The Ultra Minute 🏔️ January 2, 2025
Sierra DeGroff shines at Across the Years, Tara Dower eyes the Long Trail and WSER, Kilian Jornet reflects on 2024’s top athletes, FKT and TROY countdowns heat up, and more
Sierra DeGroff Wins Mount to Coast 100k at Across the Years
Sierra DeGroff, Mount to Coast athlete and Aravaipa Racing Team member, closed out a remarkable year by winning the inaugural 100k at Across the Years in 9:06:19. The annual running festival, held on a 1.42-mile loop at Arizona’s Peoria Sports Complex, features a variety of events ranging from 6-hour to 6-day races, with distances up to 200 miles. DeGroff’s victory adds to an impressive 2024 resume that includes wins at the Salt Flats 100-Miler, Hotfoot Hamster 12-Hour, and a sub-40-hour finish at Badwater 135, along with personal bests in the marathon (2:52) and half marathon (1:21). With a coveted lottery spot for this year’s Western States in hand, we’re excited to follow Sierra in 2025.
Tim Vail also delivered a standout performance in the 200-mile race, finishing in 55:44:07 to set a new course record, breaking Remo Spagnol’s 2023 mark of 57:25:41.
More from Across the Years:
Cole Crosby Qualifies for U.S. 24-Hour Team: Crosby ran 152.1 miles, surpassing the 140-mile qualification standard and currently leads the 24-hour race. However, the competition remains open, with Joe McConaughy starting today and aiming to break the U.S. 24-hour record (173 miles).
Last Person Standing: Wesley Smith completed 153.8 miles over 36 hours and 15 minutes, edging out Nicholas Mullen.
Jeff Browning Wins Six-Hour Race: Browning covered 43.7 miles to win the six-hour event, noting on Instagram that he used it as a “flat trainer” for the upcoming Coldwater Rumble 100.
Avinoam Maier’s New 12-Hour Record: From what I can see in the live results, Maier set a course record with 77.5 miles, surpassing Mark Hammond’s 2023 record of 74.39 miles.
Rachel Entrekin’s 48-Hour Performance: Entrekin set new personal bests in the 100-mile and 24-hour distances and leads the 48-hour race.
With the 6-day, 72-hour, 48-hour, and final 24-hour races concluding tomorrow, I’ll include those final results in next week’s issue. You can follow the live results here or Aravaipa’s Instagram account, and for context, don’t miss this Instagram video where Shelby Farrell takes you on a lap around the 1.4 mile course.
News & Links
EXPLORE Act Passes Congress – The bipartisan EXPLORE Act is heading to the President’s desk, bringing measures to improve outdoor access, fund green spaces in underserved areas, and simplify permitting for guides. Advocacy from groups like Outdoor Alliance played a key role—send a thank-you to lawmakers here.
Trail Runner of the Year Countdown Begins – Freetrail has kicked off its annual Trail Runner of the Year (TROY) awards, highlighting the sport’s top performances. Coming in at #10 are Judith Wyder, recognized for her OCC silver and Marathon du Mont-Blanc win, and Vincent Bouillard, whose stunning UTMB victory as a relative unknown captivated fans. At #9, Fuzhao Xiang’s Western States runner-up finish and Ludovic Pommeret’s record-setting Hardrock 100 win earned their spots. Follow along on their blog or Instagram as they count down to #1.
Fastest Known Time’s Top FKTs of 2024 – FKT is counting down its top FKTs of the year. At #5 are Anton Krupicka (LA Freeway) and a tie between Ida-Sophie Hegemann (Dolorama) and Andrea Sansone & Andrew Hamilton (Colorado Fourteeners). At #4 is Sophie Power (Run Across Ireland) and Nick Fowler (Arizona Trail), whose self-supported record—beating the previous supported mark—sparked some debate over its ranking. The #3 FKTs are Georgia Porter (Arizona Trail) and Kyle Curtin (Colorado Trail), while Heather Anderson (Arizona Trail) and Will Peterson (Long Trail) take #2. Their #1 FKTs will be revealed tomorrow on Instagram.
