Nov 8, 2023·edited Nov 8, 2023Liked by Sarah Lavender Smith
So, as an ambassador for a company that makes lights, belts, and vests I will share this...last week someone w/in our nonpublic FB group (who was less familiar with ultra distances on trails) coincidentally found the new UT Whistler race and wanted feedback regarding it as a introductory race for his indoctrination into the sport. He must have felt like Icarus getting too close to the sun. Those of us in the know were eager to be supportive and helpful to encourage his interest in ultras, but we shared with robust assuredness , this destination race was not the way to go! And though it was not contentious, I think he got the message as he was looking at alternatives. Enough on that...but... people looking at this sport right now, without any background need some mentorship to navigate some of this. I say this not to be pedantic, but more to underscore why the fate of the sport requires some forbearance and open dialog to shed light on why UTMB should be put on notice. It is a watershed moment. Sara, as always, you are deftly sharing asides that are helpful and keen. It is aided by opinions (that we all have, and should share dispassionately) that come from personal and professional sensibilities. Much like Megan Hicks has reported on IRUNFAR.
Anyway, openly sharing on the processes, ethics,, etc, on the overtures UTMB and Vail collaborated on are worthy of some ink. Firstly, most opinions I have encountered have been disciplined. From my campfire, what I see, are people that care deeply about the sport, its future, and are attempting to find clarity to sustain growth. Most place a priority to do as much as we can to not compromise RDs organizing small venues at a grass root levels and bandwagon that same amt. of support for larger scale entities like J Coury's events that (now are bi-coastal) have more media rich coverage. Even when you take in account a bias most of us have to a well-known and highly regarded source like Gary Robbins (I just know him from Barkley and a few on air interviews w/Ginger Runner a while back) the discussion is not malice based. It is warranted though and it is in response to the disproportioned resources Ironman can bring to bear. It is a meta-view on issues that are critical. Like everyone that pricked up their ears once this story dropped, I wanted to get some balanced reporting first on the Whistler fallout, esp. since I see growth as good. I know how sponsorships help the athletes I like to follow (and elites that are my friends are part of my bias, frankly). I am on the side of boycotting UTMB all said, but that is fluid and not deeply embedded...there are opportunities for this to be a teachable moment to reform what is going on and speak out in the interim to get the rudder re-set ultimately. Until then, UTMB is a pariah and fair game to get shunned. It would be unprecedented for major players and businesses to get involved though. I dont think the elites have much they can do, it's a thin sampling of folks. Consumers have more power to post up and defend the opposition. And that starts with letting the companies that profit from it know. The races are easy to find, as are open trails any day of the week, so that is a bit of a diluted impact. That said, and let's be honest, if you have a pair of Hokas, Altra, or Salomons in your closet (or whatever floats your boat) and profit from advancements in the quality of the product well, that is a matter of health and safety. Real difficult "ask" to put some pressure and impact on an industry that depends on volume of sales keep running on them to gain traction on this UTMB issue. And trail running is a niche, so it is a quandary concurrent to a tenuous juggling act (esp. post pandemic) to keep legacy races intact and sustain them. Yikes.
It complicates the goal I hear most speaking out on, espousing and searching out a way forward to bring people together. And doing so locally and at destination events that build a consensus where ultra and subultra trail running is your why! So important and empowering. It binds us. But it will take time and some tone deaf events like Whistler to fix our sights on long term growth hopefully not at the expense of more RDs like Gary. This is too long winded...sorry. I have a lot on my mind outside of this too...election forecasts for next year (WTF), looking for bright spots etc. friends experiencing setbacks in more profound life events...it blunts issues like this but I care about running. It is my constant polestar so I wont hesitate to support anyone that is part of the grand pursuit of lacing shoes to shake it out. No qualifications needed to put some thought into something that elevates us so I am forever on the SLS team eager to hear or read on this subject w/o reservation. True, the need to be self critical and be aware of global problems is a priority, well-stated, and I am totally onboard. But your readers know the quality of your character and it is never in doubt. Best of the best. But, as I tend to bury the point more than 6 feet under, in closing, events that celebrate and unify us should inspire us to share since that is what enriches us. The reciprocal effect of it is this, it is what will sustain us in the long run...and now, Mark is out of O2....gasp! And I am not proofing this so if I hit send and I biffed on the grammar, my bad...
