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In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, we go deep on one of the most iconic—and punishing—mountain races in the world: the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent. We're joined by Colorado Springs local and multi-time champion Kristina Mascarenas, whose deep love for this mountain (and her decent record) makes her the perfect co-host to help us break it all down.

From the relentless W's to the infamous Golden Stairs, we dissect every section of the course and share practical advice for tackling the climb, prepping for high-altitude conditions, handling the mental grind, and navigating gear and etiquette on race day.

Kristina also shares her unique journey into the sport—how a challenge from her brother pulled her off the couch and onto the mountain, and how she’s rebounded from not one, but two major ankle injuries to keep chasing her best performances.

We also dive into the history and legends of America’s Mountain, from Matt Carpenter’s still-unbreakable 1993 record to the rise of Remi Bonnet, Maude Mathys, and other international stars.

Kristina gives us insider tips on how to race the decent (pro tip: don’t step on anything that might roll), what to expect in terms of trail conditions and weather, and why emotional readiness is just as important as physical training. Whether you're gunning for a golden hour finish or just hoping to cross that line, this one’s packed with insight, lore, and plenty of laughs—including a few “Uncle Rick” gems and a call for Jim Walmsley to please come race Pikes.

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Ultra Uncovered, we sit down with back-to-back Leadville Trail 100 champion and course record holder David Roche following his stunning 15:12:30 performance in 2025. What unfolds is not just a race recap, but a raw and emotional reflection on love, vulnerability, burnout, redemption, and what it means to truly run for something deeper than results. David shares how he approached this year’s race unburdened by expectations, inspired by joy, community, and the concept of “obliterating himself with love”—a total contrast to the pressure and challenges he faced at Western States.

The conversation dives into the motivation behind his “orange era,” Taylor Swift metaphors, fueling breakthroughs, what it means to be a privateer athlete in today’s sponsorship landscape, and why Leadville—and the people who line its trails—feel like home. It’s a candid portrait of one of trail running’s most thoughtful athletes navigating what it means to own your story, race with heart, and share your gifts with the world.

Thumbnail photo: The Talented Peter Maksimow

Leadville 2025 will be remembered as the year history was made — twice.

In this debrief, we break down a weekend where both men’s and women’s course records fell, with David Roach lowering his own mark by 14 minutes and Dr. Anne Flower becoming the first woman in over 30 years to eclipse Ann Trason’s legendary 18:06.

But the story of Leadville is never just about the front of the pack. We dive into the race’s unique finisher stats — from golden hour grit to the elusive 25-hour big buckle — and reflect on what makes this course so deceptively tough. We celebrate a women’s field that ran deeper and more competitive than ever, highlight breakout performances from names you’ll want to remember, and share inside perspectives from the Twin Lakes energy to Castle Rock Run Club’s standout finishes.

From all-star pacing crews to unexpected breakout stars, from course history to course hangovers, this conversation captures why Leadville continues to be both a proving ground and a family.

Time Stamps:

00:00Leadville Race Debrief

03:08Record-Breaking Performances

05:56Finisher Statistics and Insights

08:44Women's Race Highlights

11:57Competitive Fields and Media Coverage

26:36The Complexity of Prize Money in Ultra Running

32:42The Leadville Family and Its Unique Culture

39:03Castle Rock Run Club's Performance and Stories

43:53Unexpected Breakouts and Surprising Finishes

51:50Respect for All Participants and Future Aspirations

We preview 8 men and women you should keep an eye out for at this years event!

Stay to the end for some breaking news and a special Castle Rock Run Club shoutout and guest.

"I want to learn a lot from it."

"Running keeps me sane."

"I love technical terrain."

As heard in the 5th and final episode of our special "Leadville Uncovered" athlete coverage leading up to the 2025 race across the sky.

In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, hosts Russell Ditsworth and Corinne Shalvoy engage with ultra runners Anne Flower, Bo Shelby, and Lea Mulligan as they discuss their athletic backgrounds, experiences transitioning to ultra running, and their preparations for the Leadville 100.