Kilian Jornet Reflects on 2024’s Most Inspiring Athletes – Kilian Jornet shared a list of athletes who inspired him in 2024. Among trail runners, he praised Ludovic Pommeret for his record-setting Hardrock 100 win, Katie Schide and Elhousine Elazzaoui for their dominant seasons, and David Roche for a trail running masterclass. He also celebrated Tara Dower’s overall FKT on the Appalachian Trail. Notably, fans pointed out the absence of Jasmin Paris, who became the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathons this year.
iRunFar’s Top Trail and Ultra Moments of 2024 – iRunFar highlights 2024’s biggest moments, including Tara Dower’s Appalachian Trail FKT, Jasmin Paris’s historic Barkley finish, David Roche’s Leadville record, Katie Schide’s UTMB win, and Courtney Olsen’s 50-mile world record. Read their full list here.
Tara Dower Targets Long Trail FKT & Golden Ticket in 2025 – Tara Dower has announced plans to take on the Long Trail this summer (272 miles, 68,000 feet of gain).
What makes this especially intriguing is her intention to also chase a Golden Ticket to Western States as part of her focus on speed in 2025:
While on the Appalachian Trail I missed running quick, so that is a huge focus for the coming year. One of my massive goals in 2025 is to get faster, hoping to then get a Golden Ticket to race WSER.”
It seems like her ideal scenario might be to use WSER—and the intense training leading up to it—as the perfect build-up for her Long Trail attempt, mirroring how she used Hardrock to prepare for her AT FKT in 2024.
Hayden Hawks to Run UTMB in 2025 – Fresh off his second CCC victory in 2024, Hayden Hawks has announced he’ll tackle the UTMB next year, marking his debut on the full loop. “Couldn’t be more excited to do a full lap around Mont Blanc,” he shared on Instagram.
Courtney Marie Olsen Dropped by Hoka After Record-Breaking Season – Despite a standout 2024 (including a 3rd-place finish at Comrades, and the 50-mile world record) Courtney shared on Instagram that Hoka will not renew her sponsorship for 2025. She reflected candidly on the challenges of navigating sponsorships in ultrarunning and expressed gratitude for the support she’s received from the running community. It’s disappointing to see such a decorated season met with silence, but here’s hoping bigger opportunities await Courtney in 2025.
Francesco Puppi Parts Ways with Nike – In other contract news, Francesco announced that his time as a Nike athlete has come to an end. Reflecting on his tenure, which included two world championships, two UTMB podiums, and a Golden Trail Series Final win, Puppi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to run professionally while noting his belief that his path in the sport no longer aligns with Nike’s vision. The split was described as positive and respectful, with Puppi looking ahead to new opportunities and challenges in 2025.
Kari Fraser Joins Hardrock Board of Directors – Hardrock 100 has elected Kari Fraser to its Board of Directors, replacing retiring member Blake Wood. A two-time Hardrock finisher and multiple aid station captain, Kari called the role “an expansion of my love and support of mountain ultrarunning and Hardrock specifically.”
Trail Organizations Are Hiring – The CDT Coalition seeks a full-time Montana Regional Representative to lead conservation, community engagement, and trail projects (info session January 15). Runners for Public Lands is hiring a part-time Program Manager for its 2025 Trail Work Series (remote, 10 months, $25–$28/hour; apply by January 15), and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has openings for roles like Digital Marketing Specialist and seasonal crew positions.
World Trail Majors Launches Short Series – Gran Canaria World Trail Majors has introduced the Short Series, featuring races from 30 to 60 km. Designed to make trail running more accessible, the series welcomes newcomers and underrepresented groups while still appealing to fast elites with cash prizes and competitive courses. With only two results counting toward rankings, the format aims to balance well with other race schedules. Learn more here.
2025 Mountain Running World Cup Announced – The World Mountain Running Association has unveiled its 2025 schedule, featuring debuts in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains and Chongli, China, with the finals in Slovenia this August. The Broken Arrow Skyrace, a fan favorite in the U.S., returns in June as part of the series. Enhanced travel support and increased prize money (€5,000 for champions) highlight this year’s updates. Full details here.
