the mother of her four children.
Her husband Matt is so tremendously kind and encouraging of the, as he frequently shows up throughout her race and supports her.
In addition to being an AFAA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, she currently holds certifications in cycling, kickboxing, and Zumba.
Badwater 2022 record holder Ashley Paulson is accused of cheating
Ashley Paulson, who came in third overall, broke Patrycja Bereznowska’s previous female record with a time of 24:09:34.
Due to allegations of past course-cutting, a drug suspension, an astonishing finishing split, and opinions regarding the route, Ashley’s result is being heavily disputed.
The Toughest Footrace in the World is known as Badwater. Winners are not compensated in any way. This year, 94 people started the invitation-only race, and 77 of them finished it.
ICYMI – Ashley Paulson finished third overall and over four minutes faster than the previous record for women at the just-concluded #Badwater135 event. She also won the women’s division. In 24:09:34, she completed a difficult 135 miles in the desert heat and alpine cold. pic.
In order to beat the record, the athlete ran 135 kilometers in the desert heat and mountain cold.
People believed she was cheating because of her achievement, but this was not the case. Ashley beat many of the top runners’ career best times in these parts, according to the run table.
Patryjca finished the 13+ miles from Lone Pine to the finish line 37 minutes faster than she did in 2019 when she broke the course record. With a time of less than 12 minutes, she ran the 3.9 miles faster than Patryjca did when she set the previous record.
The fact that she ran the final 13 miles faster than practically any man in history is even more incredible. faster than Scott Jurek, Mike Morton, Harvey Lewis, Pete Kostelnik, and more. The top three finishers overall and only Jorge Pacheco and Oswaldo Lopez have completed this segment more quickly. Over the last 4 miles, only Oswaldo has ever finished with a quicker split.
The review is appropriate given Ashley’s stellar performance and earlier controversies. If it could be proved that her run was legal, it would be a fantastic story of redemption.
Marathon and Track Career of Ashley Paulson
Paulson returned to athletics after completing her USADA ban in 2017, and since then, she has completed 97 marathons and one Ultra Ironman triathlon, which is twice as long as a conventional triathlon.
She completed the 2021 Pony Express Trail Run in 17:26:40. According to legend, Pony Express moved fairly rapidly.
Ashley Paulson finished the Deseret News Marathon on July 23, 2021, in a time of 2:48.20, taking first place among female competitors.
By covering 135 miles in under 24:09:34, she smashed the Badwater 2022 record. The mother of four reportedly began training for marathons and Ironman triathlons twelve years ago.
Triathlon by Ashley Paulson
The USADA banned Ashley from participating in triathlon events for six months in 2016. Initially suspended for 4 years, the punishment was later shortened to 6 months.
On September 14, 2015, a urine sample collected outside of competition contained ostarine, a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), and Paulson tested positive for it.
SARM usage is prohibited by the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing.