Tag: From the Editor

Big races coincided early in the season this year, as Black Canyon Ultras lined up runners in Arizona for the 100k Golden Ticket race just as the Barkley Marathons sent runners on loop one a few hours before in Tennessee...

Entering a new year and a new racing season feels like a fresh start, especially if you’re entering a new age group. The milestone can signify a potential for faster competition or an opportunity to see what you’re still...

Hiking into Oregon’s Mt. Jefferson Wilderness with a pack and a 6-foot crosscut saw balanced over one shoulder, I felt a desire for true adventure for the first time as a young college student. Clearing trails for the US...

What struck me the most at this year’s Western States was the work of the incredible number of volunteers. They were managing aid stations like well-oiled machines, all while having some fun during the long, hot hours on...

The solitude of the trails is the perfect environment for deep discussions. Without the distraction of screens, work deadlines or house chores, there’s an opportunity for long, intense conversations when you’ve got a fri...

As we inch forward to race season, most of us are putting in the miles as we continue to progress toward our goal of finishing an ultramarathon this year. By keeping our focus on a training plan, nutrition, recovery and...

At the end of the year, someone asked about my thoughts on the future of the sport. I could not offer an answer because, for once, I’m not sure what 2025 holds for ultrarunning. However, as editor in chief of UltraRunnin...

As ultrarunners, we are used to planning months in advance. Training, travel and scheduling means penciling in blank spots on the calendar. It’s a process that builds strength, endurance and confidence – all of which are...

Every year, we ask our subscribers what we can do to improve their experience with UltraRunning. A reader survey gives us a quick snapshot of who our readers are, and what they want to see more of in each issue. In 2023,...

Remember where you came from, but don’t forget where you’re going. It’s a lesson many of us learn when running long distances—we’re different after each race finish but we must toe the start line to get there. The same c...

Transitioning from road running to trail running can be difficult. Changes beyond just the hard surface underfoot turn into obstacles like hopping over rocks and roots, along with keeping track of your location and makin...

The recent historic achievements by Jasmin Paris at the Barkley Marathons and the epic NCAA women’s championship basketball game between South Carolina and Iowa have inspired me—both as a woman and as a runner. We’re see...

Inspiration must come from the heart. Watching an athlete’s emotional struggle as well as understanding their physical hardship is what connects us as humans. We need to feel it. While the sport of ultrarunning is full o...

Early spring training feels a bit like waking up from a long nap. We’re focused on getting in the miles and workouts each week, but our goal race still seems so far away. The monotony of long miles and training week aft...

In 2023, the sport of ultrarunning saw historic records fall and limits that were pushed incredibly far–further than we‘ve likely ever witnessed before. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention all of the amazing achievem...

My daughter is an avid fan of the mega pop star Taylor Swift. Her most devoted fans are more commonly defined as “Swifties” and continue to support her sold-out shows around the globe. I’ve enjoyed watching her dive into...

“This is the best community in the world.” These were the words of John Trent right before the start of the Western States Endurance Run in 2019. The ultrarunning community has often been the subject of this column over...

In 2020, when we experienced a pandemic that kept us distanced from other people—loved ones and strangers alike—we made do with video technology apps like FaceTime and Zoom. However, as restrictions were lifted, it be...

My running partner and I have been using the trails as a way to connect for nearly a decade. We’ve bonded over dirt, week after week, pounding out miles while discussing the complexities of human nature, supporting on...