Scotty Sandow

An ultrarunning evolution is happening around the country as race directors work to get more women to the start line. Case in point, officials of the High Lonesome 100, which takes place in Colorado’s breathtaking Sawatch Range, introduced a lottery system to level the gender playing field.

Mario Mendoza enters the UR Podcast inner sanctum just days ahead UTMB’s CCC. Mario is a four-time USATF Trail Runner of the Year, two-time former treadmill World Record holder and he recently took first place overall at the Lake Sonoma 50 in 2021.

On August 12, veteran ultrarunner Dean Karnazes was attacked by a coyote while running the Headlands 150-Mile Endurance Run in Northern California. Dean shared an Instagram video following the attack,…

In this episode, we’re talking about those pesky little blood-sucking critters, ticks. Dr. Jason Wagner joins us to give a quick download on tick prevention, removal, illnesses, signs and symptoms, and treatment options after your trail run.

We are proud to welcome UltraRunning Magazine’s Western States contest winner Natasha Daniels to the URM podcast. Natasha shares her personal story with us, which was selected from over 100 entries in November.

Elite ultrarunner and overall endearing human being Tim Tollefson joins us to share details about the new Mammoth Trail Fest, which promises to be an epic, European-style event, and how the idea came to fruition.

Pete Kostelnick joins the UR inner sanctum to talk about his next adventure: running 50 miles in all 50 states in 50 days. Pete’s no stranger to monumental endurance feats – he’s the current World Record holder for the fastest coast-to-coast crossing of the United States by foot. He ran from San Francisco to New York City in 42 days, 6 hours and 30 minutes.

In our new feature, Ultra Shorts, we discuss one of the unexpected things we experience while ultrarunning: poison oak. We’re joined by Dr. Jason Wagner as we chat about what you need to know about this nasty plant, including prevention, treatment and myths about poison oak.

In this episode, we are joined by 20-year-old Zach Bates, who just finished Canyons 100k and happens to be on the Autism spectrum. Back in May 2021, Zach told his parents that he wanted to run 100 miles. Having zero ultra experience and only six months to prepare, Zach accomplished his goal and created something very special in the process. Zach is joined by his mom, Rana, to share their incredible story.

100 Marathons in 100 Days. UltraRunning Magazine ambassador Jacky Hunt-Broersma joins us on day 82 on her quest to run 100 marathons in 100 days. What makes this endeavor truly remarkable is that Jacky is an amputee. Her left leg was amputated below the knee in order to save her life due to a rare form of cancer. Jacky talks with URM about her record-setting feat, wearing a running blade and her ultra experience.

We are delighted to welcome Keely Henninger into the inner sanctum of the UR Magazine Podcast as she shares her mission to pursue her highest potential while helping others reach theirs, too. Keely has her focus set on Western States in June, where she’s looking to best last year’s performance which landed her among the top 20 finishers.

Ellie Pell joins the URM podcast to share her thoughts on scoring a Golden Ticket at the Bandera 100k, mental performance coaching (a service she offers at no cost), racing Western States, how she caught the running bug, the East Coast running scene and so much more.

Flagstaff’s Trueheart Brown joins the URM podcast to talk about his first win at a stacked Black Canyon 100K in Arizona, nabbing a Golden Ticket to Western States. True talks to Scotty about his race-day experience (only his fourth ultra) and his approach to WS100, which will be his first 100-miler. True also shares his experience working on a hot shot crew and how it has prepared him for ultras. True is a fire management officer with the Flagstaff Ranger District in the Cononino National Forest. He lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, with his  wife and two children.

It’s Valentine’s Day and in the season of red roses and mad dashes to the local drug store for “heart-shaped anything,” we put together a collection of interviews featuring three different ultrarunning couples. These endearing endurance athletes share stories about how they met and bonded over ultrarunning.

Ultrarunning legend Pam Smith kicks off Season 3 of the UltraRunning Magazine Podcast just one day after learning that she’ll be burning it up, literally, at Badwater later this year. Pam shares her thoughts about running through the desert, setting four American age group records at the 2021 Desert Solstice Track Invitational, competing for Team USA and much more, including the unsexy side of ultrarunning.

