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“The adventure is the goal, not the finish time.”

This week, the MidPacker Pod sits down with Rini Sugianto, an adventurer, animator, and trail runner whose journey proves that the best stories often come from the back of the pack.

Born in Lampung, Sumatra, Rini’s early loves were animation and mountains. After moving to the U.S., she swapped ice axes and heavy packs for the freedom of trail running, a shift that unlocked a whole new way to explore.

Her adventures span from Papua’s jungles to California’s peaks, including Malibu, Kilimanjaro, and Mount Whitney. Along the way, she discovered the beauty of moving simply and self-supported.

At UTMB, Rini fought through illness and a delayed start, crossing the 100-mile finish just 30 minutes before cutoff. Then, in 2025, she made history as the first Indonesian woman to finish the Western States Endurance Run, clocking 29:29:03 and earning every second of that buckle.

For Rini, it has never been about speed. It is about staying power, chasing big dreams, and finding joy in the adventure, whether that is racing qualifiers or fast-packing the Sierra and Tahoe trails.

Motivational Takeaways

• Perseverance > pace.

• Curiosity can change your life.

• The back of the pack has the best stories.

Relevant Links

• IG: @rinisugianto

• Rini Sugianto Western States Finish on Instagram

• Rini Sugianto write up on Freetrail

• Western States 100 official site

• UTMB World – Rini’s race results

• Aid Station Fireball Western States stats⁠

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Janji - Janji.com

A big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust.

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Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.com

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“The Kid” Hans Troyer Documentary

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Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.

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Rini Sugianto, Lampung, trail running, mountaineering, UTMB, Western States 100, back-of-the-pack, endurance, fastpacking, perseverance, ultrarunning