#93 Richard Abernathy | Dirty Wolf Racing, Creative Race Design, & Building Community on the Trails

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT“I don’t want to just direct a race—I want to give people something they’ve never experienced before.”In this episode, Troy sits down with Richard Abernathy, the creative force behind Dirty Wolf Racing—a trail and ultra event series in North Carolina that blends storytelling, challenge, and community in unforgettable ways.From humble beginnings on a tiny track to directing races like Beast of the East 100, Stone Mountain Massacre, and the ever-whimsical LLAMA, Richard shares his wild journey from reluctant runner to race director, family man, and full-time adventure architect.Whether it’s mystery aid stations with elemental rocks or events that include llamas, Richard’s approach to trail running is one-of-a-kind—infusing play, grit, and heart into everything he touches.In this episode, Richard and Troy talk about:How a playful challenge from his ex-wife kicked off his running journeyStarting Dirty Wolf Racing and creating events with storytelling at the coreThe beautiful chaos of directing races while supporting his wife’s herbal brand, Hollowed Springs ArtThe inspiration behind events like LLAMA, Leatherwood, and Stone Mountain MassacreWhat it really takes to keep race experiences fresh, creative, and community-drivenRelevant LinksDirty Wolf Racing Hallowed Springs ArtBeast of the East 100LLAMA UltraStone Mountain MassacrePartner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.H001 is a new hydration mix that has the carbs and sodium your body needs for high-output adventures in a single serving.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryBear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.Richard Abernathy, Dirty Wolf Racing, trail running, race director, Beast of the East, LLAMA Ultra, Stone Mountain Massacre, Hollowed Springs Art, ultrarunning, North Carolina trail races, creative race design, UltraSignup, family and running