This week, the guys recap UTMB, debate just how much UTMB coverage is too much, and ask the question everyone apparently has an opinion on: who is actually the best female trail runner in the world? Rachel’s monster season gets put up against some serious competition.

They also discuss the surprising cancellation of the Revel Mount Charleston Marathon—with the race called off seven months out and organizers reportedly keeping registration fees—and dig into what that says about the business of putting on races.

Plus: more UTMB talk, race predictions, and the usual collection of questionable opinions.

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🎙️ Hosted by Jake Kilgore & Mick Garrison

#TrailRunning #ultrarunning 

Music License: COVFFU5C7U01A7NC

UTMB week is here, and we’re breaking down one of the biggest stretches of trail running all year.

This week, we dive into the stacked fields at OCC, CCC, UTMB, and the races surrounding trail running’s biggest week, make our Fantasy Free Trail picks, and debate some of the toughest matchups on the board.

We also get into Claire Rhodes’ terrifying brown bear attack in Alaska, our upcoming HYROX race, what happens when your pacer leaves you behind at the Bear 100, and the possibility of showing up to a 100-miler with no crew, no pacer, and nothing but a few drop bags.

Plus, we pitch a new series: Next Aid Station Cribs, where we tour the glamorous lives, closets, Subarus, and questionable living situations of trail runners.

Join us for race predictions, trail running news, questionable analysis, and everything else happening at the Next Aid Station.

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🎙️ Hosted by Jake Kilgore & Mick Garrison

#TrailRunning #ultrarunning 

Music License: COVFFU5C7U01A7NC

This week, Jake and Mick sit down with Aaron Kubala, who's in the middle of an incredible run at the Triple Crown of 200s—and chasing a record that could put his name alongside one of the biggest names in ultrarunning.

But before he can get to Moab, Aaron had to survive Bigfoot 200, where a bizarre situation with his pacer resulted in a three-hour penalty. Aaron walks the guys through exactly what happened, how he handled losing three hours deep into a 200-mile race, and why he still believes the Triple Crown record is within reach.

The guys also discuss the growing debate around Hardrock's transgender and non-binary participation policy, what the policy actually says, and some of the questions it raises for ultrarunning as the sport continues to evolve.

Plus, plenty of discussion about the Triple Crown, 200-mile racing, and what it takes to chase records at the absolute limits of the sport.

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🎙️ Hosted by Jake Kilgore & Mick Garrison

#TrailRunning #ultrarunning 

Music License: COVFFU5C7U01A7NC

This week, Jake and Mick dive into another round of trail running conversations, from the future of the sport to some of the stranger things happening outside of it.

They talk about the growing popularity of trail running, whether the sport is becoming too serious and too snobby, and the surprising arrival of Wiz Khalifa as the newest member of the running community. They also discuss Wyoming Range, the challenges of 100-mile races, the future of human longevity, and where trail running might be headed as the sport continues to grow.

Plus, plenty of opinions, tangents, and questionable ideas along the way.

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🎙️ Hosted by Jake Kilgore & Mick Garrison

#TrailRunning #ultrarunning 

Music License: COVFFU5C7U01A7NC

Badwater, bib transfers, race rules, live tracking, and the questionable state of trail running media—this week, Jake and Mick have plenty to argue about.

They break down Badwater 135 and debate whether some of the sport's biggest races are getting too complicated, whether runners should be able to freely transfer race entries, and whether live tracking and constant updates actually make races better. They also dive into the growing European trail scene, try to figure out what race they're even talking about, and discuss the mysterious listeners who apparently refuse to publicly acknowledge that they listen to the podcast.

Plus, the usual trail running tangents, questionable opinions, and plenty of stuff that probably shouldn't have made it onto the internet.

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🎙️ Hosted by Jake Kilgore & Mick Garrison

#TrailRunning #ultrarunning 

Music License: COVFFU5C7U01A7NC

This week, we recap a scorching Speedgoat weekend, discuss race logistics after reports of water shortages, question whether AI is becoming less reliable, and look at the growing impact of UTMB on Chamonix. We also dive into the ongoing debate surrounding BPC-157, WADA regulations, and whether ultra running has the right approach to banned substances.