Cirque Series Heads East – Cirque Series is adding two East Coast stops next summer: Cannon Mountain in Franconia, NH (June 7, 6.7 miles, 3,386’ vert), and Killington, VT (June 28, 7.2 miles, 3,133’ vert). Details and registration here.
2025 Mount Mitchell Challenge Canceled – Sad news: the 2025 Mount Mitchell Challenge and Black Mountain Marathon are canceled due to Hurricane Helene’s damage, which left much of the course inaccessible. Registered runners can donate their entry to relief efforts, defer to 2026, or request a refund. The event is expected to return in 2026.
Upcoming Race Registrations – Registration for Javelina Jundred and Wy’east Trailfest opened yesterday (January 1), while Moab 240 registration opens Saturday (January 4). There are undoubtedly many others opening soon—these are just a few I’m aware of. If you’re a race director with registration opening this week, feel free to share in the comments.
High Lonesome Opens Pro Spots – High Lonesome 100 has reserved a few non-lottery spots for professional runners planning their 2025 or 2026 seasons. To qualify, athletes must meet the Pro Trail Runners Association’s standards (membership not required) and undergo a subjective review by race leadership. Interested runners can email kevin.c@freestoneendurance.com for consideration.
Podcast & YouTube Highlights
2024 Year in Review – just as we had in our last issue, I’ve highlighted more year end roundups that stood out:
Singletrack Podcast: 2024 Ultrarunning Year in Review – Finn Melanson, Leah Yingling, and Brett Hornig reflect on a packed year in ultrarunning. Highlights include Ludovic Pommeret’s Hardrock record, David Roach’s inspiring comeback, and the role of hydration in performance. They also dive into rookies like Hans Troyer and themes like shorter race formats gaining traction. A standout moment? Brett calling Finn’s 2024 predictions “the most accurate takes he’s ever had,” after years of questionable calls. Apple Podcasts | YouTube
AJW Unplugged: 2024 in Review and 2025 Predictions – In this year-end solo episode of Crack A Brew With AJW, Andy Jones-Wilkins reflects on his 2024 predictions, offering grades on how they panned out, and shares fresh predictions for 2025. Highlights include his thoughts on the rising popularity of sub-ultra events, the Barkley Marathons’ zero-finishers streak, Jim Walmsley’s comeback, and the evolution of ultramarathon fueling strategies. AJW also offers a personal update, sharing his leap from education to coaching, his emotional decision to tackle the Cocodona 250 in honor of a late friend, and his ongoing journey as an athlete and mentor. It’s a heartfelt, insightful recap of the year and a hopeful look ahead. Listen here.
The Jeffrey Awards 2024 – Jeff Garmire and Derrick Lytle bring hilarity and insight in Free Outside’s new (and hopefully annual) Jeffrey Awards, recognizing trail running’s best, worst, and downright weirdest moments of 2024. Categories include “Most Tragic FKT,” “Walker of the Year,” and “Trail Town of the Year,” among others, with nominees ranging from elite runners to unsuspecting newcomers. If you love humor mixed with a bit of chaos, this round up is for you. Apple Podcasts | YouTube
Other Highlights
Des Linden on Trail Running Aspirations – In the latest episode of Nobody Asked Us, Des Linden and Kara Goucher reflect on Des’ recent New Zealand trail adventures (which we linked to a few weeks ago) and what might come next. Des hints at an ultra future, saying, “I’m sure I’ll get pushed into a stupidly long ultra trail race…probably will happen, which is super annoying.” Could we be lucky enough to see Des on the start line of a trail race someday? Apple Podcasts | YouTube
Sally McRae and Tim Tollefson: The Mammoth 200 – Sally McRae and Tim Tollefson team up to introduce the Mammoth 200, a 200-mile single-loop race launching in September 2025. The route circumnavigates a 760,000-year-old caldera (ok, that’s cool), connecting small mountain communities and showcasing the rugged beauty of the Eastern Sierra. Sally’s recent film (watch on YouTube) captures the spirit of the route as she explores its diverse and dramatic landscapes, from alpine lakes and sage-filled valleys to summits of Mammoth Mountain. The Mammoth 200 was also featured on the Trail Network Podcast (Apple Podcasts | YouTube), where Tim shared insights into the race’s vision, its emphasis on community, and the challenges awaiting runners. As Tim described it, the Mammoth 200 is a “heroes’ journey” that promises to inspire. Registration opens in early January. Race website.
