Відео

I think one angle folks are missing-it is very difficult to get a race on board as a world champs qualifier. And I mean all the little boxes that have to be checked on the USATF requirements and World requirements, etc. Having seen the efforts state USATF organizations have had trying to even find a place willing and able to host a national qualifier meet, and knowing the issues for example the US Olympic Marathon Trials has had . . . I think folks can always talk about the ideal races, but there is "ideal" and "okay, done." And, sometimes, you just have to get a "done" mark in the box, not a perfect one.

seeing Jornet, Walmsley and Roche battle would be incredible

Thanks for the podcast; help keep trail running fr$$!

Wow🎉Can’t wait to watch this race!!!🎉 Had no idea Courtney entered! Such an exciting field!!!

Canfranc is located in the Spanish Pyrenees, specifically in a province called Huesca 😅😊

A bit of 'who cares' really, but you can still view the UTMB streams. They're under the Live section on the channel.

Go for it

forget WSER, how about how stacked Cocodona is? Courtney, Leah, Versteig, and last year's returning non-pro champ Finn Melanson.

Just need Zach Millar to get a ticket.

If Kilian shows up it’s hard to pick against him but this is a much flatter course than what he excels at so it’ll be interesting. It’s hard to imagine Kilian beating jim at western states if they both have a good race. Thoughts?

Unfortunately I don't see myself caring any more about UTMB in 2025 than I did in '24, and honestly, that is: not very much. It really has lost its appeal to me. I would still love to visit and experience the area, I understand those are truly awesome and special trails and an amazing town, but the UTMB series and all of the affiliations etc have really, truly lost their appeal and I just can't see it like I did ten years ago. I know some will disagree and I have probably heard and understood their points on the matter before, but the current affiliation between WS and UTMB is only going to tarnish WS in the near future, and that will take a little knock on my enthusiasm for the race next year. However, it's a slight tarnish, a small knock on WS themselves, and I'm expecting an extremely exciting and competitive race next year. Can't wait to tune in.

I'll be curious to see how both the women's and men's fields evolve (and devolve) over the next 7-8 months. Obviously, half the battle is getting into the race and showing up healthy. What do y'all think? Will the 2025 edition live up to the current hype?

Everyone should race their way in (on a proper course) the year before. Cut out the politics.

Rascal, Tara is not the only person who learned a lot of lessons, AND not the only person who accomplished great things. I expect to see you in high demand based on your huge success in this endeavor. You also point to others who were absolutely indispensable in the project. You are a great lady!

I think Courtney has finished the Tahoe 200 in 2018. Women's Course Record.

Make Zane Grey a qualifier

You said Courtney has only done one 200 miler. She also did the Tahoe 200, where she won that race and came in 2nd overall.

I can't believe people are even complaining about this. There are no options that fit the time window and are comparable to the Worlds course. The biggest factor is simply this, race directors have to first submit to be considered, and very few of them do so. The people complaining should go get their favorite races to actually start asking to host championships/qualifiers.

That is kind of a USA thing. Making a non specific race as a qualifier for a brutal mountain race. In France, Switzerland or Italy those who will participate will have to show their mountain skills period. If I remembered well the ultra event in the SPANISH PYRÉNÉES will have 83km distance with D+5000m of elevation gain on a high mixture of runnable and sky run style technical terrain. What you would need as a qualifier is like the speedgoat 50km or a hard rock 50 or there is that 50k event of MikeFoote what was on the sky circuit. So first of all it should be an under distance race as recovery for some athletes after a 100k might compromise the entire season. Leaving their WC effort out on the qualifier. A 50km mountain event with 3500m of gain would be better.

Great chat. I agree with Bret, who are choosing the team members? Is it public knowledge? Finn, what race are you directing?

What’s an offseason? 😊

Another great shorter pod covering an interesting topic. I do think as much as runners need to be trained specifically for certain races like States in order to podium,we clearly have several top men and women who have proven within a calendar year or body of work, they are capable of fast performances over a variety of terrain/elevation and weather. So, I don’t think it necessarily matters what the qualifier is.