These are names you want to remember when you see them on start lines in the future.

We've had a blast bringing you this Leadville coverage for the second year in a row. Thanks for following along and please share the pod with someone in your running network.

~Corinne & Russell

"I'm her number one fan."

"I can't wait to take that shit off."

"I think it's kind of a faster 100."

There are all quotes from Part 4 of our 'Leadville Uncovered' series. In this episode we talk with Cam Hanes (who is taking on LT100 with his son Truett) and Janji Athlete Manager and Ultra Runner Extraordinaire Kyla Maher. This is a fun one and should get you excited for Leadville week!

Remember to come see us at the Expo on Friday, Aug 22nd for our LIVE pod at 1pm.

Happy Leadville Week

In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, hosts Russell Ditsworth and Corinne Shalvoy engage with ultra runners Devin Yanko Rodrigo Jimenez, and Ailsa MacDonald as they share their experiences and insights leading up to the Leadville Trail 100.

From Devon's rich, multi decade history in the sport to Rodrigo's role as the Dream Chaser for Leadville and Ailsa's redemption tour, each athlete discusses their unique strategies for tackling Leadville and how their personal lives intersect with their passion for ultra running.

The episode highlights the significance of resilience, support, and the lessons learned through the beautiful sport or ultra running.

Tune in for inspiration, real talk, and a big announcement from Rodrigo.

Let us know what you think and we hope you're enjoying the coverage!

Devon's Silver Whisker Bakery

Dream Chaser Pledge

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In Episode 2 of our special Mini Series, Leadville Uncovered, hosts Russell Ditsworth and Corinne Shalvoy interview super stars Katie Asmuth and Andy Glaze as they prepare for the 2025 Leadville Trail 100.

The conversation covers their personal journeys, training regimens, mental resilience, and the unique challenges of ultra running and Leadville in particular.

They discuss the importance of trail culture and community, Andy discusses the haters and how to handle them, and they both share the excitement of competing in the infamous Leadville Trail 100.

Thank you to Katie and Andy for sharing their time and thoughts ahead of the 2025 LT100 Run!

In this episode of a special series, Leadville Uncovered, hosts Russell Ditsworth and Corinne Shalvoy engage with ultra runners Kris Rugloski, Pat Cade, and Justin Grunewald as they share their experiences and insights leading up to the 2025 Leadville Trail 100 run.

The conversation explores into their backgrounds, training strategies, challenges faced in past races, and their aspirations for the upcoming event. The talks discuss the experiences and insights of each athlete as they discuss their training, race strategies, and the importance of community and support in the sport.

Key themes include the significance of asking questions in sports, the balance between different types of races, the role of gear and nutrition, and the celebration of achievements in ultra running. The discussion also touches on the challenges posed by iconic races like the Barkley Marathons and the Leadville Trail 100.

Enjoy and let us know what you think!

This is the first of a multi part series each featuring multiple athletes lining up at the 2025 LT100 RUN!

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In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, Corinne Shalvoy and Russell Ditsworth interview Tamira Jenlink, the race director for the Leadville Trail Series. They explore the rich history of Leadville, the athlete experience, and the importance of community and volunteers in ultra running. Tamira shares her personal journey with Leadville, her transition to race director, and the challenges and joys of managing such a significant event. The conversation also touches on record-breaking performances, the impact of COVID on running, and advice for upcoming runners.

00:00The Magic of Leadville: A Historical Overview

12:02Tamira's Journey: From Athlete to Race Director

20:46The Athlete Experience: Growth Through Endurance

28:26Community and Volunteers: The Heart of Leadville

31:47Preserving Tradition: The Legacy of the Leadville Trail 100

36:09The Power of Community and Connection

39:06Understanding the Unique 4 AM Start Time

42:35Record-Breaking Performances and Their Impact

48:13The Ethos of the Leadville Coins and Accessibility

54:35Safety and Management Changes for Twin Lakes

01:03:46Final Advice for Runners Preparing for the Race