Grandmaster Ultras: Old Is Cool
Grandmaster Ultras is a series of ultra‑marathon events in Arizona created exclusively for runners aged 50 and older. The races range from 50 k to 100 miles and feature generous cut‑off times—up to 48 hours for the 100‑mile distance—so participants can finish without elite‑time pressure. Founded by Daniel Wilson and Beiyi Zheng, the events emphasize a tight‑knit volunteer community and rugged desert terrain. This year’s flagship race attracted ultrarunning legends and inspiring personal stories, underscoring a growing demand for age‑inclusive endurance challenges.
Should You Use AI for Your Training Plan?
ChatGPT and similar AI chatbots are increasingly being used by runners for training advice, but research shows mixed results. Studies reveal that AI‑generated plans are acceptable for beginners but often contain errors for intermediate and advanced athletes, especially around race...
Exhausting But Worth It: Trail Running in the City
A New York runner chronicles the arduous commute from Queens to the Long Path trail, using subways, buses, and the Staten Island ferry to reach a 50‑kilometer ultra and weekly training runs. The journey can take 45 minutes to over an hour,...
13 Years at the Pistol Ultra
The Pistol Ultra celebrated its 13th annual race in Alcoa, Tennessee, attracting participants from 35 states and two countries. Distances ranged from 10 to 100 miles, with the event hosting the RRCA Tennessee State Championship for the 50 k distance. Highlights...
REVIEW: Arc’teryx Sylan 2 Trail Shoes
Arc'teryx introduced the Sylan 2 trail shoe, a hybrid of the original Sylan and the Sylan Pro, weighing 9.5 oz for men and 8.0 oz for women and priced at $240. The shoe features an engineered jacquard knit upper, a dual‑density midsole with a...
UltraRunning Apr/May 2026
UltraRunning's April/May 2026 issue spotlights Jennifer Lichter's Black Canyon 100k victory, earning a Golden Ticket to the Western States 100. The magazine blends training insights, including a debate on AI‑generated training plans, with deep dives into mountain ultra strategies. Additional...
The Cutoff W/ Dylan Harris & Jamil Coury
Filmmaker Dylan Harris and Aravaipa Running’s Jamil Coury discuss "The Cutoff," a new documentary on the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon. The film follows the final runners through the Arizona desert, capturing the real‑time emotions of back‑of‑the‑pack athletes as they race against...
Florida’s Space Pirate
Pamela Chapman‑Markle, a 70‑year‑old UltraRunning ambassador, completed Florida’s Space Pirate 100‑mile ultramarathon in 21:33, finishing third among women and fourth overall. The race traced a point‑to‑point coastal route from Cape Canaveral to Jensen Beach, featuring a night‑time detour through Fort...
What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — March 21, 2026
The weekend’s ultrarunning calendar highlights four marquee events: the 32nd Chuckanut 50k in Washington, drawing over 600 elite runners for a 10 k trail start followed by 30 k of rugged mountain terrain and 5,000 ft of vertical gain; Ohio’s Backyard Ultra in Lucasville,...
REVIEW: Shokz OpenFit Pro Headphones
Shokz has launched the OpenFit Pro, its most advanced open‑ear headphone to date, adding active noise reduction, Dolby Atmos spatial sound and a dual‑diaphragm SuperBoost driver. The device features a sturdier aluminum‑mesh build, a 10‑band EQ, and a triple‑microphone array that...
The 50-Mile Floor
A seasoned trail runner suffers a rib fracture just weeks before a Boston‑qualifying marathon. Despite severe pain, she continues high‑volume training, opting to lower intensity but keep mileage in Zone 2. The essay reveals how running has become a mental‑health lifeline,...
Ultra Weekend Recap — March 1, 2026
UltraRunning Magazine reported 31 North American ultra events over the weekend of Feb 28‑Mar 1, 2026, highlighting results from Utah, Arizona, Maryland and Washington. The 20th anniversary Moab Red Hot Ultra 55 k drew 175 finishers, with Hannah Allgood winning the women’s division...
Resilience Revisited
Jodi Weiss reflects on resilience through personal loss, a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia, and a decade of ultrarunning. She explains how heart‑rhythm disruptions mirrored emotional turbulence and how ritualized running, yoga, and stillness helped rebuild her sense...
How to Run Black Canyon in Style & Comfort
The Black Canyon 100k, part of the World Trail Majors, offers one of the fastest ultra‑trail experiences in the United States. The author combined elite competition with high‑end hospitality, staying at Hilton Scottsdale resorts and enjoying spa recovery. Practical tips...
Coaching Molly Seidel: Translating Marathon Fitness to Ultramarathon
CTS coach Cliff Pittman guided Olympic marathoner Molly Seidel through her first 100 km at Black Canyon using a Minimum Effective Change model. Rather than adding mileage, the plan kept total volume steady while increasing run density and emphasizing back‑to‑back long...