Download our Free 8-Week Plan here →
News

Sarah Carter Finds Her Rhythm Beyond the NCAA System

February 19, 2026
By
Anna F.

Cut from the University of Washington after injuries and a coaching change, Sarah Carter rewrote her path through a transfer, a pivotal Grand Canyon trail race, and a rebuild at Colorado State culminating in a pro trail breakthrough at UTMB events.

​Sarah Carter arrived at the University of Washington as one of Arizona’s brightest young distance talents. A Division I state champion in cross country, she left Phoenix for Seattle with a clear trajectory: compete, progress, go pro. Instead, injuries and a coaching change derailed her freshman and sophomore seasons. Weeks before the semester ended, she was cut from the team.

Sarah Carter (Credit: Ultrarunning)

​Advised by some to step away from competitive running, Carter chose otherwise. She entered the NCAA transfer portal and began searching for a mountain program that aligned with her long-term vision.

On the drive to a summer job, she stopped at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to run a trail half marathon, a spontaneous decision she now describes as pivotal.

The race, she says, reminded her why she started running.

​Carter transferred to Colorado State University, where she rebuilt both confidence and performance.

Over five years, she lowered her 5,000 meter personal best from 17 minutes to 15:44.

Encouraged by her coach to consider professional running, she pivoted toward trail racing after graduation.

​Her breakthrough came at Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB in 2024, her first 50k, where she discovered what she calls a natural rhythm on steep climbs.

In 2025, as a Topo athlete, she placed 15th overall female and third American at UTMB’s OCC.

​Sometimes losing a spot on a roster is the moment an athlete finally finds where she truly belongs.

You Might Also Like

Harry Styles Breaks Three Hours at Berlin Marathon, Finishes Among Top 5% of 48,000 Runners

Harry Styles stunned marathon fans in Berlin 2025, running 2:59:13 under an alias and finishing 2,245th out of 48,000+

Kenya’s Kennedy Kimutai Wins 2026 Paris Half Marathon as 50,000 Runners Fill the Streets

Paris welcomed 50,000 runners for the 2026 Paris Half Marathon, with Kennedy Kimutai and Ftaw Zeray taking the wins as crowds cheered along the Seine and through the Bois de Vincennes.

LA Marathon Allows Runners to Finish at 18 Miles Due to Heat Forecast

Los Angeles Marathon organizers are adding a heat-safety option: if race-day temperatures climb too high, runners may stop just after mile 18 and still receive a finisher medal. With forecasts rising from 12–13°C at the 7 a.m. start to 25–27°C by midday, the McCourt Foundation says the goal is preventing dangerous heat illness.

Jacob Kiplimo Sets New Half Marathon World Record with 57:20 in Lisbon

Jacob Kiplimo just rewrote the half-marathon record books in Lisbon, storming to a 57:20 victory without pacemakers, outkicking Nicholas Kipkorir late as Tsigie Gebreselama defended her women’s title in dominant fashion.

Study Finds Vitamin D Helps Maintain Immune Health, but Does Not Improve Running Performance

Vitamin D can help runners hold onto healthy levels through the dark winter months, and may support immune markers, but this new study found it doesn’t translate into better performance like VO₂max, power, or strength.

On Introduces Laceless Running Shoe Made by Robots in New South Korea Factory

On Running’s new LightSpray laceless shoe uses 32 robots to spray a seamless upper in just three minutes, cutting development from 18–24 months to as little as 3–4 and hinting at a faster, more automated future for running footwear.