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The 2024 Golden Trail Series kicks off in Japan with the technically challenging Kobe Trail race, and we've got the complete preview to get you ready for all the action. This 21K mountain course packs a serious punch with nearly 7,000 feet of climbing across four increasingly difficult loops, culminating in a brutal final climb that will separate the contenders from the pretenders.

What makes this race particularly fascinating is the unique intersection of skills required – pure climbing strength versus technical descending prowess. The Japanese terrain features slick roots, rocks, and challenging singletrack that caused several DNFs last year when Philemon Kiriago twisted his ankle while running in the lead pack. This technical challenge especially favors athletes with orienteering backgrounds, potentially giving an edge to competitors like Switzerland's Joey Hadron.

We break down the surprisingly thin elite field (compared to typical Golden Trail events), analyzing why many top athletes chose to skip this opener and how that creates a strategic advantage for those who made the journey to Japan. On the men's side, defending champion Patrick Kipngeno returns as the clear favorite, coming off remarkable training blocks in Kenya with 120+ mile weeks. For the women, newly-signed Norda athlete Joyce Njeru faces strong challenges from technical specialists Sarah Alonso and Malin Osa in what promises to be a fascinating tactical battle.

Whether you're following the Golden Trail Series all season or just love expert race breakdowns, this episode delivers insider knowledge on course specifics, athlete preparation, and bold predictions for who might take home the win. The conversation also explores broader themes in the sport including sponsor dynamics, athlete development, and the strategic importance of early-season race selection in a championship year.

This episode was brought to you by Ultimate Direction, use code steepstuffpod for 25% off your next purchase on ultimatedirection.com

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