British ultra-marathoner credits CurraNZ for huge PBs as she takes her career to a new level

Laura Watts (below and above right) is the only British ultra-marathoner to have finished the legendary Badwater135 – a 135-mile race across California’s Death Valley, the hottest place on earth - four times. Widely recognized as one of the toughest footraces on the planet, with punishing terrain and brutal desert heat, Laura posted a best-ever performance last month, with a three-hour course PB.

Here, she openly credits CurraNZ for the performance increases that have led to dramatic PBs at Badwater 135, and also her lead-up race, the Keys 100.

Laura writes: "I met Fleur Cushman, Founder of CurraNZ, when doing my heat acclimation training at the University of Chichester in May 2025 and began to learn about the benefits that blackcurrants offer elite and recreational athletes. 

“I went on to trial the product - CurraNZ is the most researched blackcurrant supplement by universities worldwide, which made it even more credible for me. Since blackcurrants are a natural food source, I had no hesitation about adding CurraNZ to my running strategy. I was excited to test them out for both the Keys 100 and, just eight weeks later, the Badwater 135.

Keys 100: A Personal Best

Before the Keys 100, I started taking two CurraNZ capsules a day. On race day, I took four capsules just before the start, then re-dosed every five hours. The Keys 100, an ultra marathon from Key Largo to Key West, is as beautiful as it is brutal, with 100 miles of tarmac, scorching heat, and high humidity.

It was my third time running this race, with previous finish times of 29:38:18 (2022) and 29:54:44 (2024). This time, I felt great for 85 miles. Even after some nausea late in the race, I finished in 20:54:14 - a new course PB by nine hours and my best-ever 100-mile time!

Despite having completed 18 races over 100 miles, the Keys 100 stands out as one of the toughest. Getting a personal best there was a dream come true. Even more remarkable, I wasn’t stiff the next day - I could walk normally. The quality of my recovery was unlike anything I had experienced. I was hooked on the purple power of CurraNZ.

Delivering the goods at Badwater135

Soon, I was in California preparing for the infamous Badwater 135 - 135 miles through Death Valley, the hottest place on earth. In the week before the race, I increased my daily dose to four capsules, then took four capsules before the race started. Following Fleur’s suggestion, I re-dosed with two capsules every four hours during the race.

I ran brilliantly until around mile 85. Compared to 2024 (when I was sick 30 times), I only experienced nausea twice - a huge improvement. 

In ultra-hot conditions, GI issues are common, and 75% of ultra-runners suffer from these problems under ‘normal’ conditions – and Badwater is nothing but extreme. However, I continued with the CurraNZ, the nausea subsided, and I finished strongly over the final 13 miles. With an average elevation of 8% and 5,000ft uphill to Mount Whitney Portal, this is known as ‘the world’s toughest half marathon’ - after 122 miles on your legs.

I finished my fourth Badwater 135 in 33:49:45, three hours faster than my previous best, becoming the only British woman to finish this race four times.

Beyond Race Day: Remarkable Recovery

A number of elite runners have asked about my performance boost and at least six have begun their own journeys with CurraNZ. Post-race, I continued taking three CurraNZ capsules daily for a week. Once again, I wasn’t stiff the next day - the recovery benefits are truly outstanding.

Looking Ahead

Next up is the North Downs Way 100, a super hilly and challenging British ultra marathon, followed by the Daytona 100 in Florida this December.

Thank you, CurraNZ, for these incredible supplements. I almost want to keep them a secret, but the results truly speak for themselves. This is the only supplement I use - and I couldn’t imagine racing without it now.