Loved this post. I ran a looping 100 this year as it was “convenient” after a “adventurous” mountain 100 DNF. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the loops. Like you mentioned the different times of day spiced it up and in the end I still ran into bears, felt challenged and had hallucinations which kept it interesting.
Next up for me is a non UTMB race in Europe which uses ITRA points, a system that UTMB ditched. I am fortunate as the UTMB CCC that I ran in 2020 was the last year before the Ironman conglomerate took over. There are plenty of beautiful alternate mountain races in Europe and the rest of the world.
When I first started running ultras, I couldn't envision running a loop course. Maybe because all the marathons I'd done were point to point. And you don't really know how a loop can vary unless you do it. Now I like both point to point and loopies. Loops for many of the reasons you mention. One of my most satisfying races was a 50K, 4 loop course and hitting those splits so evenly was fun. I've done a fair number of loop 100's and since I do many of them unsupported, there is an advantage logistically to being able to stage your stuff in one spot. I think it can be a bit tougher to push yourself out if it's getting rough, so there is always that temptation with a loop course. The logistics of dropping are easier :-) So the mental game can be harder.
I don't have any interest in UTMB. I know some of the RD's of the local ultras I run are concerned. It bugs me that NDA's (with WS and others) are involved because it seems "transparency" is often the flag that's flown in this sport. Perhaps there are legit reasons for them? Thank you for outlining the issues.
Transparency in the Ironman/Western States relationship would be welcomed by all but that is likely off the table. All parties signed NDAs when beginning discussions with Ironman, correct? Gary and other RDs have mentioned as much in their experiences.
We're still a year away from 990 giving a more relevant peak but the choice in golden ticket races seems to be foreshadowing.
Ultimately, the stones system creates the biggest drain on the community. That funnel of exclusivity is truly divisive. Runners are either "UTMB runners" or not and most people don't have the resources to cross between.
I wonder if contracts like Jim's already have races outlined as providing bonuses. I would presume conditions like "American record at ___, podium finish at ___" may exist. Could they leave the UTMB system without taking a pay cut? A strava activity title is a distant whisper to the shout of a real sacrifice.
Another great post Sarah! I am a BIG fan of loop races and my friends are always asking those same questions! So many people just don't get it! I will share your post as you explained it so well. Maybe I am a little biased because my first ever ultra was a 6 hour, 4 mile loop course and I got my 32 miles there :) I even wrote a blog post about it. (Well, actually my first ultra was when I took a wrong turn at mile 25 of a trail marathon and ended up with 27 miles... hahaha!)
Like you I also don't care for the backyard ultra. I have done two of them. One traditional style and the other was virtual during the summer of 2020. The time pressure is too much. I'd prefer to stop and start, walk and eat when I want. Watching Harvey Lewis is so inspiring and amazing to watch, especially after knowing what that pressure is like.
I also like to do loop runs for my long runs as I can set up my own aid station and friends can join for a lap or more if they like. We have a really sweet race here in Vermont (and the race director is an amazing lady!!!) that started as a 6 hour (2 mile loop) and this year added the 12 hour. I jumped up to 12 this year after doing the 6 previously and had twice the fun!
Been actually looking at loop courses for the 100 miles distance as I think it could really be a good one for me. Well, after I get that Vermont 100 buckle that is.......
