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Western States gets the attention, the massive lottery numbers, the elite fields, and the biggest spotlight in ultrarunning. But does that actually make it the greatest 100-mile race—or is Hardrock the more demanding, more exclusive, and more unforgettable challenge?

In this episode, we compare two of the most iconic races in the sport. We break down the entry process, lottery demand, field sizes, altitude, elevation gain, course records, and the completely different experiences each race creates.

We also dive into this year’s Hardrock 100, including Ludovic Pommeret’s age-defying performance, Courtney Dauwalter’s painful march to another victory, Tara Dower’s incredible Western States–Hardrock double, and the dramatic final finisher who kissed the rock with less than six minutes remaining.

Western States may be the Super Bowl of ultrarunning—but is Hardrock its Everest?

Let us know: If you could only run one, which would you choose?


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Marathon #180 is complete... and somehow it turned into one of the most memorable races yet.

After months of medical setbacks, almost no training, and serious doubts heading into Alaska, I was convinced this was going to be another difficult marathon. Instead, the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage became a reminder that running isn't always about fitness or finishing times.

Sometimes it's about adapting.
Sometimes it's about the people you meet.
And sometimes it's about simply proving to yourself that you can still keep moving forward.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why Alaska almost didn't happen
The medical issues leading into race day
The strategy that unexpectedly worked
The fellow 50 Stater who helped make the final miles disappear
Why the Mayor's Marathon is one of the most underrated races in the country
Marathon #180 and the countdown to completing all 50 states

With only South Dakota, Georgia, and Hawaii remaining, the finish line of this journey is finally coming into view.

If you've ever stood on a starting line wondering whether you belonged there, this episode is for you.

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The 2026 Western States 100 wasn't just another edition of America's most iconic ultramarathon—it completely rewrote the history books.

Jim Walmsley's legendary course record that many thought might stand for years? Gone.

Courtney Dauwalter's iconic women's record? Gone too.

Four men ran faster than the previous course record. Jennifer Lichter became the fastest woman in Western States history in her very first 100-mile race. Meanwhile, trail-running legends Jim Walmsley and Kilian Jornet never even reached the finish line.

In this episode of the *I Don't Know Running Podcast*, we're breaking down one of the most astonishing days ultrarunning has ever seen.

We'll discuss:
• How Vincent Bouillard became the first runner ever under 14 hours.
• Jennifer Lichter's record-breaking debut and what it means for women's ultrarunning.
• Hans Troyer's fearless early attack that changed the entire race.
• Why so many favorites—including Walmsley and Jornet—ended with DNFs.
• The incredible depth of both the men's and women's fields.
• And the question everyone is already asking...

Will Courtney Dauwalter come back to reclaim her Western States crown?

If you love trail running, ultramarathons, or simply witnessing history in our sport, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎧 New episodes every week from the *I Don't Know Running Podcast*.

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A hot race forecast sends a lot of runners into panic mode.

Suddenly they're running in sweatshirts, avoiding air conditioning, cutting back on water, and trying to cram heat training into the final two weeks before race day.

But does it actually work?

In this episode of the I Don't Know Running Podcast, we dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in endurance sports: heat training.

We discuss:
🏃 Why last-minute heat training usually backfires
💧 The difference between heat adaptation and dehydration
🔥 When heat acclimation actually works
⚠️ The real risks of severe dehydration and heat illness
📉 Why most runners would benefit more from better sleep, hydration, and consistent mileage
🎯 Practical strategies for handling hot race conditions safely

Most importantly, we introduce a simple rule:

If you don't know what you're doing... just don't.

Sometimes the smartest race strategy isn't finding a miracle solution—it's slowing down, adjusting expectations, and respecting the conditions.

What about you? Have you ever changed your race plan because of a hot forecast? Have you had a race fall apart because of the heat?

Let us know in the comments.

#Running #MarathonTraining #HeatTraining #RunningPodcast #Marathon #Ultrarunning #EnduranceSports #RunningTips

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A high school relay team wins the state championship... or so everyone thought.

At the North Carolina High School State Championships, Mallard Creek's anchor runner crossed the finish line with a comfortable lead and raised his hand in celebration. Moments later, officials disqualified the team.

Not for a false start.
Not for an illegal handoff.
Not for leaving his lane.

For raising his hand before the finish line.

The decision erased the relay victory and changed the outcome of the entire state championship meet, sparking a nationwide debate about sportsmanship, celebration, and whether officials got this one right.

In this episode, Lewis and Mitch break down the video, the rule, the reasoning behind the disqualification, and the bigger question:

Where is the line between celebrating and taunting?

🎙️ The I Don't Know Running Podcast

#Running #TrackAndField #HighSchoolTrack #RelayRace #RunningPodcast #Sportsmanship #TrackNation #CrossCountry #DistanceRunning #IDKR

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When you sign up for a race, you expect a measured course, water stations, timing chips, and a finish line waiting for you.

