Articles

April 30, 2025

Diversifying the Trails: A Conversation with Mirna Valerio

irunfar.com

article April 30, 2025

Diversifying the Trails: A Conversation with Mirna Valerio

Meet Mirna Valerio, aka the Mirnavator, a trailblazing ultrarunner and DEI activist breaking barriers in the sport. From challenging stigmas around body size to leading inclusive retreats, her journey highlights the importance of diversity, resilience, and community. Her story inspires runners to embrace authenticity and pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.

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April 30, 2025

Nutrition 101, Part Two: Putting Good Nutrition into Practice

uphillathlete.com

article April 30, 2025

Nutrition 101, Part Two: Putting Good Nutrition into Practice

This in-depth article offers practical advice on applying core nutrition principles for trail and ultra runners. It explains the Athlete's Nutrition Pyramid, emphasizing the importance of adequate energy intake, nutrient timing, meal composition, and smart supplement use. Learn how to fuel effectively before, during, and after runs to enhance performance and recovery, while prioritizing fundamentals over quick fixes. Discover tips on hydration, avoiding common mistakes, and listening to your body's needs for optimal training results.

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April 25, 2025

Women’s Endurance: Closing the Gap in Ultra Races

trailrunmag.com

article April 25, 2025

Women’s Endurance: Closing the Gap in Ultra Races

In ultra races, the performance gap between men and women is shrinking. This article explores how women's physiology, mental endurance, and rising participation are helping close the gap. Key strengths like fat metabolism, slow-twitch muscle fibers, and resilience are driving the shift. With growing representation and standout athletes leading the way, the future of ultra running looks different — and more equal.

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April 25, 2025

Race Yourself Fit: Tips from Top Runners at the 2025 Lake Sonoma 50 Mile

irunfar.com

article April 25, 2025

Race Yourself Fit: Tips from Top Runners at the 2025 Lake Sonoma 50 Mile

Top competitors from the 2025 Lake Sonoma 50 Mile share how using races as key workouts sharpens both fitness and mental toughness. Learn how elite runners like Anthony Costales, Priscilla Forgie, and others strategically race themselves into peak form ahead of their biggest goals.

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April 21, 2025

Is There Risk in Trail Running?

ultrarunning.com

article April 21, 2025

Is There Risk in Trail Running?

This article explores the risks associated with trail running, drawing parallels to backcountry skiing risk assessment concepts: hazards, exposure, and vulnerability. Author Max King recounts personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of preparation, risk mitigation (such as carrying first aid kits and informing others of your plans), and learning from both personal mistakes and experienced companions. King argues that, while trail running is generally lower risk compared to some extreme outdoor sports, unforeseen accidents do occur, and understanding potential hazards and how to manage them is crucial. The article advocates for thoughtful, incremental exposure to risk, gaining experience, and continual improvement in safety practices.

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April 18, 2025

Reaching New Heights: A Conversation with Riley Brady

irunfar.com

article April 18, 2025

Reaching New Heights: A Conversation with Riley Brady

A profile of Riley Brady, a 29-year-old non-binary ultrarunner who competes in women's races and has recently achieved significant success, winning the Javelina 100 Mile in 2024 and setting a course record at Black Canyon 100k in 2025. The article covers Brady's early years in Pennsylvania, their progression in ultrarunning since 2014, coaching relationship with David Roche, nutrition challenges, move to Boulder, Colorado, and their current focus on the 2025 Western States 100. Brady recently secured professional sponsorship with Nike after previously working as a bike mechanic and in other industries.

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April 10, 2025

Early-Range Hip Flexor Strength for Runners

irunfar.com

article April 10, 2025

Early-Range Hip Flexor Strength for Runners

Physiotherapist Joe Uhan explains the importance of strengthening hip flexors in their early range of motion for runners. The article details how strong hip flexors in the lengthened position (when the leg is extended behind) improve stride efficiency by enhancing cadence, optimizing opposite leg glute push-off, and creating more efficient foot strikes. Two specific exercises are recommended: the Kettlebell Hip Flexion performed while lying on a high surface, and the Cable Hip Flexion performed in a standing position that mimics the running posture.

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April 8, 2025

Chongli (China) to host historic 2025 World Mountain Running World Cup Race

trailrunner.com

article April 8, 2025

Chongli (China) to host historic 2025 World Mountain Running World Cup Race

Chongli, China will make history by hosting the country's first-ever WMRA World Cup race at Yunding ski resort in 2025. This event is part of the 2025 World Mountain Running World Cup featuring nine events across eight countries and three continents. Since 2017, trail running has grown exponentially in China, with Chongli emerging as the country's premier destination for the sport. The 2025 World Cup season includes increased prize money of €5,000 for champions and enhanced anti-doping measures.

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April 8, 2025

Mick Sullivan's UTMB Journey: Conquering the 2024 Ultra-Trail

trailrunmag.com

article April 8, 2025

Mick Sullivan's UTMB Journey: Conquering the 2024 Ultra-Trail

Australian runner Mick Sullivan shares his experience completing the 2024 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), a grueling 176.40km race with 9,915m of vertical elevation. After four lottery attempts and two previous TDS attempts, Sullivan finally achieved his goal, finishing in 39 hours 40 minutes and winning his age class (M65-69). The article details his journey through France, Italy, and Switzerland, describing the spectacular alpine scenery, nutrition strategy, and challenges faced during the two-night race.

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April 8, 2025

Review: Suunto Wing Headphones

ultrarunning.com

article April 8, 2025

Review: Suunto Wing Headphones

A detailed review of the Suunto Wing bone conduction headphones, which are designed for runners. The review highlights their comfortable fit, excellent sound quality, long battery life (up to 10 hours), and integration with the Suunto app. The reviewer found them to outperform other bone conduction headphones in terms of audio quality while maintaining situational awareness during runs. Priced at $199, they are positioned as a premium option in the market.

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April 8, 2025

Are Trail Runners Getting Faster?

irunfar.com

article April 8, 2025

Are Trail Runners Getting Faster?

This article examines the trend of increasing speed in trail running, particularly at competitive ultramarathons. Data shows course records falling across races like Hardrock 100, Leadville 100 Mile, and Black Canyon 100k. The analysis reveals that top performances are steadily improving and competitive fields are condensing, with the gap between first and 25th place shrinking significantly. Potential factors driving this speed increase include better technology (carbon-plated shoes), improved fueling strategies, advanced training theory, and increased competition. UTMB Index scores show the competitive field has strengthened considerably between 2022 and 2025.

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April 2, 2025

How to Train Smarter for Trail and Ultra Races

trailrunmag.com

article April 2, 2025

How to Train Smarter for Trail and Ultra Races

This article provides comprehensive training advice for trail and ultra runners. It covers seven key areas: consistency as the foundation of training, long runs for building endurance, speed and hill work for efficiency and strength, race-specific training (including vertical, heat, stairs, altitude, technical trails, gear, and hiking), nutrition strategies, and mental preparation. The author, Ash Daniels, shares personal experience of improving performance through proper training, resulting in a 5-hour personal best.

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