Ultra Uncovered

Just two days after winning the 2026 Javelina Jundred and earning a coveted Golden Ticket, Rob Molke joins Russell Ditsworth and Corinne Shalvoy on Ultra Uncovered to break down the biggest performance of his ultrarunning career.

A year after dropping after three laps at Javelina, Rob Molke returned with a completely different approach. Instead of forcing himself into the lead battle early, he trusted his fitness, let the race come back to him, and built his entire strategy around one word: DISCO. Each letter represented a different lap and mindset: Don't Be Stupid, In the Zone, Steady, Compete, Oro. By the final lap, “Oro,” meaning gold, had become the rallying cry as he charged through the field toward a Golden Ticket and ultimately the race win. 

Rob Molke talks about why the mental side of ultrarunning needs to be practiced just like nutrition or strength work, the psychology of chasing instead of being chased, and why he tries to pass competitors with authority. He also shares how studying athletes like Vincent Bouillard and Ryan Montgomery has shaped his approach to racing. 

And the win isn't the end goal. Rob Molke is headed back to the race where he completed his first 100-miler in 2025, but this time his expectations are much higher: he isn't going to Western States simply to participate. He wants to race at the front and contend for the podium. 

Just two days after one of the most dramatic finishes in Javelina Jundred history, Corinne Shalvoy and Russell Ditsworth sit down with 2026 champion Heather Jackson to hear how the race unfolded from her perspective.

Heather takes us inside a day that didn’t start the way she expected. After deliberately trying to control her early effort—and wondering whether a long season had finally caught up with her—she found another gear in the final two laps. With pacers Eric Lagerstrom and Nick Goldston helping shift the momentum, Heather went from questioning her day to hunting down the leaders.

Then came an unforgettable final lap.

Seven minutes behind Carla Molinaro at Jackass Junction, Heather initially thought the win was out of reach. But over the closing miles, she kept cutting into the gap before finally spotting Carla ahead. What followed was essentially a sprint finish at the end of 100 miles, including a late surge at roughly 5:50 pace, as Heather made the pass just before returning to Javelina Jeadquarters and held on for the win.

Heather shares what was going through her head during those frantic final miles, the impact of her pacers, her interaction with Carla after the finish, and why her experience at Cocodona earlier this year may have given her an entirely new level of fatigue resistance.

The conversation also goes beyond Javelina. Heather talks about the rapidly rising level of women’s ultrarunning, why experience can actually be an advantage for masters athletes, her love for Aravaipa events and live race coverage, and the unexpected Western States Golden Ticket that now has her reconsidering what 2027 might look like.

After a season with some huge highs and difficult DNFs, Javelina gave Heather exactly what she came looking for: a chance to finish the year on a good note.

She did a little more than that.

The Ultra Uncovered crew is back for a Fire Road episode — catching up on recent racing, looking ahead to Javelina, and digging into some of the biggest storylines in ultrarunning right now.

Graham recaps a hot and deceptively tough Lake Sonoma 50, while Corinne shares her return to racing after UTMB with a fourth-place finish at Kodiak 100K — earning a UTMB auto-qualification for 2027 in the process.

Then it’s all eyes on Javelina.

With rain in the forecast and potentially very different conditions from the heat Javelina is known for, Corinne, Graham, and Russell break down what mud, wet sand, and cooler temperatures could mean for the race. They dig into the stacked men’s and women’s fields, Golden Ticket contenders, dark horses, and the athletes who could thrive if conditions get messy.

Corinne also previews a very full Javelina weekend: livestream commentary, athlete interviews, pacing Lucy Rathbun, the first Women Can. event activation — and, naturally, multiple Halloween costumes.

Plus, the crew talks Ryan Montgomery’s massive goal of approaching 200 miles at Desert Solstice, what his recent training says about the attempt, and the increasingly difficult UltraRunner of the Year conversation after an extraordinary year of performances on the women’s side.

A little race recap, a lot of Javelina, some questionable fantasy picks, and plenty to catch up on.

In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, Russell, Corinne, and Graham recap two of the biggest trail running events in the world: the Leadville Trail 100 and UTMB.

From race execution and training lessons to emotional highs and difficult setbacks, this conversation provides an unfiltered look at what it takes to chase ambitious goals in ultrarunning.⁠ ⁠

Russell breaks down his breakthrough performance at Leadville, where he improved from a 27:46 finish to an incredible 23:03, earning a coveted Big Buckle and smashing his goal by nearly two hours. He shares how higher weekly mileage, consistent physical therapy, disciplined fueling, and exceptional support from his crew and pacers all contributed to his best ultramarathon performance to date.

