The Ultra Minute 🏔️ November 12, 2024
Courtney Olsen breaks 50-mile world record, Nick Fowler sets FKT on the AZT, Canadians shine at Puerto Vallarta, plus Tara reveals her roots, Kilian hints at Western States, and more
Courtney Olsen Shatters 50-Mile World Record at Tunnel Hill
Courtney Olsen delivered an all-out performance at Tunnel Hill, breaking the long-standing women’s 50-mile world record by over eight minutes. Clocking in at 5:31:56, Olsen’s run eclipsed Ann Trason’s 1991 record and set a blazing 6:39 per mile pace across the flat, certified course in Vienna, Illinois. Not only did her achievement set a new world standard, pending ratification by the IAU and USATF, but it also added her to the list of record-setting legends at Tunnel Hill, joining Camille Herron and Charlie Lawrence. This win continues a strong year for Olsen, who previously placed third at the Comrades Marathon and is set to represent Team USA at the 100K World Championships in December. Following Olsen, Melissa Tanner claimed second in 5:58:40, with Andrea Pomaranski rounding out the podium in 6:07:05.
More from Tunnel Hill:
Jason Yang claimed victory in the men’s 50-mile race with a strong finish of 4:56:34 (5:56 min/mi pace), marking the second-fastest time (Charlie Lawrence ran last year in 4:48:21) on the Tunnel Hill course. Ryan Root followed in second with 5:06:59, and Gavin Prior took third in 5:31:13. Full results.
In the 100-mile race, John Donovan took the overall win in 12:36:26, followed by Phil Young in 12:48:45 and Adam Gloyeske in 14:25:46. On the women’s side, Julie Hamulecki delivered a standout performance, finishing third overall in 13:32:07, setting a Canadian national record and marking the second-fastest time ever on the course (behind Camille Herron’s 2017 run in 12:42:40). Erica Aikman (17:01:30) and Mallory Servais (17:47:15) rounded out the women’s podium. Full results.
Nick Fowler Sets New Arizona Trail FKT, Breaking Supported Record with a Self-Supported Effort
Nick Fowler set an extraordinary new FKT on the Arizona Trail, covering its 817 rugged miles in 12 days, 17 hours, and 33 minutes. His journey was far from straightforward—starting on October 24, Fowler’s initial attempt derailed after severe nausea struck during his second day, forcing him to bail after a tough slog across the Grand Canyon. But two days later, he regrouped, restarted, and maintained an impressive self-supported pace that averaged over 64 miles per day, despite brutal weather, chafing, equipment mishaps, and navigation errors that added around 11 extra miles.
Notably, Fowler doesn’t come from a running background, as he shared in a transparent post back in August (you should also read this post about “his cave”). His effort not only eclipses the previous self-supported FKT but also outpaces Joe McConaughy’s supported record by over half a day (don’t miss this awesome documentary from Joe’s 2022 record setting attempt). Meanwhile, Georgia Porter is closing in on the women’s supported FKT, with just 150 miles left. Her crew is working tirelessly to help her finish under the current record of 17 days, 11 hours, set by Helen Galerakis.
Don’t miss Nick’s full write up.
Puerto Vallarta by UTMB: Alyssa Clark and Remigio Huaman Dominate 100-Mile, Canadians Shine Across Distances
Puerto Vallarta by UTMB tested runners with its diverse course of coastal, jungle, and mountain terrain, all steeped in the area’s rich Wixárika heritage. Alyssa Clark took the women’s 100-mile crown in 21:38, well ahead of Canada’s Kelsey Hogan, who followed in 23:29 to secure her spot at the 2025 UTMB finals. Mexico’s Marisol Arteaga rounded out the women’s podium in 27:49. On the men’s side, Remigio Huaman of Peru set the winning time of 16:20, with Samuel Collins of the U.S. just an hour behind in 17:20, and Steven Doll in third at 18:57.
Canada shone across other distances, with Arden Young winning the women’s 100K in 11:53, followed by compatriot Amber Houle in 13:47 and Alexa Romano of the U.S. in 14:00. In the men’s 100K, Julián Vinasco Marín of Colombia took first in 10:10, followed by Jupiter Carera of Mexico in 10:23 and Ireland’s Paddy O’Leary in 10:42. The 50K saw another Canadian, Jaren Titus, win the men’s race in 5:20, while Emerson Trujillo of Peru (5:25) and David Norris of the U.S. (5:26) completed the podium. Spain’s Sara Alonso claimed the women’s 50K in 5:25, placing third overall, with Mexico’s Reyna Rivera and Phoebe Crosthwaite of the U.K. finishing in 6:07 and 6:30, respectively.
