Toni McCann

Toni McCann (born 25 February 1994) is a professional trail and ultra-running athlete from Durban, South Africa. McCann has made a name for herself through her performances in several high-profile trail running events, culminating in her recent victory at the CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix) event, part of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) World Series Final in August 2024.
==Early Life==
McCann grew up in Durban, South Africa, where she attended Thomas More College for her primary school years and later St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls for high school. In high school, she played field hockey, representing Kwa-Zulu Natal at the provincial level and later being selected for the National Team in 2012. In 2013, she moved to Cape Town to attend the University of Cape Town (UCT), where she studied for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Human Physiology and Biochemistry. After graduation, she continued her studies at UCT with a BSc Medical Honours in Nutrition and Dietetics. McCann continued to play field hockey until 2014, after which she decided to focus on her studies. 
After graduating with her honours degree, McCann took a gap year, during which she worked as a junior project manager for an events company in Cape Town and later in a specialist running store, RUN. 
==Professional Life==
During her final university years, McCann started running and began participating in local trail running events around Cape Town. In 2018, McCann had her first major performance at the Otter African Trail Run, which was host to the Golden Trail Series Finale, in which the top 10 male and female athletes from around the world were invited to compete. McCann secured her first major podium, coming in 3rd behind Holly Page and Ruth Croft. 
McCann joined the adidas TERREX team in 2022, with whom she still partners. She also receives support from Maurten and Suunto. After a steady rise in the sport from 2019, McCann had her breakout year in 2023, winning the OCC at UTMB in a time of 5:18:21, plutting herself alongside the global elite. Her 2023 season saw her nominated for the Trail Runner of the Year (TROY), finally coming in at 4th. 
McCann is coached by Tom Evans, an accomplished ultra-trail athlete himself. 
==Achievements==
===2024 Results===
* CCC at UTMB, 101km: 1st
* La Thuile Trail Marathon, 42km: 1st (CR)
* Broken Arrow Skyrace, 46km: 1st (CR)
===2023 Results===
* OCC by UTMB, 56km: 1st (CR)
* PT55 at UTCT: 1st (3rd overall, CR)
* Davos X-Trails, 43km: 1stt (CR)
* Transvulcania by UTMB, 46km: 1st (CR)
* Trail du Gresivaudan, 30km: 1st (CR) 
===2022 Results===
* OCC at UTMB, 56km: 5th
* Otter African Trail Run, 42km: 1st, (4th overall, CR)
* Transgrancanaria, Spartan Trail, 42km: 2nd
* Zugspitz Ultra Trail Run, 50km: 1st
* Livigno Skymarathon, 35km: 4th
* 2VK Courmayeur, double vertical kilometre, 11km: 4th
* Greenweez Maxi Race, Annecy, 39km: 4th
===2021 Results===
* Cape Town Trail Marathon, 48km: 1st
* Gruyere Trail Charmey, 25km: 1st
* George MUT 25km: 1st
* Gorbeia Suzien, Skyrunning World Series: 8th
* OCC at UTMB, 56km: 14th
* Sierre Zinal, Golden Trail World Series: 21st
 
===2020 Results===
* Otter African Trial Run, 42km: 1st 
==Personal Life==
McCann moved to France in 2023 where she currently lives and trains. She has been coaching trail and road running athletes since 2021 with the Flat Rock Endurance coaching group, and is in the process of learning French. 
Category:1994 births
Category:Thomas More University alumni
Category:Ultrarunning
Category:People from Durban
Category:South African people