Leadville Highs & UTMB Lessons: Our Biggest Race Recap Yet

In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, Russell, Corinne, and Graham recap two of the biggest trail running events in the world: the Leadville Trail 100 and UTMB. From race execution and training lessons to emotional highs and difficult setbacks, this conversation provides an unfiltered look at what it takes to chase ambitious goals in ultrarunning.⁠ ⁠Russell breaks down his breakthrough performance at Leadville, where he improved from a 27:46 finish to an incredible 23:03, earning a coveted Big Buckle and smashing his goal by nearly two hours. He shares how higher weekly mileage, consistent physical therapy, disciplined fueling, and exceptional support from his crew and pacers all contributed to his best ultramarathon performance to date.Corinne reflects on her journey to the start line of UTMB, including a focused training block in Colorado's San Juan Mountains and the unforgettable atmosphere of Chamonix. She shares what it was like to start alongside some of the sport's biggest names, experience the energy of thousands of spectators, and navigate the race through the night. While her day ultimately ended in Courmayeur after physical struggles including vision issues, she offers a thoughtful reflection on the lessons learned and why the experience only deepened her desire to return stronger.⁠ ⁠The trio also discusses race trends, standout performances from athletes such as Rachel Entrekin, Riley Brady, and Jen Lichter, the growing global significance of UTMB, and why Leadville continues to hold a unique place in the soul of the sport. The result is a candid conversation about perseverance, growth, community, and what keeps runners coming back to tackle these iconic events.⁠ ⁠This episode is brought to you by Open Fuel Nutrition. Whether you're training for your next ultramarathon or dialing in your race-day fueling strategy, Open Fuel's athlete-focused products help simplify nutrition so you can focus on performance. Check out their drink mixes, gels, and fueling solutions, and use code UU25 to save 25% off your order.