RUNSPIRITED

The Canyons-UTMB 50K is part of the race weekend that also offers 100-miler, 100K and 25K options. The 50K course has roughly 5,000 feet of elevation gain on a mix of smooth California dreamin’ single track, along with some rocky sections and several miles on roads between the start-finish area and the trails.

The Hoka Mafate X trail running shoe has a forked carbon fiber plate, higher bed of cushioning, and a very responsive feel.

Elite ultra runners Rod Farvard and Lotti Brinks preview the Canyons-UTMB race, new Hoka Mafate X trail shoes, impact of carbs on performance and more.

Amy Rusiecki, the race director for the Vermont 100 and several other ultras, learns from other RDs and also gives back by providing ideas to others.

Stephanie Turner created the Hare Mountain 100 to give back to the ultra community after she survived a near-fatal mountain bike crash.

Brandon Thrower, race director of Tanawha Adventures, places an emphasis on the ultra running community and commitment to conservation.

The top ultra running stories of 2025 will include top performances likely by Jim Walmsley, Courtney Dauwalter, Katie Schide and others.

The most inspirational men ultra runners include those who broke a historic course record at Leadville, an unknown winning UTMB and others.

The most inspirational women ultra runners include the first Barkley Marathons finisher, the overall AT FKT holder, the Western-UTMB winner.

Why run 100 miles? For me, it is about getting a qualifier for my big audacious goal race, Western States, as the top priority for the year.