Monique Muhlen

About

Monique Muhlen (born c.1953) is a pioneering Luxembourgish ultrarunner whose performances across her 50s, 60s and 70s constitute one of the most remarkable careers in the history of women's ultra-distance running. At age 51, she lined up at the 2004 UTMB — only the second edition of what would become the world's most famous trail race — and finished third in the women's race, a result that placed her among the event's founding legends. Two years later, at age 53, she entered Badwater 135 as a first-time competitor and produced one of the finest rookie performances in the race's history: second female and ninth overall in 32:25:52 across the 135 miles of Death Valley's desert floor and mountain switchbacks. She returned to Badwater in 2007 and has maintained an extraordinary volume of racing ever since: multiple completions of the Marathon des Sables (2012 through 2024), La Diagonale des Fous on Réunion Island (2017 and 2018), and repeated starts at the Leopard Ultra-Trail du Mullerthal in Luxembourg, still competing into her eighth decade. Her UTMB Index of 397 (career best 636) reflects an athlete whose longevity and range are virtually without parallel in European masters ultrarunning.

Notable Wins

• — UTMB 2004 3rd women
• — Badwater 135 2006 2nd women (32:25:52)
• — Marathon des Sables multiple finishes (2012-2024)
• — La Diagonale des Fous 2017 finisher
• — La Diagonale des Fous 2018 finisher

Race History