Liz Myers on the Across Florida 200 – In our last issue, we celebrated Liz Myers’ course record at the Across Florida 200. Now, on her Tribe of Runners podcast, Liz reflects on the 200-mile journey, the critical role of her crew and pacers, and the emotional highs and lows—including proposing to her girlfriend at the finish. Listen here.
Reads of the Week
The New Year is a time for reflection, and
and challenge the relentless pursuit of self-improvement with refreshingly candid perspectives. In The Futility of Resolutions, Jill reflects on the paradox of chasing future happiness while striving to stay present. Drawing from vivid experiences—like crossing sub-Arctic sea ice—she reminds us that contentment often arises in life’s simplest, most challenging moments. Meanwhile, Hillary’s Struggling with a Growth Mindset explores how the pressure to constantly improve can lead to burnout, self-doubt, and identity entanglement. Together, these essays encourage a thoughtful balance of ambition and self-compassion as we move into 2025.- ’s recent posts about winter summits with his girlfriend (none other than ) offer adventure-filled tales and stunning photos that transport you straight to some of Colorado’s iconic snow-capped 14ers—a refreshing contrast to my hill country perch here in Austin, Texas. In Winter Solstice on Mount Elbert, Adam recounts their journey up Colorado’s highest peak with vivid detail and reflection. In No Cherished Outcomes, he ups the storytelling and the stoke, capturing their attempt on La Plata Peak, where brutal conditions and the decision to turn back served as a poignant reminder that the journey—and the company—matter more than the summit. Both essays echo themes from Jill and Hillary’s reflections, urging us to embrace the present and redefine what success looks like, whether in the mountains or in life.
- and add their voices to the New Year’s reflections with practical insights and personal lessons from 2024. In What I’m Bringing Into the New Year…and What I’m Not, Jade shares what worked—like varied race distances and her delightfully named “Folder of Nice Things”—and her plans to refine hydration and electrolyte strategies. Abigail’s 2024 Take It or Leave It series offers a complementary perspective, highlighting her “take-its” in Part 1, like embracing true rest days and rediscovering journaling, alongside “leave-its” in Part II, such as chasing metrics without purpose or underestimating the toll of life stress.
Finally, as we eagerly await the official UROY announcements,
’s If I Were a UROY Voter series offers a perfect preview to whet your appetite. His analysis of the women’s field and his breakdown of the men’s field dive into competitive depth, head-to-head results, and key race performances, offering a compelling glimpse into the debates voters face.
That’s all for this week! As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to thank you for subscribing, reading, and sharing The Ultra Minute. What started just six months ago on a whim—my own search for a quick, weekly rundown of trail and ultrarunning news—has grown into something far more meaningful, thanks to your support. Whether it’s a message from a reader discovering a great piece of writing or a legend of the sport letting me know they look forward to each issue, your encouragement motivates me to keep making TUM better every week.
This year promises plenty of adventure—on and off the trails. My wife and I are excited (and a little nervous!) to welcome baby boy #3 in March, so life will be full of stroller miles and new challenges. But no matter how busy things get, I’m committed to running when I can, chasing a few race goals, and continuing to share the stories, news, and inspiration that make this community so special.
Thanks for being part of it all—see you out there!
– Ken
P.S. I recently experimented with Substack’s chat feature, where I started a thread about fueling strategies for training runs. It was great to hear from so many of you and see all the different solutions. If you haven’t chimed in yet, you can check it out here and share your thoughts. Have ideas for other topics we should explore? Drop a comment on this post or reply to this email—I’d love to hear from you!
After deleting instagram for good this round up is a god send, especially the sponsorship news!! Has any news broken on where Tom Evans is going after leaving terrex or are we all still waiting for that?
My top 24' moments: 1. Jasmin Paris (that photo!) 2. Tara Dower AT FKT 3. WSER