Ultrarunning is evolving and growing fast and with that growth, ultra running feels different. Josh digs into how the sport is changing as it becomes more competitive, more visible, and more professional than ever before and asks whether something essential is being lost along the way.

From duct-taped water bottles and campfire start lines to global races with thousands of runners and highly engineered gear, this episode explores what that shift really means. From the rise of new brands and technologies to the increasing professionalization of the sport, the conversation looks at what we’ve gained—and what we might be leaving behind. Not as something to judge, but as an evolution that is reshaping how ultrarunning feels, who it’s for, and where it’s going next.

For runners thinking about how ultrarunning is changing and what that means for the future of trail running and ultrarunning.

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Topics / Timestamps

00:00 The Evolution of Ultra Running
02:23 Defining the Charm of Ultra Running
07:15 Ultrarunning is Really Two Sports in One
11:54 Professionalization vs. Community
17:00 The Standardization and Predictability of Ultra Races
23:43 The Trade-Offs of Growth - we're losing something

Resources / Links

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Presented by Kiprun.

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Is Ultrarunning Losing Its Charm?