Flower Power

Jazmine Lowther is the super-talented Canadian ultra runner who won the 100K race at UTCT in November 2024. She's a free spirit who loves nothing better than being in nature. We caught up with this world champ in the making to find out more about what makes her tick.

If you follow trail running you’ll most likely have seen the effortless-looking masterclass delivered by Jazmine Lowther at 2024's Ultra-Trail Cape Town, where she won the 100K women’s race by over 45 minutes and came 7th overall. Only Courtney Dauwalter has recorded a faster woman’s time. Meeting her pre-race we couldn’t help feeling that, despite her relatively low profile in the lead-up, she was our overwhelming favourite, and how right she proved us.

Much of Jazmine’s active early life was spent playing hockey, dancing, and climbing real Canadian mountains. She’s a biology graduate dedicated to creating a sustainable environment, and a coach who has co-authored a training guide.

Her first notable race was the 2022 100K race at the Canyons Endurance Run by UTMB, where she broke the course record. She’s also won the Speedgoat 50K, placed 2nd at Transgrancanaria and was 4th at the 2022 UTMB CCC on debut. This kind of heritage, plus thoroughbred genetics and a bright, inquisitive mind make for an athlete with that special x-factor that could see her become one of the world’s greats. We fully expect to see her win the UTMB 100 miler and world championships in the near future.     

Jazmine, you grew up in a classic Canadian mountain village, Nelson in British Columbia, where your parents still live. You couldn’t script a trail career setting much better. Tell us more about your hometown.

Nelson is a humble yet colourful and free-spirited mountain town. It’s in a region of lakes with mountains rising above, dotted with alpine meadows and glaciers. Time slows to a relaxed pace called “Kootenay time”. It’s grounded in a “No stress, just love. Come when you can” mentality. Kootenay, a term for the region, has its roots in the local Ktunaxa First Nations people who live in this area and to this day still protect its pristine natural beauty. If you walk down Baker Street (the main street), you are guaranteed to see a few wizards, a handful of crystal shops and medicinal marijuana outlets among the coffee shops, as well as people from all kinds of diverse backgrounds. 

In the summer, it’s vibrant. There’s an audible buzz of backyard garden pot-lucks, beautiful natural glowing skin, and kids with names like Arya, Indigo, Boden and Archer playing barefoot on the sandy beaches. It’s carefree, it’s safe, it’s grounded. 

It took me some time to realise the wider world was not quite so picturesque. Sometimes it takes leaving paradise and returning to appreciate how special a place truly is.

Tell us more about your school years, where we believe you were very active – training dance,  playing soccer, climbing rocks – until a little too much experimentation saw you drop it all and land in quite serious trouble.

During my high-school years I was on four soccer teams, two of which competed internationally. And somehow at the same time I went to four separate dance academies. Typically I trained for about four hours during school hours, and then after school until about 8pm. Weekends were busy with multiple games or dance performances. I truly don’t understand how either I or my parents managed it all. But I enjoyed it, and I thrived. In my last year of high school, however, I dropped everything. 

From when I was about 12, until around age 22, I always dabbled with substances. The hippies in the area rubbed off on me I think. It’s still there. It adds an almost spiritual worldview, a reverence for the serendipitous wonders of the world. It allowed for a connection. I grew up very open-minded to different philosophies. Sometimes that meant my dabbling went a little too far. I let go of my sports and explored my mind partying and experimenting. 

It led to me getting caught up in trouble. It was a moment where I thought I’d lost everything – or perhaps lost all the privilege that a middle-class family provides. I didn’t think I could travel, or get a university degree. It felt like it was all lost. 

After much reconciliation, I was given a second chance. I did community service in a homeless shelter for over a year, working with people who lived on the streets, providing food, medicine, clothing, and care. I also attended drug and alcohol treatment groups. I gradually grew away from partying and substance abuse and returned to movement. Running, albeit very casually, was the first movement I returned to. It was simple, just needing a pair of shoes. 

It was actually only when I went to university to study biology that I found rock-climbing. I quickly grew passionate about the sport, and dove into it for about a decade. Every free minute was spent getting to a rock, climbing, or talking about climbing. 

Ironically, it took leaving Nelson for me to truly find an outdoor lifestyle. When I returned years later, I finally discovered the natural gifts the area has to offer. 

You’ve mentioned having a natural talent for cross-country running and also for sprinting, which led to you being talent-scouted young for track & field. However you felt that didn’t suit your personality. Describe what drew you to endurance sports instead of sprinting or other disciplines?

I’ve always enjoyed running longer distances. There’s something about spreading time out in a mental headspace of pushing. Its like comparing a spicy pinprick (sprinting) to a long scratch (endurance running). They both are hard. They require different physique, but I also think it’s a different mental grit. I am drawn to longer events. Perhaps it’s the introspection, perhaps its something in my mind, or perhaps it’s my muscle fibres. 

Do you feel your dancing and soccer growing up may have influenced your body and mindset?