I’ve had no interest in running anything taken over by UTMB after I heard how poorly back of the packers were treated at Canyons. I.e., that little to no aid was left for them. I had the same feeling about Ironman branded triathlons back when I briefly did them. I think you have a great response to the whole “runners can do both kinds of events” argument: there are only so many events a person can run in a year, and if runners have a frantic need to collect UTMB stones or whatever, entries into other races are going to suffer.
Btw, the same problem has been occurring for a long time now with regard to Western States qualifiers. The switch to 100k qualifiers has killed the 50-mile distance at several events, and races that aren’t on the qualifying list seem to struggle to field as many runners as they used to. I’ve never liked the whiff of exclusivity created by the whole list thing anyway, though I recognize they have to cull the field somehow. But the positive in all this for me, someone who has no interest in running WS again and also dislikes crowded races, is that I can choose smaller events and enjoy some solo trail time.
For fun runs on the same loop, I love the Brazen Racing New Years Eve & New Years Day Half Marathons at Lake Chabot. It's a great course, & a super fun atmosphere. The medals are one-of-a-kind! The year I did them, the New Years Eve medal was the back end of a horse(the "end" of the year), the New Years Day was the front end of a horse, & for doing both you got another medal that connected the 2(like a puzzle), & it was wings. Put them together for a huge flying horse medal-some serious bling! Lol And they mention you can tell your friends that it took you 2 years to complete a Marathon-Haha! I love the trails around Lake Chabot, & ended up finishing faster on New years day!!
Great post Sarah. Keep fighting the UTMB power! I hated to see Grindstone become what it has. If you are ever in North Carolina on the 1st weekend in November, the Tideland 24 offers a beautiful, incredibly well supported 1.3 mile loop through the coastal marshlands. https://www.tideland24.com/
What all the "commentators" appear to miss when trying to fan the flames over UTMB is that dedicated grass roots runners don't only run UTMB races, they also run a variety of non UTMB races.
Why do those who are out to monetize the sport in any form feel the need to tell true amateurs how and where they should run?
So, as an ambassador for a company that makes lights, belts, and vests I will share this...last week someone w/in our nonpublic FB group (who was less familiar with ultra distances on trails) coincidentally found the new UT Whistler race and wanted feedback regarding it as a introductory race for his indoctrination into the sport. He must have felt like Icarus getting too close to the sun. Those of us in the know were eager to be supportive and helpful to encourage his interest in ultras, but we shared with robust assuredness , this destination race was not the way to go! And though it was not contentious, I think he got the message as he was looking at alternatives. Enough on that...but... people looking at this sport right now, without any background need some mentorship to navigate some of this. I say this not to be pedantic, but more to underscore why the fate of the sport requires some forbearance and open dialog to shed light on why UTMB should be put on notice. It is a watershed moment. Sara, as always, you are deftly sharing asides that are helpful and keen. It is aided by opinions (that we all have, and should share dispassionately) that come from personal and professional sensibilities. Much like Megan Hicks has reported on IRUNFAR.
Anyway, openly sharing on the processes, ethics,, etc, on the overtures UTMB and Vail collaborated on are worthy of some ink. Firstly, most opinions I have encountered have been disciplined. From my campfire, what I see, are people that care deeply about the sport, its future, and are attempting to find clarity to sustain growth. Most place a priority to do as much as we can to not compromise RDs organizing small venues at a grass root levels and bandwagon that same amt. of support for larger scale entities like J Coury's events that (now are bi-coastal) have more media rich coverage. Even when you take in account a bias most of us have to a well-known and highly regarded source like Gary Robbins (I just know him from Barkley and a few on air interviews w/Ginger Runner a while back) the discussion is not malice based. It is warranted though and it is in response to the disproportioned resources Ironman can bring to bear. It is a meta-view on issues that are critical. Like everyone that pricked up their ears once this story dropped, I wanted to get some balanced reporting first on the Whistler fallout, esp. since I see growth as good. I know how sponsorships help the athletes I like to follow (and elites that are my friends are part of my bias, frankly). I am on the side of boycotting UTMB all said, but that is fluid and not deeply embedded...there are opportunities for this to be a teachable moment to reform what is going on and speak out in the interim to get the rudder re-set ultimately. Until then, UTMB is a pariah and fair game to get shunned. It would be unprecedented for major players and businesses to get involved though. I dont think the elites have much they can do, it's a thin sampling of folks. Consumers have more power to post up and defend the opposition. And that starts with letting the companies that profit from it know. The races are easy to find, as are open trails any day of the week, so that is a bit of a diluted impact. That said, and let's be honest, if you have a pair of Hokas, Altra, or Salomons in your closet (or whatever floats your boat) and profit from advancements in the quality of the product well, that is a matter of health and safety. Real difficult "ask" to put some pressure and impact on an industry that depends on volume of sales keep running on them to gain traction on this UTMB issue. And trail running is a niche, so it is a quandary concurrent to a tenuous juggling act (esp. post pandemic) to keep legacy races intact and sustain them. Yikes.
