Abbie Dennison, which race are you going to run in Vasaloppet's Summer Week 2025?

Name: Abigail “Abbie” Dennison
Age: 24
Lives in: Winchester, United Kingdom
Occupation: Fitness content creator and coach
Social media: instagram.com/abbiedennisonfit and youtube.com/@abbiedennisonfit/featured
Previous races in the Vasaloppet Arena: None

Abbie, which race will you participate in during Vasaloppet’s Summer Week 2025?
– Ultravasan 90.

When did you first hear about Vasaloppet and Ultravasan?
– I first heard about Ultravasan through a new friend I met at run club. She mentioned she had her eye on the race, and after looking into it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it either.

Why are you participating in Ultravasan 90 and what are your expectations?
– I wanted to take on something that genuinely scares me, a challenge that’s as much mental as it is physical. I’m drawn to the idea of testing my limits and pushing through the moments where it’s all about mindset. Ultravasan feels like the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Have you been to Sweden before or have you watched the race at Vasaloppet.TV on your computer? What do you think of the race?
– I’ve never been to Sweden, and I haven’t watched the race yet either, so I’m going in a bit blind! But I’ll definitely be doing more research and watching past races as we get closer to race day.

Who are you travelling with and/or will run with?
– I’m travelling and racing with my friend Astra.

How did your “fitness journey” start?
– I started out as a track sprinter between the ages of 14 and 18, focusing on the 200m and 400m. So signing up for an ultramarathon feels like a full 180! After sprinting, I naturally moved into strength and hypertrophy training, which I loved and felt strong doing. But I missed the feeling of having a big goal to work toward, which led me to long distance running in 2024. I ran the Amsterdam and Valencia marathons that year, and haven’t stopped running since. I’ve also combined my love for strength and endurance by doing HYROX, it’s the perfect mix for me and keeps training interesting.

How do you train?
– My training combines strength work, running, and functional conditioning. Coming from a sprinting background, I’ve always had explosive power, so strength training is something I’ve stuck with. But adding running into the mix (especially long distance) has given me a whole new appreciation for endurance and consistency. I love training for overall performance, rather than just one specific discipline.

Have you been running other races abroad?
– Yes! In 2024, I ran the Amsterdam and Valencia marathons, and the Paris Half Marathon in March 2025.

Running is right now becoming more and more popular especially among young women, why is that do you think?
– Running gives women a space to focus on strength, discipline, and community, not just appearance or weight loss. It’s empowering to work toward something measurable that has nothing to do with aesthetics. And with social media, more women are seeing what’s possible, feeling inspired, and realising they belong in endurance sport too.

Who would you like to see or challenge in your race this summer?
– Honestly, anyone who’s out there doing it for themselves. I’d love to run alongside more women who are stepping outside their comfort zone, whether it’s their first ultra or their tenth. Seeing other women push themselves is always motivating, and I’d love to cheer each other on out there.

If you were to also participate in a race in Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2026 (cross country skiing), what race would you choose, and why?
–I’d go for one of the 30 km races. I use the ski erg regularly for HYROX training, but my actual ski experience is pretty limited, so I’d definitely want to start with something manageable and build from there.

Good luck! Welcome to Sweden; we look forward to seeing you at the finish line portal in Mora!
– I’m really looking forward to the race!