The Ultra Running Guys

Rebecca Scott is a fighter!  A quick scan of her UltraSignup will definitely show that she’s tough, with a podium finish in 12 of the 27 listed events, but what it won’t show you are the obstacles that she has had to overcome to get here.  Because the truth is that life is not always fair, and adversity is not evenly distributed, but she is a glaring example that even in the face of overwhelming odds, we all have the power to persevere.  And in her case, to share extra positivity with those around her.  Her goal at every ultra is to bring a smile to someone in the race, Because, in her own words, “You have no idea what someone has struggled with, and if you can bring a little light to their darkness, you are doing well.”  So plug into to hear her inspiring story, why her kids had to kick her out of the car at Mile 80 of the Rocky Raccoon 100, and what type of race she swears to never do again after a recent, hard fought DFL experience.  And also, a huge congrats for just taking on the Speedgoat 50K!  Hard fought and well deserved! Be sure to give her a follow on IG at @rscott_ocrmomma!

This is our FIRST race spotlight for a race that takes place outside of the US. This race is the largest trail race, the largest ultra, and the oldest ultra in Canada. And, as of May 2024, the first ever Western States Qualifying race based out of Ontario.

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theultrarunningguys.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Race: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Final Countdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - September 14, 2024

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/theultrarunningguy⁠s

Nolan McKenna currently holds the Top Performance in North America in 2024 for the 50K distance with an astounding finish time of 2:58:54, which equates to a mind boggling average pace of about 5:46 a mile for 31 miles. And we were super excited to talk with him about his first 100 mile attempt at the Kettle Moraine 100, as well as find out what pulled him into the ultra scene in the first place. Check out the full episode to hear about his lessons learned, what it’s been like transitioning from the track to the trail, and what tips he has for building speed. Be sure to give him a follow on IG at @thecoachmckenna

We are heading down to Florida for this one. The Long Haul 100 miler consists of 6, 16.7 mile loops and runners have 32 hours to complete the race. However, this race is also a Western States qualifier, so if you finish this race in under 30 hours, you also earn your ticket to the Western States lottery.

The race takes place in January each year, so

The Long Haul 100 is held in Colt Creek State Park in Lakeland, FL, is Trail Sister Approved and is great for runners looking to take on their first 100 and there are also a ton of veterans that flock to this race.

We had a great time learning about this race, so take a few minutes and listen to get the inside scoop from the Race Director himself, Andy "Croom" Mathews.

Race spotlight recommended by Rusty Smith. Thanks Rusty!

Long Haul 100 Info:

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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theultrarunningguys.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Race: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Final Countdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - September 14, 2024

Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/theultrarunningguy⁠s

Jeff Browning is currently ranked 2nd in the world for most 100 mile career wins, having competed in over 200 ultras and standing at the top of the Podium for races like Hardrock, Bighorn 100, HURT 100, and so many more. He has been named in the top 10 ultra runners of the year an astounding 8 times, and at age 52, is the oldest male to ever be ranked. And he just keeps getting better.

It is not often that you stumble across the first of anything these days. But through the course of this episode, we learned a fun fact. This race was the first 100k race distance to be held in the state of Alabama. In the Heat of the Night 100k takes place in the Talladega Forest, in Anniston, Alabama.

Not only is the first 100k in Alabama, but, as the name implies, what sets this 100k apart from others is that it is run at night. The course is a looped course and runners will complete 4 - 15+ mile loops on a surface of maintained dirt and gravel forest roads. You have 18 hours to complete the 100k, and the elevation gain is a little over 7900 feet.

Photo: Pete Schreiner

Thank you for the recommendation Jake @irunuphillsallday and Melissa @melisssalondry

In the Heat of the Night 100k Info:

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On May 18, we took on the grueling Cruel Jewel 50 miler, which is actually a 57.5 mile trek through the Georgia mountains with 17K feet of climbing! It was beautiful, it was awesome, and it was tough! And as it turned out for both of us, our race ended just past the 50K mark. Check out the full episode to hear how we prepared, what went well, and what ultimately led to the decision to pull the plug. Huge thanks to our good friend Michelle Goldberg for stepping in as guest host and keeping us in line. Enjoy!

We all know that Ultras come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There is only one common denominator, an ultra, by definition is any race over 26.2 miles. In our race spotlights over the past year, we have never covered a race like this one.

We first heard about this race from our good friend Michelle Goldberg who connected us with the race director and we are grateful to have runners in the community that continue to make recommendations to us about guests and races. Thank you all for that!

On to the race, the Warriors UltraRun is an overnight, underground running experience that carries runners over 28 miles as they recreate the escape route from the iconic 1979 cult film by Walter Hill. After attending a 1 AM Conclave, held at a secret location in the Bronx, runners dressed as gang members pass movie shooting sights as they race for Coney Island. The course passes key landmarks from the movie and will run through Times Square and over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Have we got your attention? It has gotten ours. The race is one of a kind. And there is so much more to learn about the race, so take some time to listen to our chat with the RD Todd Aydelotte. Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and if you love the episode make sure to like and subscribe!

Photo by Armando “OUTthere” Diaz @outtherenj

Warriors UltraRun Info:

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Aaron Stacy is a certified badass. And while he is probably likely to get mistaken for a muscle and fitness model vs a trail and ultra runner, there is no question that this guy is a monster on the course. But it wasn’t always that way. As a lifelong law enforcement officer, running was not part of the picture until 2016, when, following the loss of 50 lbs so that he could train with his daughter, his wife dared him to run a last minute half marathon and a new love was born. He has since embraced a primal lifestyle, built a thriving coaching business, and uses his passion for helping others to help navigate the pain cave during tough races, 3 of which he has coming up over the next 3 months. So tune in while we chat with the Primal Run Coach about his inspiring story, how he is training for a huge summer, and why leadership and humility are at the foundation of everything he does.

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We LOVE episode recommendations for race spotlights or for guests on the show. And that is how we first heard of this race out of Nebraska. The Cowboy 200 was recommended by our friend Tyler (@crimsontyler88).

On to the race, the Cowboy 200 is a point-to-point 200-mile footrace along the Cowboy Trail in Nebraska. This is a rails-to-trails course and is run on a non-technical, 100% runnable, crushed limestone path. NO MOTOR VEHICLES ARE ON THE TRAIL! There will be short paved sections when running through towns along the route. But that basically means, for 200 miles, you aren't dealing with cars along the way.

The 200 miler has a cutoff of 84 hours (25:12/mile average) and based on some of our research looks like an incredible option for those runners looking to try out a 200 mile race that may be a little less daunting than one with a large amount of elevation.

If you have been thinking about a 200 mile race, it may be time to add the Cowboy 200 to your list. We spoke with the race directors, Casey and Chase Hammond about the race and think you may be inspired to sign up! Enjoy the show and, if you like the content, leave us a comment or subscribe to let us know.

Photo by Brooke with Brooke Kaczor Photography.

Cowboy 200 Info:

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