Since getting into ultras in 2017, Laura Swanton- Rouvelin has become one of the most decorated British women in the sport, winning races including the 100-mile Arc of Attrition, The Autumn 100 and the Devon Coast to Coast.
As well as the longer races, Laura is also big fan of 50 milers, most recently taking on the Chiltern Wonderland 50, Thames Trot 50 miler and Butcombe Trail 56, placing first and setting a new course records at all three events.
Laura also has a number of FKT’s to her name and has completed some of the UKs hardest races, such as Lakeland 100, The West Highland Way and The Ridgeway Ultra. In 2018 she completed the Centurion 100 mile grand slam where she was placed 1st, 3rd overall and on the podium for all 4 100 mile events.
In 2022 Laura started running even longer distances, completing the 268-mile winter Spine race in 4th place. In 2023 she completed the summer version, finishing in 2nd place. Laura then went on to complete the Centurion Winter Downs 200 mile race in the same year, finishing 1st in 63hrs47. Laura has just completed the Hardmoors 200 finishing in 57hours 48, 1st placed female and 4th overall, becoming only the 4th woman to complete this race within the strict time limit of 60 hours. She also recently placed first overall and set a new course record of 120 miles at GB Ultras Hope24 race. Laura is heading back to the Winter Spine in 2025!
An incredible athlete, Laura started running in 2008 as a way to regain fitness four months after the birth of her second child. Laura trained for her first marathon whilst being a single parent to three children under the age of seven and studying full time at university, wanting to show that you can fit training in if you want it enough. She has gone on to complete part of a masters degree fitting in training by running to work and back, often squeezing in a ride on her pony amongst all this! Believing anything is possible if you want it enough. She is also currently studying to become a coach. Laura, aged 44, works as an advanced practice breast radiographer in the NHS, as well as being a running coach and lives in Devon with her husband, three children, pony and many animals.