The 2025 Western States delivered drama from the start, with an unprecedented dozen elite men charging out 13 minutes ahead of course record pace just 10 miles in. Our panel examines how the race has fundamentally changed—from NASCAR-style aid station pit stops (now averaging under 30 seconds versus 3 minutes in 2019) to the complex cooling strategies employed in the notorious canyons.

We celebrate Abby Hall's remarkable comeback victory after a devastating injury, running virtually solo from start to finish against seasoned competitors. Meanwhile, Caleb Olson's distinctive "fishnet" cooling garment became the talk of ultrarunning social media while powering him to a dominant win. Chris Myers delivered the third-fastest time in race history, while Killian Jornet returned after 14 years to secure third place.

The conversation turns provocative as we debate whether Western States has been "solved" through nutrition, cooling techniques, and gear innovations. Should pacers be banned for elite competitors to preserve the mano-a-mano nature of competition? Should crew sizes be limited to level the playing field between locals and international competitors?

Whether you're training for your first ultra or simply fascinated by what drives humans to run 100 miles through punishing terrain, this episode offers rare insights into the sport's evolution and the extraordinary athletes pushing its boundaries. As we conclude—the mythical 14-hour barrier looks increasingly breakable, showing just how far ultrarunning has come.

Join us for more ultrarunning analysis, race previews, and training discussions on future episodes of the Hobby Jogger podcast!