East Coast Trail And Ultra Podcast

Jason Garris has never ran a race, like ever, but that all changed when he turned 40 and decided to run Strolling Jim for his very first race. Jason shares his amazing story and gives a perspective on the Ultra World from new eyes. Ron Moore also joins me to talk about finishing second man at the Grayson Highlands 50k and maintaining speed while approaching his 50th birthday. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Tasha Holland talks with Ryan about going from being near death to completing some the most challenging Ultras on the Beast Coast. Tasha shares how she kept motivated during her journey and the lessons she learned along the way about life and running. She also shares some of the best trail races in West Virginia. Ryan also announces the winners of the entries to Sky To Summit and The Chattanooga 50/100 miler. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

We chat with Patrick Collins and Aaron Stredny about the biggest trail race in America, The Hyner View Trail Challenge. A race that boast over a thousand runners between the 25k and the 50k. We also talk about the need for more sub-ultra distance trail races and give you a chance to win entries into upcoming Run Bum Races. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

On this episode we meet Billy Richards, a Veteran who has decided to try and run 43 100 milers in a single year, all while carrying an American Flag. Billy shares why he is doing this and some of his crazier endurance stories that he admits you should not try at home. I also chat with Co-RD of the Hellbender 100, Clay Warner, about the epic new Southern 100 that in it's second year continues to earn rave revues and a reputation for being one of the most beautiful and brutal hundos in the country. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page.www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

On this episode we chat with GDR winners Luzis Buehler and Morgan Elliot about their incredible finishes and if they plan on using their Golden Tickets to Western States. Yes, we do also talk about the GDR course controversy and offer critics of Sean's decision a chance to let their thoughts be known. Even with all that we still manage to talk about Ryan's time at the Barkley Marathons! Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Sean Blanton, Ryan Ploeckelman, Jason Green and Andy Jones-Wilkins break down the Beast Coasts only Western States Golden Ticket Race, the Georgia Death Race. We talk about who we think will take the Golden Tickets and what runners should expect as they make their way through one of the toughest races in the Southeast. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page.www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Brandon Thrower joins me to talk about why he got into Race Directing and some of his favorite trails in North Carolina. I also had a chance to chat with the amazing Chris Coke. 18 years old, has been in a wheelchair his whole life and decided to tackle an ultra after only having gone 5 miles at one time. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page.www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Sean is back and shares his adventures on the Florida trail, and we chat with Shaun Pope about his recent FKT on a brutal Beast Coast 100k course called "Pitchell". Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page.www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Liz Canty and Jackie Merritt host this episode! Bethany Patterson joins Liz and Jackie to talk about trying to balance running and motherhood and some of the interesting challenges that it creates. Then Maddie Giegold joins the ladies to talk about the Trail Sisters and their mission to bring Trail Running to all women. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page.www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Amanda Morris crushed the Mt. Mitchell Challenge 40 miler running the second fastest time in the race's long history in horrible weather and rough trail conditions. Amanda joins us to talk about the that race, but also what lessons she has learned from her past failures in races and how she has turned those into a string of podium finishes. Jennifer Hawkins also joins us to talk about being a busy mother of 5 and how she still finds time to race at least once a month. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page.www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Imagine running 50 miles not on a trail but the beach, that's the Destin Beach 50 Miler. We talk to RD Zane Holscher about why he started the race and some of the interesting challenges he has to overcome directing a beach race. We also have a chat with Dawn Lisenby about her Florida races on the Atlantic side of Florida. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page. www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

He is an artist by day and an incredible runner on the weekends, Andrew Catanese joins us to talk about running a 3:45 at the Cloudland Canyon 50k, why he started running, and which world is more weird, the Art World, or the Ultra World. We also chat with Katelyn Buress about finishing her first 50k at Cloudland Canyon and how an experience volunteering at the Georgia Death Race inspired her to leave the world of road marathons and join the wild world of trails. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page. www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Sean tells us about his recent extreme DNF at a 50k, and we talk with John Storkamp about his recent finish at the Arrowhead 135 in Minnesota. Always a cold race, but this year because of the Polar Vortex it was colder than usual with wind chills at 60 below zero. John is also the Race Director of the Superior Races and more, and I think we may have convinced Sean to take a trip up to Minnesota. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page. www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Think you have to go out west to run a 200 mile trail ultra? On this episode we spotlight two 200 mile ultras here on the Beast Coast. Richard Higgins talks about finishing the H9 Fierce Dragon 200, a race that had 4 finishers this year and boasts 68,000 feet of vertical gain. Then we talk to Chuck Schultz and Melissa Pizarro, a husband and wife team that have had success in love and running at the Potawatomi 200 in Illinois. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page. www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Pat Reagan fills in for Sean as Co-host on this episode. Michelle Mclellan joins us to talk about running over 100 ultras in just a few years and how she keeps it fun. We also chat with Michelle Magagna a runner in Michigan who is undefeated in her ultra career. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page. www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Ryan, Sean and AJW have a fun chat with the winners of the East Coast Ultra Runners of the Year. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page. www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Matt Imberman joins us to talk about trail running in New York City, and Andy Jones-Wilkins talks about how to plan out your year so that 2019 is your best year of running. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page. www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Ryan, Sean, Jason and Stafford are joined by friends old and new for this tender, warm, offensive Christmas gathering. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page. www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Controversy struck the trail running world recently when it was announced that the Spartan Race company would be charging a $20 Spectator Fee at the finish lines of their new race series. One of the Race Directors for the Spartan series, Charlie Engle calls in to explain the fee. Then we have a lively round table discussion with Sean, Andy Jones-Wilkins and Jason Green about the fee and a Facebook group that hates Sean Blanton. Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page. www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast

Kassandra Marin tells us all about a race in New England with an entry fee of $20 and a potluck item, and about setting a new course record at that race. Heather Simon also joins us to talk about the Chattanooga 100 that had absolutely horrible weather this year and how she only wanted to quit for a second or two. We also talk about Christmas music, because why not?! Support the podcast by making a monthly pledge to our Patreon page. www.patreon.com/eastcoasttrailandultrapodcast