Corinne reflects on her journey to the start line of UTMB, including a focused training block in Colorado's San Juan Mountains and the unforgettable atmosphere of Chamonix. She shares what it was like to start alongside some of the sport's biggest names, experience the energy of thousands of spectators, and navigate the race through the night. While her day ultimately ended in Courmayeur after physical struggles including vision issues, she offers a thoughtful reflection on the lessons learned and why the experience only deepened her desire to return stronger.⁠ ⁠

The trio also discusses race trends, standout performances from athletes such as Rachel Entrekin, Riley Brady, and Jen Lichter, the growing global significance of UTMB, and why Leadville continues to hold a unique place in the soul of the sport. The result is a candid conversation about perseverance, growth, community, and what keeps runners coming back to tackle these iconic events.⁠ ⁠

This episode is brought to you by Open Fuel Nutrition. Whether you're training for your next ultramarathon or dialing in your race-day fueling strategy, Open Fuel's athlete-focused products help simplify nutrition so you can focus on performance. Check out their drink mixes, gels, and fueling solutions, and use code UU25 to save 25% off your order.

In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, Russell, Corinne, and Graham recap two of the biggest trail running events in the world: the Leadville Trail 100 and UTMB.

From race execution and training lessons to emotional highs and difficult setbacks, this conversation provides an unfiltered look at what it takes to chase ambitious goals in ultrarunning. 

Russell breaks down his breakthrough performance at Leadville, where he improved from a 27:46 finish to an incredible 23:03, earning a coveted Big Buckle and smashing his goal by nearly two hours. He shares how higher weekly mileage, consistent physical therapy, disciplined fueling, and exceptional support from his crew and pacers all contributed to his best ultramarathon performance to date.

Corinne reflects on her journey to the start line of UTMB, including a focused training block in Colorado's San Juan Mountains and the unforgettable atmosphere of Chamonix. She shares what it was like to start alongside some of the sport's biggest names, experience the energy of thousands of spectators, and navigate the race through the night. While her day ultimately ended in Courmayeur after physical struggles including vision issues, she offers a thoughtful reflection on the lessons learned and why the experience only deepened her desire to return stronger. 

The trio also discusses race trends, standout performances from athletes such as Rachel Entrekin, Riley Brady, and Jen Lichter, the growing global significance of UTMB, and why Leadville continues to hold a unique place in the soul of the sport. The result is a candid conversation about perseverance, growth, community, and what keeps runners coming back to tackle these iconic events. 

This episode is brought to you by Open Fuel Nutrition. Whether you're training for your next ultramarathon or dialing in your race-day fueling strategy, Open Fuel's athlete-focused products help simplify nutrition so you can focus on performance. Check out their drink mixes, gels, and fueling solutions, and use code UU25 to save 25% off your order.

In the final episode of the UU Leadville Uncovered 2026 series, Corinne Shalvoy and Russell Ditsworth break down the newly announced Leadville Trail 100 Run course and discuss how the reroutes compare to the traditional route. While the first and last sections of the race have changed, runners will still experience the heart of Leadville: Outward Bound, Twin Lakes, Hope Pass, and Winfield. Russell shares why he believes the redesigned course does an excellent job preserving the spirit and profile of the original race while reducing bottlenecks and technical terrain.

The conversation then turns to race predictions, with discussion around top contenders, potential winning times, and how the faster course could impact both elites and mid-pack runners. Corinne and Russell predict a competitive race on both the men's and women's sides, while acknowledging the legendary performances that have defined Leadville history.

Russell also shares a candid look at his Leadville preparation. From his strongest training block to date, night running practice, gear choices, heat management lessons, and race-day strategy, he's entering the race feeling healthy, confident, and focused on pursuing the coveted Big Buckle while securing a Western States qualifier.

The episode closes with details about Ultra Uncovered's live athlete panel at the Leadville Expo, shoutouts to the Castle Rock Run Club athletes racing and supporting the event, and an overview of expanded media coverage that will bring fans closer to the action throughout race weekend. 

HUGE Thanks to Open Fuel Nutrition for their support of the entire Leadville Uncovered series.

Use code UU25 for 25% off your order.

After reaching mile 77 in 2025, Brian Reynolds, double amputee, returns with his strongest training cycle yet, a redesigned prosthetic setup, and a crew built to handle the race's unique demands. He explains why conventional high-mileage ultramarathon training does not work for his body, how cycling and steep treadmill sessions have helped him build endurance, and why equipment durability can determine whether he reaches the finish line.

Brian is joined by Tom Hooper, a key member of his pacing team, who describes the physical and emotional demands of helping Brian navigate Hope Pass. Together, they discuss carrying multiple sets of prosthetic legs, switching equipment on the course, managing steep descents, and building a team of 14 to 15 crew members and pacers. Brian also reflects on the support of the Leadville Race Series and the community that keeps drawing him back to the Race Across the Sky.

This is a story of adaptation, teamwork, persistence, and one athlete's refusal to stop chasing the finish line.

This episode is brought to you with support from Open Fuel Nutrition. Drink mixes that both Corinne & Russell use and love. Open Fuel prioritizes people over profit, transparency, and integrity and we are here for it.

Visit openfuel.co and use code UU25 for 25% off.

When doctors told Jared Ewing he would never run again after a devastating accident that nearly cost him his leg, he chose a different path. In this inspiring episode of Leadville Uncovered, Jared shares how he went from hating running to becoming one of the most remarkable athletes in ultrarunning. Today, despite missing his calf muscles and Achilles tendon, he's chasing history as he attempts to become the first adaptive athlete to complete the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. 