Gorge Waterfalls 100K has produced winners. Look at the all time list (1. Jim Walmsley, 2. Vincent Bouillard, 3. David Laney). What have these guys done in mountain races?

lol, "weird rule" about sending only amateurs, that was the rule for everyone. The USA wasn't allowed to send the pros prior to 1992. The USSR also didn't send "pros" but worked around it by sending a team who's official job was military. They didn't get paid to play a sport- they got paid to serve in the military. But all they did in the military was train for their sport. That's why the "Miracle on ice" was such a big deal. The US team was a bunch of college amateurs, vs a Soviet team that had full national support to do nothing but play hockey.

Qualifying for worlds will require steely toughness.

interested to see more about fueling / nutrition!

What about a primarily race qualification but one slot set aside for "application/invite" to cover extenuating circumstances.

0:23 Sad Aragón noises

⚔Gorge Defender ⚔

I would love to see Courtney go for the CT again after this! I agree with your under 60hrs for both the men & women... actually hoping for multiple women under 60hrs. That would be SICK. SPRINT FINISH!

Dan Green!!!

So stoked for this. Legend teased it a few weeks ago and sure enough, she was there on Ultrasignup that night. It's going to be an awesome year in the chat.

Courtney also paced Maggie Guteril at Cocodona

Cocodona 250 was the first race I ever watched (in 2024) and I've been hooked ever since. Watched most of the big ones (Western States, Hard Rock, UTMB etc) this year. I've never followed any other sport live or on TV before but there is something addictive about watching these races live (while you're supposed to be working!) and it just keeps getting better and better as I find my favorites to follow.

Just signed up for the Twisted Fork Race.

Would love to see her at TOR

Courtney also ran it back at Tahoe 200 in 2018, raced to 2nd overall leading until the last 20miles(?) or so. Plus attempting the Colorado trail. Love her still going at the longer stuff and excited for Cocodona. Doubling back at Tor would be wild to see.

I think Courtney has done the Tahoe 200 as well? So completing the set. I get it, she's done everything at 100 miles, but in terms of a competition, now that Katie has got to her level and is doing incredible things...they have to race next year, whilst still at their peaks.

Courtney did (and almost won the scratch) Nice by UTMB, so I think she will be back at UTMb later in the season. She seems to do UTMB every other year since she started to go there. 19-21-23-25?

In ten years cocodona could be on ESPN 8!heck ya you guys will be the shoe in commentators

Why does Cocodona always seem so tempting to go for, even for a beginner? It's so counter intuitive, it's 250 miles with a ton of vert and weather and who known what, yet here I am, a beginning ultra runner, following all the media and people like Callie Vinson who make it seem attainable despite the challenge. Is it because they have such a great media presence? Because of the race organization? I don't know, but currently saving up to go for it one day 👀 give me all the cococontent!

very much admire and appreciate David wanting everyone to be at their best in the spirit of true competition. that is what will progress the sport ultimately.

It's the Bucking Fucket Hat Era. Go David.

Finn camping on that inside rail the whole time!?

I teared up when Rascal said, "Because I've asked her to do things that are impossible, and she still somehow does it. She whines and complains about it, but she still somehow does it." The idea of someone at Tara's level whining and complaining really humanizes this incredible feat, and somehow makes it seem even more impressive and beautiful to me. <3

Tara's FKT is totally believable, because she had a crew that was completely sincere and supportive of her. Roughly comparable was Grandma Gatewood, who did it on her honor, with the good will of some of the local folk, plus a few reporters. Sadly, the sanctity of FKTs will probably decrease. Tara's effort will stand--maybe not forever in numbers, but in spirit, because of the purity of her drive and the dedication of ChumpChange and Rascal, Mom, and the others. This effort of the whole will not be duplicated. That's my prediction.

Des and Kara are interesting when they are talking about the athletes as they did in Peris . . . more-so than they do on some of their other podcasts. Good commentary will draw more interest and more money from advertisers. Put them out front to do more color commentary.

You have a cat! That's awesome. Thank you for sharing your race goal with us. Looking forward to following along on your journey.

A real Muscle mommy. 💪🏼

This was great! Thanks to both of you!