This week on the Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by Allison Mercer to talk about one of the strangest weekends the running world has seen in a while.

Allison was in Atlanta covering the US Half Marathon Championships, but before the reporting even started she paced a marathon, took a hard fall at mile 16, finished the race covered in blood, and ended up getting stitches. Somehow that still wasn’t the craziest thing that happened.

We break down the controversy from the championship race where the lead women followed a vehicle the wrong direction late in the race, how it affected the results, and why the reaction online got so heated. We also talk about what actually happened behind the scenes and why these situations are more complicated than they look on social media.

After that we catch up on everything else happening in running right now, Black Canyon course records, Western States storylines, FKTs starting to heat up for the season, and Allison somehow explaining Barkley and FKTs to Olympic champion Cole Hocker over breakfast.

It’s a mix of running news, chaos, and a little bit of perspective from two people who spend way too much time thinking about this sport.

Thanks for watching and supporting the show.

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Chapters

00:00 Marathon Weekend Recap

03:45 Race Day Chaos and Injuries

06:49 The Aftermath of the Race Incident

10:01 Social Media Reactions and Accountability

12:57 Understanding the Race Dynamics

15:43 The Impact of the Incident on Athletes

18:45 Community Response and Support

21:50 Reflections on Empathy and Accountability

24:47 Looking Ahead: Future Races and Events

37:20 Emerging Trends in Running and Relatability

40:48 Ultra Runner of the Year Predictions

45:32 Growth of FKTs Globally

52:21 The Race Purse Controversy

56:40 Excitement for Race Season and Recommendations

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Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Anthony Lee joins the Free Outside Podcast for a deep, honest conversation that starts in Vancouver, Washington (not Canada) and runs all the way to Boulder, Colorado, and 30 completed 100-milers.

Anthony opens up about growing up sedentary, finding fitness through family, and the non-linear reality of turning your life around. We talk about bad decisions, real consequences, therapy, and the support system that helped him rebuild. Then we shift into what he does best, racing hard mountain ultras like Ouray 100 and Hurt 100, and why he keeps choosing the toughest courses.

We also get into travel, his engagement story in Japan (yes, the ring lived in a fanny pack for two weeks), sponsorship, and how it actually happens, plus what Anthony would fix in trail running right now, from social media noise to making the sport more welcoming and more diverse.

Topics we cover

-Growing up in Vancouver, Washington and finding running later than most

-Setbacks, consequences, and the role of therapy and family support

-Moving to Colorado after winning High Lonesome 100

-Why Anthony loves 100 milers (and why his race schedule is “chaotic”)

-Favorite races, Yurei 100, Hurt 100, and what makes them special

-The mental checklist for surviving low points in ultras

-Engagement in Japan and traveling outside of race season

-Diversity in trail running, barriers to entry, and representation

-Sponsorship, persistence, and building a career as an athlete

-What’s next, Golden Ticket races, Western States, Hardrock, and maybe Barkley

Follow Anthony online: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyclee94

Support our Sponsors:

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Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726

CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee

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Chapters

00:00 From Vancouver to Boulder: A Journey Begins

08:50 Finding Fitness: The Shift from Sedentary to Active

14:06 Overcoming Challenges: The Road to Trail Running

20:37 Love and Support: The Engagement Story

24:05 Racing Passion: The Ultra Running Experience

29:53 Exploring the Challenge of Ultra Races

34:02 Mental Strategies for Endurance Racing

35:06 The State of Trail Running: Community and Inclusivity

38:17 Diversity in Trail Running: Progress and Challenges

42:24 Personal Experiences and Representation in Running

47:13 Future Goals and Aspirations in Running

50:11 The Journey to Sponsorship in Running

55:23 How Running Transformed My Life

57:41 Community and Support in Running

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Jacob Banta has spent years photographing the fastest runners in the sport.

Now he’s racing them.

After grinding as a privateer photographer, ski instructor, and self-sponsored athlete, Jacob earned a Golden Ticket at Terrawera 100K and punched his way into Western States.

Follow Jacob Online: https://www.instagram.com/banta.visuals/

Thumbnail photos from

Ryan Thrower: @ryanthrower

Jacob Banta: @banta.visuals

We talk about:

-Losing money to chase the Golden Ticket

-What elites actually do behind the scenes

-Brain injuries from motocross

-Why he stopped looking over his shoulder

-The psychology of racing for position

-Being a “pro exerciser”

-And whether mayonnaise is the real performance enhancer

This is the story of someone who didn’t choose one lane, ignored his 7th grade coach, and built a life around movement, creativity, and trying really hard.

Support our Sponsors:

Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/

Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726

CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee

Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure