Ultra Uncovered

What does it actually take behind the scenes to crew a Cocodona 250 course record performance?In this Fire Road episode of Ultra Uncovered, we sit down with Jake Vale, longtime best friend and crew chief for Rachel Entrekin, to hear the story behind one of the most impressive performances in ultrarunning this year. From how they first met after BOTH DNF’ing the same 100 miler, to the years of adventures, training camps, chaos, and trust that led to Cocodona, this episode dives deep into the human side of the sport.We talk:• Crew chief life at Cocodona• Surf culture vs trail running culture• Recognizing greatness before the rest of the world sees it• The emotional reality of supporting someone through 250 miles• Friendship, loyalty, and showing up for people you believe inA really special conversation and perspective we don’t often get to hear. Thanks to Jake for coming on!

Day 2 brought major movement, with both leaderboards still wide open.On the men’s side, Jeff Garmire made a huge climb into contention, while attrition hit key names like Adam Kimball. Joe McConaughey’s bold sleep strategy is starting to pay off, and Zach Hauer continues to look steady and strong.On the women’s side, Rachel Entrekin leads by over 10 miles after a blistering first 100 miles, but fatigue is creeping in. Courtney Dauwalter and Heather Jackson remain within striking distance.Injuries and DNFs are shaping the race, and sleep strategy is emerging as a key variable. With cold overnight conditions ahead, a shakeup feels inevitable.Bottom line: The race is far from decided—expect big moves overnight.

Dona' Daily is here! Your hosts of Ultra Uncovered, Corinne Shalvoy and Russell Ditsworth are joined by Graham Shalvoy to bring you day Zero of our Cocodona 250 recap and insights. On the eve of this 2026 edition of the famous race from Phoenix to Flagstaff, we bring you updates from the ground where Corinne co-hosted the official Mountain Outpost preview show at Deep Canyon Ranch. "Graham Graham, the Weather Man" brings his analysis of the most recent forecast models and how it might impact racers on the first few days and nights. And Russell rants about Power Rankings and Fantasy Selections as we all pick names and places first through fifth for men and women. All prognostications guaranteed to be wrong, but if we hit one - we'll be sure to let you know we told ya so! :)Happy Cocodona Week to all who celebrate, like Rachel Entrekin says "it feels like Christmas". We hope you join in as we bring you your "Dona Daily"!Follow all week long on the Mountain Outpost Livestream!

In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, Corinne Shalvoy and Russell Ditsworth sit down with Zach Hauer, co-founder of Open Fuel North America, to uncover the origin story, philosophy, and future of one of trail running’s most intriguing emerging nutrition brands.Zach shares how a chance discovery at a bakery in Cape Town during a trip for Ultra Trail Cape Town sparked his connection to Open Fuel. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a partnership with founder Andrew, leading Zach to leave his day job and fully commit to building the brand alongside his own pursuits as a competitive ultrarunner.The conversation dives into what sets Open Fuel apart in a crowded sports nutrition market, including a focus on sustainability, reduced waste, and thoughtful formulation. From their innovative funnel scoop to their DIY gel mix, the brand is challenging conventional norms around fueling while prioritizing both performance and environmental impact.Zach also breaks down the science and intention behind their products, including carb-to-sodium ratios, ingredient sourcing, and gut-friendly formulation, while highlighting the importance of balancing performance needs with responsible business practices.Beyond the product, the episode explores broader themes in trail running, including the rise of professionalism in the sport, the tension between growth and consumerism, and the power of community-driven brands. Zach shares his perspective as both an athlete and founder, including his recent success at Big Alta 100K and upcoming goals at Cocodona 250.The episode wraps with insights into Open Fuel’s future, including expansion into retail, new product development, athlete team growth, and a long-term vision of eliminating plastic packaging entirely.A thoughtful, candid conversation about building a brand with purpose in a rapidly evolving sport.Check out Open Fuel & let them know you heard about it here!

In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, Corinne and Russell sit down with two of the founders of Death March Running Company, Taylor Horowitz and Kody Riley, to unpack the story behind one of trail running’s most creative and fast-rising brands.Born out of shared suffering deep into ultra races, Death March started as a long-running idea between friends and came to life mid-race at High Lonesome. What began as a passion project focused on irreverent, relatable graphics has quickly grown into a recognizable brand rooted in authenticity, humor, and the realities of ultra running.Taylor and Kody share how their complementary strengths, creative chaos balanced with thoughtful execution, have shaped the brand’s rapid growth, all while juggling full-time jobs and late-night order fulfillment. They dive into how most of their ideas come straight from the trail, capturing the universal experiences of runners, from “blister sisters” to porta-potty emergencies.The conversation explores:How Death March built momentum organically through authenticity and communityThe role of storytelling, humor, and shared experience in their designsTheir approach to athlete teams, emphasizing community builders over performance statsPartnerships with races like High Lonesome and unique activations like the Western States beer mileThe balance between keeping things fun versus scaling into something bigger.They also reflect on the evolving landscape of trail running, their desire to preserve the sport’s “dirtbag ethos,” and the importance of inclusivity, highlighted by their majority-female athlete team and intentional community focus.At its core, Death March Running Company is less about apparel and more about celebrating the weird, gritty, and deeply human side of ultra running, by people who are living it themselves. Shop DMRCSee Corinne's Carnage Trail Kids Trading CardIf you're enjoying the show, leave us a review and tell a friend!

