HPRS Podcast – Episode 80: 2026 State of the Sport Address

About this episode

In this episode, John LaCroix delivers a data-backed address on the current state of ultrarunning, discussing key issues and trends in the sport.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. Episode 80 is Part 3 of a 3 part series on The State of Ultrarunning. In the conclusion of this three-part series, HPRS owner and race director John LaCroix delivers his most raw and data-backed "State of the Sport Address" to date. Using 21 years of longitudinal data from Colorado and beyond, John pulls back the curtain on the "Ghost Race" phenomenon, the math of corporate greed, and the reality of the permit ceiling facing federal land use. This episode features an opening reflection by Dr. Jacob Ambrose on the "AuDHD" (Autism & ADHD) experience—prioritizing truth over simplicity—which sets the stage for a discussion on why the sport is entering a critical "Stewardship Era." Key Topics Covered: The 100-Mile Bubble: Why race counts are up 27% while finishes have stagnated. Extraction vs. Stewardship: The rise of corporate "Ironmanization" and predatory race scheduling. The Math of Entry Fees: A forensic look at why $500 entries are becoming the norm (and why it's not just inflation). The Cultural Shift: Moving from a "frat house" atmosphere of mockery back to a "sanctuary" of belonging. HPRS Updates: Why John is…

People in this episode

Host: John LaCroix

Guest: Dr. Jacob Ambrose

Topics covered

• State of Ultrarunning
• Ghost Race phenomenon
• corporate greed
• permit ceiling
• Stewardship Era
• race counts
• community engagement

Keywords

• ultrarunning
• race counts
• entry fees
• corporate Ironmanization
• community fund
• stewardship
• cultural shift

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Human Potential Running Series

More episodes of The Human Potential Running Series Podcast

• HPRS Podcast – Episode 81: The Ai Race Director · June 3, 2026 · 2h 27m
• HPRS Podcast – Episode 79: The State of the Sport, Part 2 - Gray Areas, Risk Management, and the Tragedy of the Commons · March 6, 2026 · 2h 20m
• HPRS Podcast – Episode 78: The State of the Sport, Part 1 - Influencers, Elitism, and Trail Ethics · February 27, 2026 · 2h 1m
• HPRS Podcast – Episode 77: Full Circle in the Franklin Mountains · January 29, 2026 · 1h 51m
• HPRS Podcast - Episode 76: Izzy Davis, On Grief and Gratitude · January 18, 2026 · 1h 29m
• HPRS Podcast – Episode 75: Camille Herron, The Truth · December 4, 2025 · 3h 22m