It complicates the goal I hear most speaking out on, espousing and searching out a way forward to bring people together. And doing so locally and at destination events that build a consensus where ultra and subultra trail running is your why! So important and empowering. It binds us. But it will take time and some tone deaf events like Whistler to fix our sights on long term growth hopefully not at the expense of more RDs like Gary. This is too long winded...sorry. I have a lot on my mind outside of this too...election forecasts for next year (WTF), looking for bright spots etc. friends experiencing setbacks in more profound life events...it blunts issues like this but I care about running. It is my constant polestar so I wont hesitate to support anyone that is part of the grand pursuit of lacing shoes to shake it out. No qualifications needed to put some thought into something that elevates us so I am forever on the SLS team eager to hear or read on this subject w/o reservation. True, the need to be self critical and be aware of global problems is a priority, well-stated, and I am totally onboard. But your readers know the quality of your character and it is never in doubt. Best of the best. But, as I tend to bury the point more than 6 feet under, in closing, events that celebrate and unify us should inspire us to share since that is what enriches us. The reciprocal effect of it is this, it is what will sustain us in the long run...and now, Mark is out of O2....gasp! And I am not proofing this so if I hit send and I biffed on the grammar, my bad...
Loved this post. I ran a looping 100 this year as it was “convenient” after a “adventurous” mountain 100 DNF. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the loops. Like you mentioned the different times of day spiced it up and in the end I still ran into bears, felt challenged and had hallucinations which kept it interesting.
Next up for me is a non UTMB race in Europe which uses ITRA points, a system that UTMB ditched. I am fortunate as the UTMB CCC that I ran in 2020 was the last year before the Ironman conglomerate took over. There are plenty of beautiful alternate mountain races in Europe and the rest of the world.
When I first started running ultras, I couldn't envision running a loop course. Maybe because all the marathons I'd done were point to point. And you don't really know how a loop can vary unless you do it. Now I like both point to point and loopies. Loops for many of the reasons you mention. One of my most satisfying races was a 50K, 4 loop course and hitting those splits so evenly was fun. I've done a fair number of loop 100's and since I do many of them unsupported, there is an advantage logistically to being able to stage your stuff in one spot. I think it can be a bit tougher to push yourself out if it's getting rough, so there is always that temptation with a loop course. The logistics of dropping are easier :-) So the mental game can be harder.
I don't have any interest in UTMB. I know some of the RD's of the local ultras I run are concerned. It bugs me that NDA's (with WS and others) are involved because it seems "transparency" is often the flag that's flown in this sport. Perhaps there are legit reasons for them? Thank you for outlining the issues.
Transparency in the Ironman/Western States relationship would be welcomed by all but that is likely off the table. All parties signed NDAs when beginning discussions with Ironman, correct? Gary and other RDs have mentioned as much in their experiences.
We're still a year away from 990 giving a more relevant peak but the choice in golden ticket races seems to be foreshadowing.
