Ultramarathon and Trail Running Daily News | Tue, Jan 21

Fegy writes a loooong and detailed post about his trail shoe choices over the years, and how he never quite found the perfect shoe…until now. Not sponsored, not an ambassador, just an honest opinion from a guy who knows a little thing about the trails.
These are also shoes Ben and I have been raving about for years…stay tuned for a new show this week where Ben digs deep into his gear closet for a comprehensive review of winter running gear.

Mountain Outhouse News: New beer mile record…sort of, Spine and Bandera recaps, FKTOY awards, and a tribute to Laura Kosokoski.

Paul from RunRepeat responds to your questions about the recent “sex differences in ultra results” study from two weeks ago.

Treeline Journal: Chase catches up with Jared Hazen after HK100 and asks about the race and also includes some info on the growing Chinese ultra scene. The culture is strong, and with nearly 1.5 Billion people, there are sure to be some standout talents.
Also, I check South China Morning Post (SCMP) every day for MUT news…Mark Agnew does a great job sharing stories and analysis from the region.

…like this article about which stretches we should be doing after a trail run or ultramarathon.

Trailrunner/Roche: Want to get faster, but also make sure you’re healthy for the long term? David Roche has the answers for you.

Treadmill: Over the weekend, Márton Darvas from Hungary set a new World Record for 24 hours on the treadmill with 286km…that’s 177 miles. Wow!

Four day ultramarathon stage race planned for Kyrgyzstan. Step one: Find it on a map.

A quick perusal shows overall dislike and distrust of the Leadville lottery draw. Couldn’t really nail down any specifics…what was/is the issue?

When Jornet’s Everest accomplishment broke on social media and other outlets, one of the more interesting comments came from Italian mountaineering legend Marino Giacometti, [who] told Runner’s World magazine, “a great achievement of both endurance and survival. In trail-running terms, this is one of the great performances. No ropes, no oxygen.” Yes, Everest had been referred to in trail-running terms.

—Rock and Ice: Will the future of alpinism and mountaineering belong to runners? Interesting story on how SkyRunners like Kilian and Karl are making an impact on those sports.

Bummer: Rock and Roll Arizona Half Marathon screwed up with a misplaced cone and now results are inaccurate. Ugh.

At that race, Jim clocked a 1:02:13 for the half…that’s 4.44mpm before adjustments for the short course. Daaaaang.

ICYMI: If you haven’t heard our interview with Jim Walmsley from 2017, I’d highly recommend finding an hour run and plugging in today. He opens up about his past and how some major issues pushed him to take control of his own destiny. Check it out.

Outside: Can LetsRun change their act?

A family was on a hike in Massachusetts when a coyote grabbed the three year old and tried to run off. Dad answered back by killing it with his bare hands. “Dad, what have you ever done for me?!?” now has an easy answer.

Broadcast Now: I’m hoping this press announcement about Kilian’s new documentary isn’t a harbinger of its theme: Extreme sports!…Danger! EXTREME!!! Yawn.

8020 Endurance/Matt Fitzgerald: Prone to getting cold feet before a race? Matt’s got some great advice for all of us.

9 Responses to "Ultramarathon and Trail Running Daily News | Tue, Jan 21"

Lance says:

January 21, 2020 at 7:07 am

The issue with Leadville is that is it not a lottery. Everyone knows this.

Reply
1. Wyatt says:
  
  January 21, 2020 at 6:15 pm
  
  Who knows this? And how do you know it? Please explain.
  
  Reply
Hunter says:

January 21, 2020 at 8:40 am

I’m not a frequent LetsRun reader, but the comments from the leadership team there do not inspire confidence that they really want to solve any problems.

Reply
Chase Parnell says:

January 21, 2020 at 9:10 am

Paging Mario Mendoza re: 24 hour treadmill WR. I’ll get the gymnasium ready. Kids can have a slumber party.

Reply
Dan P says:

January 21, 2020 at 10:56 am

The issue with Leadville is that there is no transparency to the “lottery”. Seems designed to force buy ins through coaching or charity slots which also includes a registration fee of $1200 on top of raising money. If you are willing or able to spend 2k you can essentially bypass the lottery. You can also get a gold coin at other Leadville races which helps boost attendance at those events. At least with other races like Western and Hardrock they have let everyone know how their lotteries work and disclosed all the formerly secret picks, sponsor entries etc. I haven’t found anywhere that Leadville discloses how many slots are given to charity and coaching/ run camps so now way to tell what the odds are or if anyone actually gets drawn from the at large lottery.

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Jacques says:

January 21, 2020 at 12:54 pm

What Dan said. I’ve been told that it’s their race and their rules, but there needs to be more transparency for a race run on Public Lands that we are all entitled to.

As far as I’m concerned, the race was ruined when it was sold to Life Time Fitness. The lack of any qualifying requirements, no limits on the runners in the first few years, and all the lottery bypasses tell you that profit is more important than the legacy of the race. While the charity entries are for good causes, the main ones that you’re asked to support a part of Life Time and used to bolster their donation numbers and image. These entries also ensure those with the means can buy their way in.

Reply
1. Wyatt says:
  
  January 21, 2020 at 6:14 pm
  
  Jacques: Please explain how Leadville in any way infringes on “public lands that we are all entitled to.” Even during the race you are welcome to go out for a run on the course if you are not an entrant. Leadville in no way gets in the way of what you are “entitled to.” Not in any way whatsoever. That is a baseless, false claim.
  
  Additionally, Leadville has NEVER required a qualifier–not even before Life Time purchased the series. Requiring a qualifier is not in the spirit of how Ken and Merilee envisioned it, as I understand. Additionally, there have ALWAYS been caps, including in 2013 when they tested a field over 1,000. Finally, please share with us all of this insider knowledge you claim to have of the lottery bypassing fairness for profit.
  
  One more thing: The Leadville 100 was founded to help boost the local economy, while providing a challenge for courageous souls. Making money has always been part of the deal with Leadville. They are capitalists but they also built a race that is truly world-class.
  
  Please get your facts straight before you make empty accusations.
  
  Reply
Lance says:

January 22, 2020 at 7:59 am

It is called a lottery which implies random chance at entry. Explain how people know they are in prior to the drawing that no one sees. What part of the organization are you in Wyatt? They are free to pick whoever they want for their race but don’t tell me it is a lottery when I have to pay to enter and then pick all your friends and exclude people you have a beef with. It’s garbage and you know it.

Reply
darylatpointcaryl says:

January 22, 2020 at 5:34 pm

Reading from Kyrgyzstan, and i can tell you, that is likely to be a chilly, rugged ultra. I used to live in the region the race is said to be in. Didn’t subscribe so I could read about it, but hopefully it gets into the mountains rather than just circumnavigating the lake along the roads (like the photo might imply).

Reply

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