In this episode, we are joined by the talented Adam Merry who recently won Run the Rock 50-miler in Oregon and set a course record. Adam shares his experience about his win, working with running coach David Roche, his journey to compete at an elite level and most notably, his personal mission to increase representation of Black, Indigenous and people of color in ultrarunning.

There is something magical happening in the woods in Appalachia – it’s part rebel, part genius, part unicorn and entirely full of heart. For those not in the know, Jason Green, founder of Yeti Trail Runners, has spent the last 10 years creating a trail running counterculture of sorts, and ultra events which are about as unorthodox as the reason Jason got into ultrarunning.

In this episode we’re joined by the extraordinary Tessa Chesser of Flagstaff, AZ who recently punched her ticket to Western States when she podium’d at Javelina Jundred in what was just her second 100-mile effort. Tessa shares a very authentic look into her life as we discuss her training, recovery, personal journey, self-care and love.

The book, Fixing Your Feet by John Vonhoff with Tonya Olson, is the ultrarunner’s definitive guide on foot care. Now in its 7th edition, John and Tonya share details about the book’s new upgrade and essential tips including shoe fit, sock selection, foot care, recovery and much more.

In this episode we are joined by Western States Endurance Run Race Director, Craig Thornley, for his candid take on some of this year’s tragic ultra events. Craig offers an honest perspective on mountain ultra safety and the roles and responsibilities of race organizers and runners.

Scotty talks with Josiah Hesse who is an avid runner, freelance journalist and author of a new book titled, Runner’s High: How a Movement of Cannabis-Fueled Athletes is Changing the Science of Sports.

In this episode, we roll out our very first “My First Hundo” episode with Wesley Schlabach. Wesley recently ran the Tuscazoar 100 in Ohio.

Wesley’s story features his weight-loss journey, positive attitude and pursuit to affect positive health outcomes in others. Not to mention that his unsupported 100-mile finish is only his second ultra to date. His first ultra was a 50k back in the spring.

In this episode we take a trip down under to the Land of Oz and have a talk-about with the spirited Katie Visco. Katie is on a mission of self-discovery and self-love, which is interwoven into her passion for running and community.

She joins the program to share her recent adventure in Australia, participating in the 1000 Miles to Light, a 1,000-mile relay race to raise awareness and funds for youth mental health services.

Darcy Piceu talked to Scotty and shared her experience after placing second at this year’s Hardrock 100. She also talked  about Hardrock’s new policy to get more women to the start line, practicing mindfulness and meditation, life balance and much more.

Hal Koerner and Jimmy Dean Freeman put on a master class about how to approach ultrarunning after a long break, and how to maintain fitness while upholding one of life’s most important roles: fatherhood. While their paths might be different, they are united by their passion for endurance running and raising their children.

Sean Mullett was the second to last finisher at this year’s Western States 100, crossing the line in 29:58. His lap around the Placer High track was the most dramatic one of the race. Hear about his experience and what led up to his struggle during that final mile, and how he recovered at the hospital in the days after.

Ryan Montgomery is an openly queer ultrarunner and sat down to talk with Scotty about Pride Month and being a beacon for others. Last year he placed second at the Desert Solstice 24 hour and third in the 100-mile event. And while most of us were binge-watching Tiger King, Ryan set an unsupported FKT on the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier.

Dean Karnazes is a legend in the sport of ultrarunning, UltraRunning Magazine columnist and author of the national bestseller, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner. His latest book, A Runner’s High, is a memoir detailing Dean’s experiences as an ultrarunner, his family life and training  for the Western States Endurance Run in 2018.

Cory Reese is an ultrarunner and well known author of two books, Nowhere Near First and Into the Furnace, as well as his column “Reese’s Pieces” in UltraRunning Magazine. His third book, Stronger Than the Dark, comes out on June 8. Scotty talked with Cory about the inspiration for his new book, including his struggle with depression.

Marshall Ulrich is an endurance athlete and ultrarunning legend with over 130 ultra finishes. He recently crossed Death Valley for the 30th time on foot in February when he set out to raise money in honor of his friend and teammate, Mark Macy. Macy is a long-time friend and recently competed on Amazon’s World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji with his son, Travis. Ulrich’s team, The Stray Dogs also competed alongside the Macy’s during the adventure race. Eco-Challenge Team Stray Dogs originally included both Ulrich and Macy until Macy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018.