With dance, there’s such an art, a grace that’s kindled. You become acutely aware of how your body takes up space in multiple dimensions. It requires a strong core, upright posture, discipline and highly precise movements. I’ve taken my learnings from ballet, modern jazz, funk, all of it, and applied it to everyday life, to climbing, and even running. 

For soccer, I play forward. I loved chasing the ball and being the first to it. I could push the ball forward as fast as possible, aiming for the net. It felt like a game of chess. The tactics, camaraderie, agility, speed, stop and go. I thrived on the competitive nature, the teamwork and the technical skill. Hours and hours were used to perfect our ball-handling skills, where we’d often use them when we went south to play the bigger American girls. We’d feel like David versus Goliath; small town scrawny girls going to play the big city teams. Still winning, using our technique, our skills and team. 

In 2019, you won your first local trail race with no specific training. How did that moment influence your desire to make a career out of the sport?

It blew my mind. I literally thought I wouldn’t finish or would be dead last. Yet I was minutes behind two very fast men. That really sank into my bones. It opened my eyes that there might be some hidden talent if I truly trained and learned how to run. 

During the pandemic, you took on some vertical FKTs in the Canadian Rockies, sometimes doing hill repeats up steep climbs for 12 hours! How did these adventures shape your love for trail running?

I loved creating wacky adventures; challenges that would scare me. And I loved being around people who would say, “want to try this?”. I’d always say “yes, let’s do it”. The world of trail running was slowly dawning on me, that it was a place where people pit themselves against endurance in different shapes and forms. I wanted to try. 

You’ve had such an impressive trajectory in the trail running world, despite relatively limited experience, but you have expressed a desire to balance your running to avoid injury and stress, and to sustainably race into your 40s. How have you and your various mentors/coaches, who took you on after self-training, approached learning and developing your training and racing strategy?

After the first race in 2019, I began working with a coach, Dave Stevens, one of Canada’s best endurance athletes. I quickly became enamoured with the science behind it all. Being a biologist it felt natural to read scientific literature and take courses. This fast-tracked my knowledge. Every coach I’ve worked with shaped pieces and parts of my puzzle. I’m grateful for every one. 

I began coaching early on as well. First with some friends, then as a side project, and now it’s my second passion, closely after my own training. My own coaching style is different than most; it is very holistic. I believe it’s imperative to include all stressors in an athlete’s life in their training to live and be their best selves. The learning never ends.

You had forced long-term time-out, missing Western States, when you suffered with RED-S hormone imbalances that led to stress fractures, and you once soldiered on to finish a 100 mile race despite realising you were sick with covid or pneumonia. What good and bad lessons did you learn from those experiences?

There are times when it’s wise to not step on the line. I’ve definitely stepped on the line when others would not have. At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice. Sometimes lessons need to be learned. I have no regrets. 

Dave Stevens has been a key mentor. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from him?

Believe in yourself. Aim high. And have fun while doing it.  

Tell us why moving away from long training runs and incorporating shorter sessions and cross training is working for you.

It adds resilience, fun, and diversity. 

You talked about “not running away from demons but rather towards curiosity”. We love that! Can you unpack it a little further?

It’s healthier to be running towards where you want to be. Running on curiosity, play, and joy will serve anyone far longer than running on fear, anger, sadness, or insecurity. I want to see what I can accomplish. I am eager to see what’s around the corner, up the next hill, on top of the mountain. I want to be the best I can be on the day.

You’ve had some major race results. What mindset did you bring to the start line?

My first few races, I learned to lead out. Leading out is my preference still to this day. I’ve learned though that it’s not always the best way to go. At UTCT I intentionally did not lead out and it served me well. 

Looking back at your exciting debut at CCC in 2022, where you narrowly missed top 3 after alternating between 3rd and 5th… What did you learn about yourself and how you handle pressure?

It was intense. Still to this day that was the tightest race I have ever run. There was no time to lose, seconds mattered (in a 100K race!). I get hyper focused, it’s like this alternate reality of 120% focus on just keeping on pushing. It’s very hard to have a proper conversation in that state!

How does your mindset shift between racing a fast 50K and pushing through the inevitable pain and energy lows of a 100 miler?

It’s quite different. On 100 milers or even on mountainous 100Ks there can be more time to recover from mistakes (sometimes), but often many more problems are likely to arise. Either way you need to troubleshoot, but it’s a decision based on risk and reward. For instance, in a 50K, I may not switch socks if I have blisters – I’d probably just run through them to the finish.

You’ve mentioned dealing with imposter syndrome and feeling like there’s always more to learn. How do you balance self-doubt with the confidence needed to handle press, sponsors and competitors?

The training will never be what it could have been – it will never be perfect. You have to be okay with that. I face self doubt before every race now as a professional. There is pressure, mostly put on by myself. I’ve learned that sometimes it’s okay to show up feeling like an imposter, you can still go through it. Once the race actually starts, I feel right at home. I think I need to work on really focusing on trusting that I will feel like I am where I’m meant to be on the day of the race. I will be working with the Arc’teryx team’s sports psychologist soon, which I’m very excited about!

