The Future of Ultrarunning with Candice Burt and Jason Green | Koopcast Episode 151
Episode overview:
In this episode, AJW speaks with two of America's most popular Race Directors, Candice Burt and Jason Green, to discuss the current state of the sport and their thoughts about what they hope ultrarunning will look like in the next decade.
Episode highlights:
(24:14) Community over competition: sharing inspirational stories, celebrating the final finishers
(32:17) Jason on planning for the future of ultras: the commercialization of ultramarathons, appreciating the personal connection
(46:56) Candice on environmental responsibility and inclusivity: runner and crew education, leave no trace, dealing with human waste on the trail, performing double sweeps on trails
Our conversation:
(0:00) Introduction: AJW covers for Koop, introducing Candice and Jason
(1:05) Candice’s journey into ultras: Born to Run, finding community, from organizing trail 20ks to 200 mile races
(4:49) Jason’s journey into ultras: getting hooked on 50 milers, lack of community, inspiration from skateboard culture
(7:33) Creating positive experiences: the effort required by race directing, congratulating every finisher
(9:00) Candice on organizing races post-Covid: business challenges, lower athlete motivation, losing employees and volunteers
(13:07) Jason on organizing races post-Covid: maintaining community, global depression, rebuilding community, the waitlist
(15:42) Managing a crisis: attitude, human interaction, highlighting the community
(17:38) Community in 200 mile races: camaraderie, making friends, group motivation
(21:42) Jason’s directing style: learning by organizing skateboard contests, celebrating overcoming adversity
(24:14) Community over competition: sharing inspirational stories, celebrating the final finishers
(26:40) Nurturing community: Wasatch anecdote, cheering non-elite athletes, encouraging repeat customers
(28:25) Valuing experience: creating memories from races
(29:30) A recent history of ultramarathon participation: Born to Run, Unbreakable, Hokas, longer waitlists and the UTMB monopoly
(32:17) Jason on planning for the future of ultras: the commercialization of ultramarathons, appreciating the personal connection
(35:06) Doubling down on community: support, human values, drawbacks of contracted race directors and sponsors at races
(37:39) Western States organizers: creating change, transparency, setting the standard for race events
(40:10) Candice on planning for the future of ultras: innovation, race caps, avoiding sponsors, and the small business niche
(44:04) Jason on environmental responsibility and inclusivity: medals, waste, spreading the message of inclusivity
(46:56) Candice on environmental responsibility and inclusivity: runner and crew education, leave no trace, dealing with human waste on the trail, performing double sweeps on trails
(50:38) Parking: the biggest threat to Western States permitting
(51:52) Training your crew: crew rules, being respectful, cheating, parking complications
(54:34) Hope in the future of ultrarunning: enthusiasm, making memories, supporting small businesses, embracing passion
(58:04) Giving thanks: plugs for Jason and Candice
(58:55) Mentorship in ultrarunning: volunteering, coaching, segway into episode 153 and the future of ultrarunning
(1:02:47) Outro: giving thanks
Additional resources:
Jason: https://yetitrailrunners.com/
Twitter @yeti_runners
IG @yetitrailrunners
Candice: https://www.destinationtrailrun.com/
Twitter: @runcandice
IG @runcandicerun
Information on coaching-
Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
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