What's next for Mentor native Katie Spotz after completing 11 ultra runs in a row across Ohio?

It seems there’s nothing more powerful than a determined mind. Throw in a willing heart and you have Katie Spotz. That certainly comes to mind when considering her latest world-record challenge for charity. Just when you think she can’t top the last endurance effort, she does it again.

On July 1 at about 2 p.m., the 34-year-old finished the last of 11 ultra marathons at Edgewater Beach. That meant running about 31 miles a day for 11 days straight, from Cincinnati to Cleveland, for a total of 341 miles. She began her journey June 21.

Her goal was to break the female world record for the most consecutive ultra marathons in a row. An ultra marathon is anything over the standard 26.2-mile run.The current official record for most consecutive days running an ultra distance is 10, set by Erica Clarkson of the UK in 2019.

Spotz, who grew up in Mentor, anticipates hearing back from Guinness World Records within the next few months.While she wasn’t out to break a speed record, overall pace was 11- to 12-minute miles, and she was picking up the pace toward the end (Results are on Strava).

The challenge also served to raise $34,100 to fund 11 clean water projects for Ugandan schools through a partnership with nonprofit H2O for Life. The goal has since been raised to $40,000.

Donations are still be accepted for H2O 4 Life.