Good morning trail friends. It's sweltering out there, but we're not slowin' down — so grab yourself an iced coffee and let's get ready for another great week in trail.
We've added a Photo of Month and are kicking it off with a look back at how we survived the last year.
Can't brave the heat, but still want a runner's high? We've got you covered — down in the DFL.
- Jenn Hughes & Matt Hart
THE WEEKEND COOL DOWN
Never Summer, Always Hot
It was blazing hot competition at the Never Summer 100K (📸: 1) with only two minutes separating the like-named 1st and 2nd males (respectively: Christopher Schurk, Christopher Copenhaver) across 13 hours of racing. Right behind them? Meghan Morgan, just 5 minutes back as the 1st female and 3rd overall (📸: 3).
After finishing 3rd at Hardrock, Dakota Jones still had the energy to put on his annual Footprints Running Camp (📸: 2), bringing together students and environmental experts for what artist Max Romey called a “surprising mix of environmental work, trail running, and inspiration that left me feeling so much more hopeful.”
Want more racing? Check out these upcoming events still open for registration:
Don’t quit unless you’re proud. That’s how I’ve lived my entire life. - Anita Cardinal
As a mom of three and a middle-aged law student, Anita Cardinal has long been a master of relentless forward progress, but never for vanity pursuits or personal pride. Humble and focused, Anita is driven to help and to heal.
As Jess Daddio shares, Anita's ultrarunning connects her to traditional ways as a Nêhiyaw (Cree), while her work empowers her to serve Canada's Indigenous people after generations of trauma. A powerful story about the intersection of running, healing, and purpose.
Over the last few years, we needed running more than ever. Many of us missed the communal aspects of in-person racing — willing to mask-up for safety if it meant being on the trails together. But what really got us through? Small, but mighty moments of deep connection in the middle of a season that seemed otherwise surreal.
📸 Photo of the Month: Special thanks to David Miller for our August photo moment.
👀 Want to be featured? Tag #ultrasignup on your favorite trail pics!
🎯 Little Miss Everywhere: One part nostalgia, one part trail? Count us in. The Little Miss memes were everywhere last week, so we jumped in and gave it our best. Also check out VacationRaces and Hoka, who nailed it.
🐦 Tweet of the Week: From Western States 100 Race Director, Craig Thornley: “A first for me today in 20 years of directing races. A runner who didn't finish @wser mailed his swag back to me. Said he couldn't keep it because he didn't finish.” #Respect for the integrity of this community.
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Don’t quit unless you’re proud. That’s how I’ve lived my entire life. 
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