Courtney Dauwalter Turns 40, Celebrates With Limited-Edition ‘Birthday Cake’ Recovery Mix

Courtney Dauwalter has a lot to celebrate. Not just because she’s smashing ultra race records and scoring win after win in races like the Western States 100, Hardrock 100, Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, MTUB, and many others, but because today, Feb. 13, 2025, is her 40th birthday.

And to help her celebrate, Tailwind Nutrition, one of Dauwalter’s sponsors, releases a limited-edition birthday cake-flavored recovery mix.

“It was an absolute blast coming up with this flavor with Tailwind,” Courtney Dauwalter said in a press release. “I love celebrating life, and this is the perfect flavor for doing it!”

Dauwalter is somewhat renowned for her unique approach to nutrition. She eats pretty much whatever she wants and has an admitted affinity for candies and pastries. So the Courtney Dauwalter Birthday Cake Limited Edition recovery mix really does encapsulate the athlete’s spirit: a unique blend of complete protein, electrolytes, and carbs … flavored like cake.

The Tailwind Birthday Cake mix is available in packs of four ($12) on Tailwind’s website. According to the brand, it contains 20g of protein per serving. It also provides you with all nine essential amino acids and BCAAs to boost recovery. 

“Celebrating all the victories and efforts, big and small, is what has gotten Tailwind where it is today,” Maggie Guterl, athlete manager of Tailwind Nutrition, said in the press release. “The new Birthday Cake Recovery Mix flavor is a perfect reflection of Courtney’s positive and encouraging attitude and commemorates her birthday at the same time. Happy Birthday, Courtney!”

Celebrating Dauwalter’s 40th & Too Many Wins to Count

In 2024 alone, Dauwalter won the Hardrock 100 (which she previously won in 2022), the UTMB (which she also won in 2023), the Transgrancanaria (which she won in 2023), the Nice Côte d’Azur, Mt Fuji 100, and SwissPeaks Trail 70.

In two of those races — the Hardrock 100 and Mt Fuji 100 — she set new records for the women’s courses.

The year before, in 2023, she became the first person ever (man or woman) to win the Western States, Hardrock, and UTMB in the same year.

To say she’s a beast is an understatement. Headlines like “Dauwalter Wins AGAIN!” and “Dauwalter Makes History” follow her around.

But despite her ferocity and intensity on the ultra-race trail, the Hopkins, Minn., native is known for having an unstampable positive attitude and light-hearted outlook on life. She’s become one of the most inspirational figures in ultra running today.

As a result, she’s a hot commodity for brands in the ultra space. Last year, Tailwind released a “Dauwaltermelon with Lime” as a limited-edition flavor, which then became a year-round staple. This birthday Cake recovery mix is Dauwalter’s second personalized flavor with the brand. Time will tell if it becomes another staple — and another feather in Dauwalter’s cap.