In this deeply heartfelt and eye-opening episode of HappyCast, hosts Stephanie, Dylan and Andrew are joined by trail race director and community powerhouse Libby Jones, the force behind The Active Joe and the beloved Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run. From her accidental start in race directing to founding one of North Texas’s most inclusive and community-focused race organizations, Libby shares how a love for running, a knack for logistics, and a fierce sense of purpose shaped her journey. She recounts the wild origin story of Dino Valley (spoiler: snakes, floods, and disputed land all make appearances), and reflects on how much heart and hustle it takes to bring a race to life.

Libby dives into the values that guide her work—radical inclusion, adaptive support, and putting community over profit. From Spanish-language runner manuals and pacer support for older athletes to creating safe spaces for LGBTQ and nonbinary runners, her approach is as intentional as it is inspiring. The episode doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff either: the group discusses uncomfortable truths about safety in the trail running world, the importance of speaking up, and how gossiping, in the right context, can indeed save lives.

Whether you’re here for the behind-the-scenes race director stories, the raw talk on aging, equity, and community in trail running, or just want to hear about bacon-wrapped Oreos at aid stations, this one is packed with laughs, lessons, and heart. From Western States to bean salsa to “gossip with purpose,” this episode is a love letter to the dirt, the runners, and the volunteers who make it all happen.

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