The Ultra Minute 🏔️ January 10, 2025
Michelino Sunseri petition gains traction, the latest in sponsorship news, Puppi shares more on his Nike exit, Des continues to tease us, and more
As I publish this week’s issue, it feels strange to focus on the relatively trivial world of trail and ultra news when so many are grappling with the devastation of the wildfires around Los Angeles. Among those impacted are ultrarunners Sawna and Eamon, who lost their Altadena home (Hilary Yang has graciously started a GoFundMe here), and Sarah Lavender Smith’s in-laws, whose Pacific Palisades home is gone. These are just a couple of folks in our community I’m aware of, but there are likely countless more affected. My thoughts are with everyone impacted, and I hope our community can rally together to support those in need 🫶🏼
Petition and Open Letter Call for Charges Against Michelino Sunseri to Be Dropped
Filmmaker Alex Rienzie has launched a petition and penned an open letter urging the National Park Service (NPS) to drop federal charges against professional mountain runner Michelino Sunseri. The charges stem from Sunseri’s use of the old climber’s trail during his Grand Teton FKT attempt last fall—a route historically used by six of the seven previous record holders. Rienzie points to unclear signage and inconsistent enforcement, arguing that it was not evident the trail was officially closed until the charges were filed.
Rienzie highlights how the consequences for Sunseri could be life-altering: a five-year ban from Grand Teton National Park would effectively force him to leave the area where he lives, trains, and works as a bartender and mountain athlete. Sunseri, who has until now been publicly silent on the issue, recently shared his side of the story on Instagram, calling attention to what he describes as inadequate signage marking the trail and voicing frustration, saying the NPS hasn’t taken action to properly close or restore it over the 12 years since Kilian Jornet used the trail in his 2012 FKT attempt.
The petition, which has gained over 962 signatures at time of writing, calls for a civil resolution, such as volunteer work to help close the trail. Rienzie’s letter emphasizes this approach as a more constructive and fair resolution. Read Rienzie’s open letter here and the petition here.
Sponsorship News
As I’ve only been writing this newsletter for six months, this is my first time closely tracking sponsorships in trail and ultra running. I’m finding it surprisingly fascinating—like the “silly season” in Formula One, where new contracts dominate the headlines. While it’s a challenge to keep up with everything, I’m enjoying the process and hope y’all find it useful. If I missed something notable here, please feel free to let me know in the comments.
Allie Ostrander announced that she signed with Oiselle, citing the brand’s support for her versatility across track, trails, roads, and cross country. The move follows her departure from NNormal, which she credited in a separate Instagram post for helping her rediscover her passion for trail running.
Allison Baca announced on Instagram that she’s joining HOKA as a professional trail runner, balancing racing, parenthood, and adventure-filled training.
Andy Wacker ends his tenure with Salomon after four years, hinting at new beginnings with Arcteryx in his Instagram story (though I may be reading too much into the photo he posted of Arcteryx shoes along with the caption “Trying out some new kicks”).
Last week, we shared Francesco Puppi’s announcement that he had parted ways with Nike after five years, citing a divergence in vision for the sport. This week, Puppi offered further context, expressing discomfort with a Nike ad aired during the Paris Olympics. Puppi’s perspective of the ad, titled Winning Isn’t for Everyone, was that it links success with traits like obsession and selfishness. In an Instagram post, Puppi wrote, “Winning doesn’t require sacrificing humanity and kindness. I stand for the culture of joy, respect for one another, and for ourselves. If you ask me, I will tell you: winning is for everyone,” emphasizing his commitment to promoting values of respect and empathy in sports.
Matt Daniels has signed with Hyperlyte Liquid Performance, marking a new chapter with the Texas-based nutrition brand. While nutrition sponsorships often play a secondary role to primary shoe contracts, this partnership seems significant for Daniels. He joins Hyperlyte’s growing elite team, which also includes Hans Troyer, Ryan Raff, and Abigail West. The Arlington, Texas native and former Nike athlete shared his vision for a deeper kind of sponsorship in a heartfelt blog post early last year:
“I am not merely seeking a sponsorship; I am searching for a partnership that goes beyond the races I run, a collaboration that values authenticity, passion, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence.”