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1Home — your home energy partner for solar, battery, HVAC, roofing, EV chargers, and duct cleaning across Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Slide into the DMs for a free home energy assessment. (https://1-home.com/)

🎙️ Hosted by Jake Kilgore & Mick Garrison

#TrailRunning #ultrarunning 

Music License: COVFFU5C7U01A7NC

Jake and Mick recap a chaotic week in trail running, including the aftermath of Jake's DC Peaks 100-mile DNF. After looking back at the race, Jake thinks he may have finally figured out exactly what went wrong: a combination of heat, hydration, and a fueling plan that didn't quite work the way he thought it would.

The guys break down the math behind ultra fueling, discuss how even experienced runners can make basic mistakes, and talk about what they would do differently next time. They also dive into a new 200-mile race, the challenges of training for 40,000 feet of climbing, the future of trail running, and plenty of other questionable topics along the way.

Partners: Re-Lyte — clean, effective electrolytes

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🎙️ Hosted by Jake Kilgore & Mick Garrison

#TrailRunning #ultrarunning 

Music License: COVFFU5C7U01A7NC

You trained for months, booked the travel, paid the entry fee—and then the race gets cancelled. Now what?

This week, Jake and Mick break down race cancellations, what recourse runners actually have, and where the responsibility falls when an event never reaches the starting line.

Then we recap a historic Hardrock 100. Ludovic Pommeret delivered a third straight victory while setting a new overall course record, and Courtney Dauwalter returned to the top of the women’s race with a new clockwise course record. We cover the biggest performances, surprises, and takeaways from another wild weekend in Silverton.

Finally, Jake is taking on the DC Peaks 100 in the middle of a Utah heat wave. Come support him this week as he tries to hit a sub 24 hour finish on our brand new course!

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🎙️ Hosted by Jake Kilgore & Mick Garrison

#TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #Hardrock100 #DCPeaks100

Taylor Spike joins the podcast to share the story behind his 300-mile Arizona Monster finish, what he learned from leading much of the race, and why the miles themselves aren't the most meaningful part of the journey.

The conversation goes far beyond racing as Taylor opens up about sobriety, building the Spike Camp community, the importance of belonging, and how adventure can become a powerful tool for personal growth. Whether you're an ultrarunner or just someone looking for purpose through challenge, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Partners: Re-Lyte — clean, effective electrolytes

Use code NextAidStation for 15% off (https://redmond.life/)

Rockstar Energy — fueling the pod, one can at a time (https://rockstarenergy.com/)

1Home — your home energy partner for solar, battery, HVAC, roofing, EV chargers, and duct cleaning across Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Slide into the DMs for a free home energy assessment. (https://1-home.com/)

🎙️ Hosted by Jake Kilgore & Mick Garrison

#TrailRunning #ultrarunning 

Music License: COVFFU5C7U01A7NC

Western States may be in the books, but the ultrarunning world isn't slowing down. Jake and Mick discuss the uncertainty surrounding Hardrock, what the conditions could mean for this year's race, and the latest news leading into one of the sport's most iconic events.

Later in the episode, they call Jeff Browning, fresh off his record-breaking performance at Western States, where he became the fastest 50+ finisher in race history. Jeff reflects on his race, the mindset behind chasing a record, how Cocodona affected his preparation, and what lies ahead as Hardrock quickly approaches.

Whether you're following Hardrock, reliving Western States, or just love hearing from one of the sport's most accomplished veterans, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Partners: Re-Lyte — clean, effective electrolytes

Use code NextAidStation for 15% off (https://redmond.life/)

Rockstar Energy — fueling the pod, one can at a time (https://rockstarenergy.com/)

1Home — your home energy partner for solar, battery, HVAC, roofing, EV chargers, and duct cleaning across Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Slide into the DMs for a free home energy assessment. (https://1-home.com/)

🎙️ Hosted by Jake Kilgore & Mick Garrison

#TrailRunning #ultrarunning 

Music License: COVFFU5C7U01A7NC