EP 775: I Spent $4,500 on One Race

EP 775: I Spent $4,500 on One Race

From Trail Runner Nation by Trail Runner Nation

April 3, 2026 · 1h 3m · Episode 775

About this episode

Colleen Miracle discusses the hidden costs of running an ultra and the value of the experience over expenses.

What are some of the real costs of running an ultra? In this episode, ultra runner and coach Colleen Miracle talks about this, and it turns out the race entry is just the first pebble in the avalanche. We discuss the hidden expenses that pile up around an A-race: travel, nutrition, coaching, shoes, gear, hotels, rental cars, and the tiny financial gremlins that quietly multiply in the dark corners of race prep. Colleen shares that one of her hundred-mile races carried a $4,500 receipt, but she emphasizes that ultras can also be done on a shoestring with borrowed gear, local races, and simple nutrition. We wrestle with whether modern technology and gear have improved the sport or turned it into a glittering outdoor equipment bazaar with carbon-plated everything and hydration packs that resemble small spacecraft. Along the way, we celebrate community-driven "fat ass" races, the value of supporting race directors and small local events, and the idea that the memories, friendships, and growth from an ultra often outlast whatever else you could have bought with the money. In the end, the episode asks a bigger question: Is running expensive, or is it one of the best investments we make…

People in this episode

Host: Trail Runner Nation

Guest: Colleen Miracle

Topics covered

  • ultra running
  • race costs
  • community races
  • running gear
  • financial investment in running

Keywords

  • ultra running
  • race entry costs
  • running gear
  • community races
  • financial investment

Sponsors

Tifosi Optics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ultrarunning Magazine, Boundless Coaching

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