Ultimately, the stones system creates the biggest drain on the community. That funnel of exclusivity is truly divisive. Runners are either "UTMB runners" or not and most people don't have the resources to cross between.
I wonder if contracts like Jim's already have races outlined as providing bonuses. I would presume conditions like "American record at ___, podium finish at ___" may exist. Could they leave the UTMB system without taking a pay cut? A strava activity title is a distant whisper to the shout of a real sacrifice.
Another great post Sarah! I am a BIG fan of loop races and my friends are always asking those same questions! So many people just don't get it! I will share your post as you explained it so well. Maybe I am a little biased because my first ever ultra was a 6 hour, 4 mile loop course and I got my 32 miles there :) I even wrote a blog post about it. (Well, actually my first ultra was when I took a wrong turn at mile 25 of a trail marathon and ended up with 27 miles... hahaha!)
Like you I also don't care for the backyard ultra. I have done two of them. One traditional style and the other was virtual during the summer of 2020. The time pressure is too much. I'd prefer to stop and start, walk and eat when I want. Watching Harvey Lewis is so inspiring and amazing to watch, especially after knowing what that pressure is like.
I also like to do loop runs for my long runs as I can set up my own aid station and friends can join for a lap or more if they like. We have a really sweet race here in Vermont (and the race director is an amazing lady!!!) that started as a 6 hour (2 mile loop) and this year added the 12 hour. I jumped up to 12 this year after doing the 6 previously and had twice the fun!
Been actually looking at loop courses for the 100 miles distance as I think it could really be a good one for me. Well, after I get that Vermont 100 buckle that is.......
Great post. Too bad about UTMB, I had no idea. I love the idea of noticing something new on each lap, I’m totally going to use that.
Quad Dipsea? Respect!
I’ve had no interest in running anything taken over by UTMB after I heard how poorly back of the packers were treated at Canyons. I.e., that little to no aid was left for them. I had the same feeling about Ironman branded triathlons back when I briefly did them. I think you have a great response to the whole “runners can do both kinds of events” argument: there are only so many events a person can run in a year, and if runners have a frantic need to collect UTMB stones or whatever, entries into other races are going to suffer.
Btw, the same problem has been occurring for a long time now with regard to Western States qualifiers. The switch to 100k qualifiers has killed the 50-mile distance at several events, and races that aren’t on the qualifying list seem to struggle to field as many runners as they used to. I’ve never liked the whiff of exclusivity created by the whole list thing anyway, though I recognize they have to cull the field somehow. But the positive in all this for me, someone who has no interest in running WS again and also dislikes crowded races, is that I can choose smaller events and enjoy some solo trail time.
For fun runs on the same loop, I love the Brazen Racing New Years Eve & New Years Day Half Marathons at Lake Chabot. It's a great course, & a super fun atmosphere. The medals are one-of-a-kind! The year I did them, the New Years Eve medal was the back end of a horse(the "end" of the year), the New Years Day was the front end of a horse, & for doing both you got another medal that connected the 2(like a puzzle), & it was wings. Put them together for a huge flying horse medal-some serious bling! Lol And they mention you can tell your friends that it took you 2 years to complete a Marathon-Haha! I love the trails around Lake Chabot, & ended up finishing faster on New years day!!
Great post Sarah. Keep fighting the UTMB power! I hated to see Grindstone become what it has. If you are ever in North Carolina on the 1st weekend in November, the Tideland 24 offers a beautiful, incredibly well supported 1.3 mile loop through the coastal marshlands. https://www.tideland24.com/
Wow, thank you for all that! I particularly like your point about how this can be a teachable moment. I really appreciate you reading the newsletter.
What all the "commentators" appear to miss when trying to fan the flames over UTMB is that dedicated grass roots runners don't only run UTMB races, they also run a variety of non UTMB races.
Why do those who are out to monetize the sport in any form feel the need to tell true amateurs how and where they should run?