Now that you’re coaching other athletes across various sports like trail running, biking, and rock-climbing, what areas do you focus on most when guiding amateurs in their training and racing?

In my coaching I focus on values, on what brings joy to an athlete’s life. How can we find a rhythm, balance, and become better human beings in our daily life? Sometimes training is reading, cooking a special meal, sometimes it’s journalling or meditation, sometimes its tackling a challenging benchmark workout. They all matter.

You’ve said you want to bring environmentalism to the forefront of your life and your sport. Can you tell us about your role on the environmental group at the PTRA?

I’m still learning ways to bring environmentalism into my current career. It’s more challenging as it’s not directly associated. And much of trail running is actually an added footprint on the earth. At our PTRA meetings we look for ways to motivate trail running events to become more sustainable, and for trail runners to find ways to decrease their footprint. 

Your love for plants and flowers is evident in your life story. You paid your own way through university by working for the forestry department in provincial and national parks. How does this passion influence your approach to your sport, your media messaging and time spent outdoors?

There is so much beauty in nature. With plants, they have such incredible patterns; the interconnectedness is truly apparent. One of my favourite things with travel is that I can see which plants are related all around the world. Many have hitched a ride with humans, often becoming invasive, which sadly can negatively impact native species. One of the reasons trail runners have an impact on ecosystems is that we carry seeds and plant fragments to new areas around the world. 

I often use my platform on social media to bring awareness to these impacts. Additionally I work with a NPO, The Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society, in my hometown to organise an event for trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts to remove invasive plants from the most popular trail in town. 

How does your partying past inform the way you approach balance in your life and quite solitary sport?

It’s funny, because my partying days remind me of ultra running. There are many similarities between the two. You stay up late, you challenge your body and often get into mind-body experiences. You feel wrecked the next day and make a lot of bizarre memories! But these days you’ll seldom find me partying. I like to feel healthy 364 days of the year if I can. 

I mostly run solo, although I do like group running from time to time. But I really enjoy feeling connected to my mind-body without distractions. My grandma always taught me to “run with the wolves”, and that I do. 

You and your boyfriend Michelino Sunseri had fun exploring Cape Town with your local tour and trail guides/support crew Mattie Lennon and Josh Cawood. So cool that Mich raced his first 100K here! Tell us what you guys loved most?

Mattie and Josh truly gave us a legendary experience. We had days together checking out the course, they provided a lot of insight about what we might encounter, we saw the cutest African penguins and wild baboons. I may have stopped quite a few times to take photos of plants while they waited! It was many amazing days, with beaches, good food, and such gems. 

You’re currently living in a camper van on the USA west coast, moving around cool places to train, and you love to travel. Which trail running destinations can you recommend most?

Oh, that is tough. All around the world there is so much to see. Often our own backyards are super special! The Canadian Rockies have literally thousands of miles of trails to run, well over a lifetime’s worth. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with Switzerland, Italy or France when you’re in the Alps. I’d also love to run in Madeira. 

What are your main aspirations for your trail running career? You’ve said that UTMB is your ultimate goal, but a world championship title is on your radar too.

The long-term dream is to stay healthy, run consistently, and keep exploring new trails. There are so many beautiful races out there, and I can’t wait to explore more. 

How do you stay grounded and focused on your goals while also managing the pressures of being a professional athlete?

There is a lot more to being a professional athlete than just being an athlete. It’s being your own business, your own brand – it’s a lot! I work with an agent, Surveyor Sports Management, and they help me manage many of my contracts. 

What advice would you give to someone who’s looking to make the jump from recreational trail running to competitive ultra running?

Get yourself out there. Keep it fun. Believe in yourself, no matter what. Get messy, make mistakes, and keep learning.

What’s one thing very few people know about you?

I used to model when I was about 12 to 14 years old. I worked in Tokyo doing editorial and commercial photoshoots or runway. It’s come in handy as an athlete as we often have to do sponsor photoshoots! 

What’s one thing you’ve learned that you didn’t know when you started running?

A growth mindset is the key to life, relationships, being an athlete, and a better human. 

Tell us a little more about your tattoos…

I love tattoos for the art they provide. It feels like a special gift having art on your body. Recently, I got a black hellebore on my arm. Hellebores are deadly poisonous but mesmerisingly beautiful with their dark black-red petals. There’s a lot you could read into that. For now, it is art. 

When you’re not racing or training, what do you do to relax and enjoy life?

Honestly, not much. I work a bit too much. Mostly I catch up with friends over a meal, occasionally I’ll re-teach myself how to play guitar, and on the rare occasions I have an oven, I bake. I can also get a bit too competitive with Bananagrams. Everything else is movement.

(Article originally published in the Autumn 2025 edition of RUN Magazine)