Comeback Queen

In the world of ultrarunning, comebacks aren’t just celebrated—they’re legendary. The trails have seen their fair share of broken bones, broken dreams, and athletes who disappear quietly after injury or defeat. But every so often, a story emerges that doesn’t just inspire, it redefines what resilience looks like. Abby Hall’s victory at the 2025 Western States 100 is one of those stories.

Just two years ago, Hall was sidelined by a brutal knee injury that shattered her 2023 Western States ambitions before they even reached the start line. For any athlete, especially one at the peak of her career, the physical toll of such an injury is enormous. But the emotional cost? That’s often the steeper climb. “I wasn’t sure I’d come back,” Hall later admitted. “And if I did, I knew I’d have to do it differently. Smarter. More dialed. More patient.”

A Setback that Sparked a Shift

The injury, which stemmed from overuse and compounded during the lead-up to Western States 2023, wasn’t just a freak accident—it was a wake-up call. Hall had been riding the momentum of several strong seasons, racing frequently and pushing the edge. Like many elite endurance athletes, she was skating the fine line between peak performance and burnout. But as she traded trail shoes for physical therapy bands and podiums for MRI scans, Hall was forced to reassess not just her training—but her entire approach to the sport. “Rehab taught me discipline in a whole new way,” she said. “I couldn’t train the way I was used to. So I had to look at everything else I could control.” And control she did.

Building a New Foundation

By early 2024, Hall was slowly returning to consistent mileage—but with a changed mindset. She rebuilt her body through meticulous strength work, mobility routines, and a more intentional approach to load management. She surrounded herself with a new team that emphasized long-term sustainability over short-term gains. Every detail—sleep, recovery, mental training—was re-examined and refined. But one of the most pivotal changes came in her nutrition.

Hall made the switch to Neversecond, the precision fueling company trusted by elite cyclists and endurance athletes around the globe. For years, she had struggled to find a fueling system that worked seamlessly during 100-mile efforts. Gels too thick. Sodium too low. Carbs too imprecise. “With Neversecond, I finally felt like I wasn’t guessing anymore,” Hall explained. “The C30 Energy Gels and C30 Sports Drink gave me exactly what I needed, when I needed it. I knew I was getting the right amount of carbs and sodium every hour—and that peace of mind is huge when you’re 12 hours into a race.” She trained religiously with the product—testing different combinations, dialing in her sodium needs, and tracking her intake across long efforts. It wasn’t just about gut comfort. It was about performance and precision. By race day in 2025, her fueling plan was a protocol, not a hope.

The Return to the Canyon

When Abby Hall toed the line at the 2025 Western States 100, she did so not as a dark horse, but as a quiet contender. The attention was on flashier names. She was the athlete who once showed promise, the one with unfinished business. The one who had been broken. By the time she reached Foresthill, there was no doubt: she was very much back. Patient through the high country. Steady through the canyons. Calculated through the infernal heat of the day. Hall moved with the calm of someone who had been here before—but now had the tools to execute. It wasn’t the fastest early pace of the day. But it was the smartest. “Every hour, I had my fueling locked in,” she said afterward. “No guesswork. No bonks. No cramping. I’ve never felt more in control during a 100-miler.” As the field splintered under the sun and carnage set in across the course, Hall’s calm, steady presence grew stronger. When she crested Robie Point and turned toward the track, the roar of the crowd met a runner transformed—not just by injury, but by introspection and intention. She crossed the finish line in Auburn to thunderous applause—and a time that placed her among the greats.

More Than a Win

What Abby Hall did at Western States 2025 wasn’t just about winning. It was about doing what so many athletes fear is impossible: coming back better. Her journey reminds us that greatness isn’t always born in the spotlight. Sometimes it begins in quiet gym corners. In physical therapy offices. In skipped races and small decisions. In the long, slow process of rebuilding—smarter, slower, stronger. And Hall’s story is a testament to the power of fueling that process correctly. The switch to Neversecond wasn’t a gimmick—it was a game-changer. From the C30 Energy Gels that kept her stomach settled and sodium replenished, to the sports drink that helped her hydrate and sustain pace in triple-digit temperatures, Hall’s win was in many ways a celebration of the margins. The small things that, over 100 miles, add up to everything.

What's Next?

With her Western States redemption now complete, the question naturally turns to what comes next. Hall isn’t rushing an answer. “There’s more I want to do in the sport,” she said, “but I’m not chasing wins anymore. I’m chasing mastery.” Whatever that means—whether it's future podiums, new adventures, or inspiring the next wave of resilient runners—one thing is certain: Abby Hall is no longer the runner who was derailed by injury. She’s the runner who turned it into fuel. And in doing so, she’s become something even rarer than a champion. She’s become a comeback queen.

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