Welcome To Episode 2!
Welcome back to Inside Aravaipa – we are really on a roll here & Episode 2 was another jam-packed week of updates, stories and behind-the-scenes insights. If you missed the livestream (Noon on Tuesdays) or just want a written version, here’s your chance to catch up. We covered everything from my personal training kicking off with a 3+ week run streak in August and UTMB FOMO to a deep dive on the new Sterling Silver Ticket Series, race recaps, and even some exciting livestream announcements. It’s all part of my goal to keep you connected to what’s happening across Aravaipa and our broader trail community.
Inside Aravaipa #2 Key Takeaways & Topics Covered
Run Streak & Training Chatter
I kicked off the show talking about my own current run streak (currently at 23 days) and how I’m finally doing some structured workouts again. I joke about being the worst athlete for my coach because I always seem to add mileage and push paces harder than prescribed, including today’s 3 mile workout (targeted for 6:50 minute/mile pace which I averaged more like 6:30). It’s a good reminder that even for those of us running events and covering the sport, we still wrestle with training discipline and over-enthusiasm. If you want to follow my running journey, you can find me on Strava.
UTMB Week FOMO
It’s UTMB week, and the global trail scene is buzzing. Every pro, brand and meme account seems to be in Chamonix living their best lives, while we’re holding it down in Phoenix. I admitted to having some FOMO seeing all the content from France, but also reminded our viewers that there’s plenty happening stateside too. If you want full UTMB coverage, go hit FreeTrail or iRunFar, but if you want Aravaipa news and community updates, that’s what this show is all about.
Sterling Silver Ticket Series Feature
The main focus this week was a deep dive into the Sterling Silver Ticket Series for the Angeles Crest 100. Similar to Western States’ Golden Tickets, AC now has a way for runners to bypass the lottery by earning a “sterling silver ticket.” We officially announced that Aravaipa’s That’s No Moon 50 Mile will be a qualifier starting this fall—the top two men and women get automatic AC100 entry. It’s part of an effort to build hype and prestige around one of the country’s classic mountain 100-milers.
Inside AC100 & Why It’s Special
I spent some time sharing my own history with AC100 and what makes it unique. The course runs through the San Gabriel Mountains above Los Angeles with huge climbs, rugged trails, and stunning night views of the city lights below. Jim O’Brien’s course record from the early ’90s still stands, which shows how challenging it is. The race recently announced it’s moving back to October in 2026, which should mean cooler temps and maybe faster times. Personally, I’m eyeing a return to run it myself.
Other Sterling Silver Qualifying Races
Beyond That’s No Moon, the series already includes some legendary SoCal and AZ races: Ray Miller 50M, Avalon 50M on Catalina Island, Sean O’Brien (both 50M and 100K), Old Pueblo 50M in southern Arizona, and Leona Divide. We walked through what makes each event special and why they fit as AC100 qualifiers—tough mountain courses, good competition, and strong community vibes. The goal is to get more runners excited about AC100 and hopefully see deeper elite fields.
Jackrabbit Jubilee Recap
This past weekend’s Jackrabbit Jubilee at Nardini Manor was a scorcher—temps over 100°F—but the community energy was incredible. Fixed-time events are special because you see all ages and abilities sharing the same loop. We had everything from first-time marathoners grinding for 11 hours to Lindsay Costelnik setting a new 6-hour course record. I also shared a personal story about Jerry Schuster, who 20 years ago gave me advice during my first ultra and was back out there at age 70 still cranking miles. It’s a perfect example of the multi-generational spirit of ultrarunning.
Westminster Night Trail Recap
In Colorado, we debuted the Westminster Night Trail, a rebrand of an existing race into a nighttime experience. We added 35K and 50K options, brought in DJ Jumpsuit for music, and created an approachable way for people to try night trail running. The turnout was great, with several local run clubs showing up and a lot of first-time night runners. We want these kinds of events to be fun and a little magical, giving people a safe way to explore running after dark.
Mogollon Monster Fire Status
Last episode we talked about the Washington Fire threatening part of the Mogollon Monster 100 course. This week we shared the great news: the fire is 98% contained, restrictions are lifted, and the forest is open. The fire perimeter never hit the course and we expect to run the full route. We’re waiting on final confirmation from the Forest Service, but things look good for this year’s race.
Desert Runner Trail Series Revamp
We teased some big updates to the Sonoran Desert Cup portion of our Desert Runner Trail Series. After a great first year, we’re evolving the format to include both sub-ultra and ultra distances, like McDowell Mountain Frenzy 50K and Mesquite Canyon 50K. Damn Good Run 26K will serve as the championship race, and we’ll implement a points system with special recognition for the top male and female “Cactus King & Queen.” It’s all about building fun rivalries and showcasing our incredible desert courses.
Upcoming Races & Registration Alerts
We previewed two events happening over Labor Day weekend: Black Bear Trail Races in New Hampshire and Rock Hawk 50K in Colorado (rescheduled from a snow-out). We also reminded everyone that September 1 brings a wave of registration openings: Big Pine Blackout, Royal Gorge, North Fork, Ram Party, and more. Plus, several flagship races like Cocodona and Tucson Marathon have price increases coming up—early entry saves you money.
Mountain Outpost Livestream Preview
Finally, we shared exciting plans from our media arm. September will feature live coverage of Run Rabbit Run (Sept 12–13), Mammoth Trail Fest, and the inaugural Mammoth 200. The Mammoth 200 is especially exciting—a single-loop 200-miler with a stacked field and Cocodona-level livestream production. If you liked our Coca coverage, you’ll want to mark your calendar for late September.
Looking Ahead
Thanks for tuning in to Episode 2. We’ll keep refining it as we go, and your feedback helps. Leave a comment on the blog, YouTube, or reply to our newsletter with what you want to see covered. Thanks for following along and supporting all the things we have going on—it means the world. See you next week with more updates, announcements, and a look inside our crazy, wonderful trail world.