Jared walks through his journey from Army National Guard member and reluctant marathoner to adaptive ultrarunner, describing the accident that changed his life, the grueling rehabilitation process, and the mindset that helped him progress from a quarter-mile walk on a treadmill to finishing a marathon just 10 months after being told he'd never run one again.

The conversation explores his impressive performances at Old Dominion and Vermont 100, the unique challenges he faces navigating technical terrain with limited ankle mobility, and why Leadville represents both a personal test and a key step toward completing the Grand Slam. Jared also discusses his documentary project focused on increasing visibility for adaptive and para athletes in trail and ultrarunning, advocating for greater recognition and race categories that help inspire others facing similar challenges.

Most importantly, Jared shares a powerful philosophy: don't fear failure. Instead, search for your limits, embrace challenges, and remain curious about what's possible.

Presented by OpenFuel Nutrition: Russell and Corinne trust OpenFuel's drink mix in training and racing because of the company's commitment to transparency, integrity, and putting people before profits. Use code UU25 for 25% off at OpenFuel.co.

For Ailsa MacDonald, simply arriving at the Leadville 100 starting line healthy feels like a victory.

After battling injuries throughout 2025, including hip issues, a bike crash, and persistent Achilles tendinitis, Ailsa was forced to withdraw from last year's race just one week before the start. At one point, she wasn't even sure she'd be healthy enough to use her deferred entry in 2026.

Instead, this year has been the exact opposite.

The injuries have faded, training has gone exceptionally well, and for the first time in a long time, she's completed an entire training cycle without significant setbacks. That alone has her feeling optimistic as she prepares for her third attempt at Leadville.

In this episode of Leadville Uncovered, Ailsa discusses balancing ultrarunning with an incredibly demanding work schedule that includes two weeks of night shifts followed by two weeks off. Rather than fighting against that schedule, she's learned to use it to her advantage, scheduling her biggest training weeks during her time off and using her work rotations as built-in recovery weeks.

The conversation also explores why iconic races like UTMB, Western States, and Leadville continue to pull her in. A former top-10 finisher at UTMB and Golden Ticket winner, Ailsa is drawn to the sport's biggest challenges and isn't afraid to seek out the races that test every aspect of an athlete.

She shares the lessons she's learned from previous Leadville attempts, including the importance of staying on top of nutrition at altitude, managing the heat on Hope Pass, and adopting a more disciplined fueling strategy that relies on eating by the clock rather than by hunger.

Perhaps the most surprising revelation?

Ailsa has never used a pacer. Not at Leadville. Not at Western States. Not ever. Instead, she prefers to tackle the challenge alone.

And despite all of her accomplishments, her goal for this year's race couldn't be simpler.

Finish.

Because after everything she's been through over the last two years, crossing that finish line would mean far more than any placing or podium result.

This episode of Leadville Uncovered is brought to you by OpenFuel Nutrition. Whether you're preparing for your first ultra or chasing a buckle at Leadville, OpenFuel delivers personalized sports nutrition designed specifically for endurance athletes. Corinne and Russell both rely on OpenFuel in training and racing. Use code UU25 to save 25% and support the show.

If you've followed Andy Glaze on social media, you already know his superpower: finding the positive in just about everything.

That mindset is exactly what brings him back to Leadville for a third consecutive year.

Despite declaring, "I'll never do this again," after his first finish, Andy is once again heading back to the Race Across the Sky, drawn not by the altitude or the suffering, but by the people. For him, Leadville has always been about the community, the volunteers, the aid stations, the history, and the energy that surrounds one of trail running's most iconic events.

In this episode of Leadville Uncovered, Andy shares why he's actually excited about the 2026 course changes and why seeing new terrain only adds to the adventure. As long as Hope Pass remains part of the course, he's happy. Everything else is just another opportunity to explore.

The conversation also dives into one of the biggest challenges Andy has faced at Leadville: the final 30 miles. After experiencing two difficult finishes and a complete unraveling after returning to Twin Lakes, he's changing his strategy this year by bringing in pacers to help him stay focused and moving toward his goal of earning a sub-25-hour buckle.

And then there's the schedule.

Because running Crazy Mountain 100, Leadville 100, and UTMB apparently wasn't enough, Andy added another international race to the calendar at the last minute. His summer now includes four massive events spread across two continents, with two transatlantic flights squeezed into just a few weeks. The result? A self-described "quadfecta" that sounds equal parts ambitious and completely absurd.

The episode also branches into Andy's love for Burrito League, the importance of building local running communities, his incredible 100-mile-per-week running streak, and the constant balancing act between speed and consistency.

Through it all, Andy remains exactly who the running community has come to know and appreciate: authentic, optimistic, and endlessly supportive.

This episode of Leadville Uncovered is brought to you by OpenFuel Nutrition. Russell's current favorite is the Passion Mango Tango Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix, while Corinne continues to reach for Radical Raspberry Ripple. OpenFuel is built on values endurance athletes can appreciate: people over profit, environmental responsibility, and positivity. Use code UU25 to save 25% and support the show.