But that's not always what happens.

In this episode of the I Don't Know Running Podcast, we dive into some of the biggest race disasters in running history—from marathons that were too short to count as Boston Qualifiers, to races that disappeared entirely after collecting entry fees.

We also discuss empty water stations, open-course nightmares, ghost races, virtual race pivots, and how runners can spot potential red flags before signing up.

Some race stories are inspiring.

These are not those stories.

🎙️ Topics include:

Short-course marathon scandals
Lost Boston Qualifiers
Ghost races and canceled events
Empty aid stations
Open-course racing risks
Back-of-the-pack horror stories
How to spot a shady race before race day

Have you ever had a race go completely wrong?

Let us know in the comments.

#IDontKnowRunning #RunningPodcast #Marathon #BostonQualifier #RaceDay

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This week on the I Don't Know Running Podcast, we dive into the emotional roller coaster of the Bayshore Marathon through the stories of four very different runners.

One ran purely for fun.

One fought to keep a Boston Marathon qualifying streak alive.

One accidentally qualified thanks to an upcoming age-group change.

And one runner achieved what many marathoners spend years chasing: a sub-3-hour marathon.

The catch?

A 2:59 marathon may still not be enough to get into Boston.

We break down the reality of modern Boston Marathon qualifying, the brutal cutoff times, why the 18–34 age group faces unique challenges, and the new rules aimed at downhill "BQ hunting" races.

Most importantly, we ask a bigger question:

Has the pursuit of Boston become a numbers game, or is the exclusivity exactly what makes it special?

Let us know what you think:
Is Boston's gatekeeping good for the sport, or has the qualifying process gone too far?

#Running #Marathon #BostonMarathon #BQ #BayshoreMarathon #Sub3 #MarathonTraining #RunningPodcast

🎙️ IDK Running Podcast

#running #marathon #londonmarathon #guinnessworldrecords #ultrarunning #podcast
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Sometimes marathon running stops being about speed…

…and starts becoming something completely different.

Because somehow, over a MILLION people apply to run the London Marathon…

and some of the people who get in decide to run it:

in jeans
in full business suits
in wooden clogs
in four-inch heels
or dressed as Thomas the Tank Engine.

In this episode, we dive into some of the strangest — and strangely impressive — marathon world records ever set.

From sub-2:40 marathons in dress shoes…
to zombie world records…
to groups of runners literally tethered together for 26.2 miles…

these stories somehow get more absurd the deeper you go.

And the craziest part?

A lot of these runners are still faster than most marathoners in normal gear.

—

Topics include:

London Marathon Guinness World Records
Marathon costume world records
Fastest marathon in jeans
Fastest marathon in a suit
Thomas the Tank Engine marathon runner
Weird endurance sports records
Guinness World Records running
Extreme marathon stories

—

🎙️ IDK Running Podcast

#running #marathon #londonmarathon #guinnessworldrecords #ultrarunning #podcast
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The Cocodona 250 might be the most insane ultramarathon in America.

250 miles across Arizona.
Nearly 39,000 feet of climbing.
Multiple days with almost no sleep.
Hallucinations.
Desert heat.
Mountain cold.
And runners pushing themselves far beyond what most people think is possible.

In this episode, we break down:

the rise of Cocodona 250
Rachel Entrekin making history by winning the entire race outright
the brutal physical reality of ultra running
Andy Glaze and the “Smile or You’re Doing It Wrong” mentality
the emotional Golden Hour finishers
and the deeper question behind all of it…

Why do people willingly do something this hard?

—

If you enjoy running conversations that go beyond splits and race times, subscribe and join us for more episodes every week.

—

#running #ultrarunning #cocodona250 #trailrunning #ultramarathon #runningpodcast
🎧 I Don’t Know Running Podcast
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For decades, the sub-2-hour marathon felt impossible.

At the 2026 London Marathon, that changed forever.

Sabastian Sawe became the first man to officially break two hours with a 1:59:30 world record… but somehow that wasn’t even the whole story. Yomif Kejelcha also went under two hours in the same race, while Jacob Kiplimo still ran faster than the previous world record and only finished third.

Then, while the world focused on London, something unbelievable happened in Toledo, Ohio.

A self-coached runner with no shoe deal, no major sponsor, and no marathon experience showed up at Glass City Marathon and ran 2:05:54 in his debut marathon — becoming the 4th-fastest American marathoner ever.

In this episode, we break down:

The first official sub-2 marathon
How London 2026 shattered expectations
The role of super shoes, fueling, and pacing
Why this may be the biggest leap forward in running history
Vinny Mauri’s shocking American marathon debut
And the growing debate around technology and fairness in the sport

This wasn’t just a fast race.

It felt like a turning point.

#running #marathon #londonmarathon #sub2 #eliudkipchoge #trackandfield #distanceRunning
—

🎧 I Don’t Know Running Podcast
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