Given Daniels’ emphasis on authenticity and community, it suggests he found a meaningful alignment here. This partnership will be one to watch as both Daniels and the brand continue to grow in the sport.Mike McMonagle (@shitinthewoods), Leah Yingling’s husband and well-known trail photographer, announced a renewed “sponsorship” with Yingling, citing “a best-in-class incentive structure and travel stipend.”
Special offer from Hyperlyte
I first heard about Hyperlyte Liquid Performance a couple months ago when they signed Hans Troyer, who’s been described by David Roche as “the next Jim.” Their recent signings of Matt Daniels and Abigail West convinced me to place an order (with my own cash) to try their product out, and as I was writing this issue, I decided to reach out to see if they’d offer a discount for readers of The Ultra Minute. Turns out, they were game! Here it is:
Hyperlyte is offering an exclusive 15% discount for readers of The Ultra Minute. Use code TUM15 at checkout.
Full disclosure: I haven’t tried the product yet (my order arrives Monday) and I’ll earn a small commission, so your purchase will directly support this newsletter.
Other News & Links
EXPLORE Act Signed Into Law – Following up on last week’s news, the EXPLORE Act is now law. Signed by President Biden over the weekend, it includes the SOAR Act (Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation), which race directors may find particularly relevant. We chatted with Jeremy Long, owner and RD of Daybreak Racing, to get his initial impression. He highlighted how it compares to the current system:
“The existing permitting process varies between federal agencies, is overly complex, and often time-insensitive, making it difficult for race directors to plan efficiently. The SOAR Act aims to streamline these processes, simplify fee structures, and improve permit administration, potentially lowering costs and reducing red tape for event organizers.”
Advocacy from groups like Outdoor Alliance was key. Review the full text of the bill here.UROY Begins and TROY Continues – As someone who’s followed the sport for years but is writing about these rankings closely for the first time, it stands out to me that two GOATs, Jim Walmsley and Kilian Jornet, are ranked relatively low this year (Jim at #7 UROY, #8 TROY and Kilian #5 TROY,). Jim only finished one ultra, but it was the most important race in North America—Western States—which he won. I’d have expected that to carry more weight, but it seems volume of finishes matters more. Liam Tryon, in his UROY predictions, placed Jim at #2 and articulated well why he knew that would be controversially high. Similarly, Kilian had just two trail race finishes this year, but they were wins at Zegama and Sierre-Zinal, two of the sport’s most competitive sub-ultra races. Like UROY, TROY appears to favor volume. Freetrail is set to roll out their #1 picks for TROY today (I’m assuming Elhousine Elazzaoui and Katie Schide), while UltraRunning Magazine will reveal their #5 picks for UROY. Follow Freetrail and UltraRunning Magazine on Instagram to follow along.
Runspirited’s Top 25 Inspirational Ultra Runners of 2024 – Henry Howard’s annual lists celebrate runners whose impact goes beyond podiums, recognizing resilience, advocacy, and unique stories. A few names that caught our eye: Greg Bergeron, who finished Western States in the Golden Hour after being called off the waitlist just hours before the race; Gina Lucrezi, whose work with Trail Sisters continues to empower women and promote inclusivity in trail running; and Sriirachamayo, the Reddit user whose investigation into Spring Energy sparked one of the controversies of the year. Read the full lists for men here and women here.
Des Linden Drops Another Trail Teaser – For the third week running, we’re back with another Des Linden trail tease. In a recent Instagram post, Des hinted at her 2025 plans, listing “spicy trails” as the first item on her list, and bookended her carousel with photos from trail runs. To top it off, she shared the snippet we wrote about her last week on her Instagram story. We’re not saying she’s definitely racing trails this year…but we’re not not saying it either.
Joe McConaughy Reflects on 24-Hour Attempt – Following up on last week’s mention of Joe McConaughy’s ambitious goals at Across the Years, his 24-hour attempt didn’t go as planned. After starting strong and pacing for ~170 miles, McConaughy developed hip flexor issues that worsened throughout the race. He ultimately called it at 131 miles after 21 hours, falling short of both the U.S. 24-hour record and the 140-mile qualification standard for the U.S. 24-Hour Team. Joe reflected on his experience in an Instagram post.
Moab 240 Registration Now Open – Registration for the 2025 Moab 240 opened on January 4 and will remain open until January 19. Entry is determined via a lottery, with the drawing set for January 22 at 10:00 AM MT. For details, see the race website.