Our mini series on trailblazing brands continues.In this insightful interview, Alex King, founder of Terignota, shares his journey of creating accessible, high-performance trail running apparel, his views on the sport's commercialization, and his philosophy of adding value to the community. Discover his sourcing strategies, product design insights, and vision for the future of trail running gear.Check out TerignotaIf you are enjoying out content, please consider leaving us a rating and review! Thanks, Corinne & Russell

Discover the inspiring story behind Hyperlyte Liquid Performance, a brand revolutionizing trail and ultra running in the performance nutrition space.From innovative product formulations to community-driven marketing, learn how entrepreneurs Emory Atterberry and Jeremy Bohnett are shaping the future of the sport.Main Topics:The evolution and current state of trail and ultra runningThe unique formulation and brand philosophy at HyperlyteBuilding an authentic brand rooted in community and storytellingThe importance of supporting emerging and 'underdog' athletes Balancing business growth with sustainability and ethos in sportServicing the elite ultra runner, the back of the pack and everything in betweenVisit Hyperlyte

The SJS 50 is a Colorado San Juan Classic. Once called the Lake City 50, This majestic, high alpine loop and the list of who's who of the sport who have run it are both equally impressive. Whether you're considering running it yourself or just want to visit this remote nook of Southwest Colorado, this one's for you!Ryan Sullivan is the self proclaimed #1 SJS 50 fan and is also extremely fast, having run the race 4x and winning twice with a course PR of 8hrs 12min. Hear first hand what it takes to traverse 12k ft and spend hours about 12,500ft elevation to win this CO mid summer staple. Need to load up on some carbs ahead of the racing season, check out Fuel Goods and use CS20 for 20 percent off!

In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, Corinne Shalvoy and Russell Ditsworth recap their time at the Black Canyon Ultras, reflecting on the scale of the event, the competitive energy across both the 100K and 50K fields, and the performances that stood out. The hosts share observations on standout athletes, shifting race dynamics, and the excitement of watching emerging names make their mark.Alongside race analysis, they reflect on their own experiences navigating the course, including the physical and mental challenges that come with racing in such a competitive environment. They discuss race-day strategy, the importance of hydration and fueling, and how mindset, adaptability, and a strong sense of purpose can shape performance over long distances.At its core, the episode is a look at what makes Black Canyon special: the community energy, the shared pursuit of big goals, and the lessons that come from pushing limits. Corinne and Russell close by reflecting on how these experiences inform their training, perspective, and motivation as they look ahead to the next start line.

Why has the Burrito League turned into a phenomenon Castle Rock Mount To Coast Affliate League updatesLocal Events coming upUpdated Prize PackagesDays you must get on segmentDetails to qualify for raffles& More!⁠⁠Burrito League Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Corsa to qualify for Segment Stampede⁠⁠ and do the below:•⁠ ⁠Create Account •⁠ ⁠⁠WE REMOVED EMAIL VERIFICATION •⁠ ⁠⁠Find your segment on map•⁠ ⁠⁠Click on Leaderboard•⁠ ⁠⁠Click Sync Strava to Join•⁠ ⁠⁠Login to Strava for authorization •⁠ ⁠⁠EnjoyThank you! RNK Running, Mount to Coast, Aravaipa Colorado, Death March Running Company, Janji, Women Can., Strides Staffing, Never Second!

In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, Corinne, Russell, and Graham discuss the Men's North American Ultra Runner of the Year (UROY) candidates for 2025, reflecting on recent race results, notable performances, and potential candidates for the top honors. We share our top 3 picks for 2025 as well as who we are most excited to follow in 2026 on the men's side.There is banter and tangents but all in all, this is your introduction to the Men to watch and follow in Ultrarunning right now. Our goal is to make you fans!

On this episode, Russell Ditsworth and co-host Corinne Shalvoy dive into the Desert Solstice Invitational, Aravaipa Running’s invite-only track ultra designed for records and national-team qualifiers. They break down why this meet exists, how athletes get in, and what makes a 400-meter loop the fastest laboratory in ultrarunning. You’ll hear how 24-hour and 100-mile efforts work on the track, the A/B standards for entry, and the staggering benchmarks set in recent years, including world-class 24-hour totals and the current 100-mile mark. Russell and Corinne unpack pacing, direction changes every four hours, lane etiquette, shoe rules, and why fueling can make or break an elite attempt. They also speculate on who could thrive at Desert Solstice this December, what trail stars might do on a track, and how high-carb strategies could push records lower. If you’re eyeing a timed event to practice night running, refine nutrition, or chase a standard, this episode gives you the playbook, and a few bold predictions.