News and Links
Tara Dower posted a throwback to her first Appalachian Trail outing, hauling an “ultra heavy” backpack and rocking broken hiking boots from Goodwill that you really have to click through to see (no really, her pack was insanely large!). Her advice? Start where you are and embrace being a beginner—it’s all part of the journey.
REI is tightening its return policy, banning a small fraction of members (under 0.02% of 24 million) from returns or exchanges due to misuse. While most members won’t be affected, flagged individuals can still shop but are restricted from making returns. This update builds on REI’s 2013 shift from a lifetime return policy to maintain program integrity and profitability.
Registration for the 2025 Grindstone by UTMB, the only UTMB race on the East Coast, opened this week. This race will sell out quickly so grab a spot before it’s too late.
Kilian Jornet joined the Freetrail Podcast to chat about his season, which saw him winning Zegama for the 11th time, Sierre Zinal for the 10th, and completing his “Alpine Connections” traverse across the Alps. Topics include his unique training approach, balancing parenthood with adventure, and his reflections on sustaining elite performance as he ages—plus he’s registered for Chianti Trail by UTMB and basically admitted to eyeing up Western States (with the caveat that he has a 3rd kid on the way). If he does qualify for Western (and goes), it’ll be his first time since 2011 (the Unbreakable year - must watch if you haven’t seen it!). For those keeping track, David Roche is lining up for Western next year, aiming to go sub 14 hours and take the crown from Walmsley. Will we also get Kilian in the mix?? (Apple Podcasts | YouTube)
David Roche joined the Singletrack Podcast for an epic two-hour conversation covering everything from his recent wins at Leadville and Javelina to deeper insights into coaching, athlete development, and race strategies. They dive into everything from the mental game to the impact of media exposure, and even Roche’s takes on race recovery, nutrition, and training density. Plus, they explore big-picture topics like trail running’s professionalization, sponsorship dynamics, and the influence of icons like Kilian Jornet. (Apple Podcasts | YouTube)
Good Reads
- , , and each bring fresh perspective to the art of pushing through and knowing when to let go. Robinson uses his daughter’s wobbly first steps and his own running stumbles to reflect on resilience, arguing that every fall—and recovery—builds grit for when the stars align. Allen adds her own take, challenging the idea that quitting is failure and sharing how an intense high-altitude storm forced her to reassess toughness. And for Smith, calling it at mile 62 in the Colorado 24 Hour Run was a lesson in valuing long-term health over pride. Together, these pieces explore the power of knowing when to persevere and when to pull back.
- and both dive into what it means to navigate life’s darker, uncertain moments. For Homer, music and snowy slogs in Colorado’s powder help her find resilience when things feel bleak, while Tom Rosenthal’s songs become her anthems of hope. Meanwhile, Arnold’s post-election walk with a friend is a retreat into simpler actions—wearing overalls, sketching, and finding grounding in everyday life. For both, it’s about facing the chaos with small acts of comfort and acceptance, reminding us that resilience can look like taking it slow.
Amelia Boone and
offer honest takes on grief and self-acceptance. Boone’s journey with mirrors, sparked by a solo move to Colorado during the pandemic, led her from avoiding her reflection to a practice of self-compassion. Barton, on the other hand, reflects on the complicated grief of losing his father, finding that it’s okay not to mourn someone who caused pain. Both stories are powerful reminders to honor our truths and to make space for the parts of ourselves that need healing.- and both explore the idea of a more sustainable, intuitive approach to running. Auer’s “Ease Mindset” focuses on letting go of short-term gains and perfectionism, prioritizing a consistent, gentle approach over ego-driven effort. Hahn takes this further with wu wei, or “effortless action,” guiding runners to embrace Ease, Attunement, and Trust as a path to flow. Together, they make the case for a relaxed, steady approach that values the journey over pushing to the max.
That’s it for this week. If you enjoyed this edition of The Ultra Minute, please forward this email to a friend and encourage them to subscribe at this link so it lands in their inbox next week 🫶🏼
See y’all on the trail,
Ken
I think Nick Fowler’s cave post is the purest, most insightful thing I’ve read in a long time — thank you for the link (and nudge)!
I love this. Thanks for sharing!