Volunteers Needed for HURT 100 – With just 10 days until race day, the HURT 100 in Hawaii is seeking volunteers to fill some critical spots. If you’re interested in supporting one of ultrarunning’s most iconic events, visit HURT100.com to sign up.
Leadville 100 Lottery Results Announced – The 2025 Leadville Trail 100 lottery results have been sent out and registration for all Trail Series races is now open—visit the Leadville Race Series website for details.
San Juan Solstice Registration Opens Soon – Registration for the 2025 San Juan Solstice 50 opens January 15 and runs through January 31, with lottery results announced on February 1. Visit the race website for details.
Daybreak Racing Secures 5-Year Permits – Hood Hundred, Wy’east Trailfest, Backcountry Rise, and Rogue Gorge have been awarded 5-year permits by the U.S. Forest Service. Registration is also now open for Hood Hundred and Wy’east Trailfest. Learn more at daybreakracing.com.
Podcast Highlights
On the latest Running Long podcast, Francesco Puppi catches up with Andy Wacker to discuss The Trail Team, a project Wacker founded to support and mentor rising trail runners. They explore the team’s progress, its impact on the trail running scene, and what’s next. Listen here.
On the latest Subhub Podcast, Dani Moreno and Emkay Sullivan kick off 2025 with predictions, hot takes, and wishlists for the year ahead, alongside updates on sponsorship moves and Stian Angermund’s return to racing. As someone increasingly interested in sub-ultras, I’m finding this space exciting to follow. Listen here.
On the latest Boulder Boys Show, Finn Melanson joins Matt Daniels, Seth Ruhling, and Adam Merry to kick off 2025 with a wide-ranging conversation about trail running storylines, sponsorships, and big personalities. Matt Daniels also shares insights into his Hyperlyte sponsorship, praising both the product and the people behind the brand. Listen here.
Reads of the Week
After highlighting
’s tellings of his winter 14er adventures with last week, the duo are back with fresh perspectives on their second attempt at La Plata Peak where they faced brutal cold, fading daylight, and emotional highs and lows. In The Mountain’s Icy Siren Call, Candice delivers a gripping account of the physical and emotional challenges they encountered. Reflecting on her drive to keep pushing despite self-doubt, she writes:
“If there’s something for you to know about me, it’s that I hate showing any weakness, whether it be emotionally or physically. It’s been challenging for me to be vulnerable in both these ways, but my obsession with pushing my limits means finding that line of failure.”
That line was nearly crossed as Candice recounts the terrifying moment she noticed her fingers turning black in the sub-zero conditions, forcing her and Adam to move quickly to escape the mountain’s grasp.
Meanwhile, Adam’s Redemption on La Plata Peak complements Candice’s perspective with logistical insights and heartfelt moments, capturing the raw intensity of the experience. Reflecting on the day, Adam writes, “I felt like I had lived a year in a day.”After catching your breath from Adam and Candice’s adventure,
’s Beyond the Trails: Finn and Jules offers a glimpse into the shared friendship he and his wife, Morgan, have with Finn Melanson and Jules Campanelli. Finn, the founder and host of the Singletrack podcast, and Jules, a leader in the Women of the Wasatch running group, are trail community fixtures. Caleb’s post peels back the curtain, revealing the personal side of two people often seen through their public-facing roles. For fans of Singletrack or anyone curious about the personalities behind the voices, this is a delightful, personal read.
That’s all for this week! If you enjoyed this issue, consider forwarding it to a friend who might enjoy it too, and encourage them to subscribe here. ✌🏼
And if you’re interested in trying Hyperlyte Liquid Performance, use code TUM15 for 15% off your order. It’s a great way to try them out and support this newsletter at the same time—thank you!
See y’all on the trail,
– Ken
Good one, Ken… Thanks for the work you do. I had no idea about the Mike Sunseri charges. Petition signed!
The punishment for Sunseri being talked about is ridiculous and excessive, but I'd be much more inclined to take his side if he and Rienzie showed any remorse or humility whatsoever. Several people have gone on the record saying they told Sunseri not to take the closed trail, and I've seen the signage and it sure looks clearly and legally closed to me. Their attitude seems to be that Sunseri should be allowed to do whatever he wants because he's fast.