The Desert Solstice Track Invitational & How Fast Can a Human Run 100 Miles on a Track?

On this episode, Russell Ditsworth and co-host Corinne Shalvoy dive into the Desert Solstice Invitational, Aravaipa Running’s invite-only track ultra designed for records and national-team qualifiers. They break down why this meet exists, how athletes get in, and what makes a 400-meter loop the fastest laboratory in ultrarunning. You’ll hear how 24-hour and 100-mile efforts work on the track, the A/B standards for entry, and the staggering benchmarks set in recent years, including world-class 24-hour totals and the current 100-mile mark. Russell and Corinne unpack pacing, direction changes every four hours, lane etiquette, shoe rules, and why fueling can make or break an elite attempt. They also speculate on who could thrive at Desert Solstice this December, what trail stars might do on a track, and how high-carb strategies could push records lower. If you’re eyeing a timed event to practice night running, refine nutrition, or chase a standard, this episode gives you the playbook, and a few bold predictions.