Emily Keddie made history at the 2026 Grand to Grand Ultra by becoming the first woman to win the 171-mile desert race outright, finishing ahead of every male and female competitor. According to a report published on October 14, 2026, Keddie completed the six-stage race on September 26 with a cumulative time of 37 hours, 51 minutes and 23 seconds.
Keddie, a resident of Bend, Oregon, secured the victory by defeating runner-up Andy Pearson by one hour, 18 minutes and 36 seconds. Pearson finished second overall in 39:09:59, while Reinhold Hugo followed in 42:28:40.
Keddie established herself as the overall leader on the first day of racing, completing the 30.8-mile opening stage in 5:50:29. Race organizers noted that this marked the first time a woman crossed a Grand to Grand stage finish line ahead of all other competitors. She maintained her lead through the second stage and expanded her advantage during a 53.2-mile third stage that included a crossing of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes.
Keddie participated in the event as part of a fundraising effort for the Best Friends Animal Society. She had previously discussed her connection to the organization's Kanab sanctuary and her dog, Jolly.
The seven-day Grand to Grand Ultra takes competitors from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon through remote desert terrain in northern Arizona and southern Utah, finishing near the Pink Cliffs of the Grand Staircase. Based in Kanab, the race is considered one of the most demanding endurance competitions in the region. The 2026 event began with 35 competitors, and 27 remained for the final stage.
