This week on The Next Aid Station, we break down the matchups trail running has been waiting for: Courtney DeWalter vs. Katie Schide and Caleb Olson vs. Tom Evans. With Hardrock and Western States fields taking shape, the stage is set for some of the most competitive racing the sport has ever seen.

We also get into the upcoming lotteries, Utah’s new 200-miler, Christian Allen’s breakout road performance, the TRE scheduling fiasco, and the latest trail running film debates. From bold hot takes to real analysis, this episode dives into every corner of the sport — the drama, the rivalries, and the races that will define 2025.

In this episode:

• Courtney vs Katie: early Hardrock predictions

• Caleb vs Tom: Western States showdown potential

• Why Western is suddenly stacked again

• Christian Allen’s 2:09 marathon and mountain crossover

• Utah announces a 200-mile race

• Mike McKnight gets into Hardrock

• Chuckanut 50K planning

• Trail running film of the year debates

• College football chaos (and how we’d fix it)

• Scott’s Hurt 100 training updates

Follow the show, share it with a friend, and join us next week as we reveal our official Ultra Runner of the Year picks.

This week on The Next Aid Station, Jake & MIck break down one of the most stacked episodes of the season — from Michael Greer’s 96-hour, 100,000 ft fundraiser, to the wildest NBA All-Star format yet, to a full Siskel & Ebert-style review of every major trail running documentary of 2024.

Plus: the spiciest trail drama of the year, our picks for JFK 50, and why Western States / Hardrock lottery week is about to get VERY interesting.

In this episode:• Michael Greer finishes 225 miles with 100K ft climbing• Community fundraiser for Aaron Jensen & Kelly West• NBA All-Star chaos: USA vs USA vs World• The “Black vs White All-Star Game” bit goes completely off-rails• Guinness World Record: 1,516 threes in one hour?!• Abby Hall + Kilian Jornet confirm return to Western States 2026• FULL Trail Running Film of the Year breakdown• The Finisher, The Chase, King of Moab, Nothing to Lose & more• Major trail drama of the year (McAleenan, USATF, Zach Miller, Arizona Monster)• JFK 50 predictions• Western States & Hardrock lottery hype• Plans for Austin, TRE, Tesla tour, and a quick show break

⸻🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcastshttps://open.spotify.com/show/thenextaidstation

📺 Subscribe on YouTubeDrop your favorite documentary of the year & your JFK 50 picks ↓

#TrailRunning #UltraRunning #Podcast #WesternStates #Leadville #UTMB #MichaelGreer #BarkleyMarathons #TrailDrama #RunningDocumentaries #JFK50

This week on The Next Aid Station, Jake & Mick dive into the strangest mix of trail running news, viral moments, and hot takes you didn’t know you needed. From Trump pardoning a trail runner to HOA rage and NBA rants, it’s equal parts ridiculous and insightful — exactly what you expect when the coffee hits before recording.

In this episode:

00:00 – Kicking off with chaos (and a quick Google search)01:00 – Jake’s “Glizzy Halloween” goes viral04:00 – NBA rant: Zion, Ja, and wasted potential09:30 – Trump pardons a trail runner?!13:50 – The 99% conviction rate rant21:20 – HOA guy named Bart gets roasted24:00 – Mask wars at 30,000 feet31:10 – Western States & Hardrock lottery talk37:40 – Barkley Marathon secrets40:10 – Cross-country shoutout in Spokane42:20 – Caleb Olson’s GT100 win47:00 – Stage races: fun or gimmick?49:30 – Who’s the real UROY?53:50 – Movie critics, Siskel & Ebert roast57:20 – Tunnel Hill records & Camille Herron debate1:04:20 – Jake vs. Scott: alternate course race idea1:07:20 – YouTube comments & Rachel vs. Tara1:20:20 – Camille’s “Men’s Meat x Women’s Race” collab1:23:20 – Sponsors, growth, and what’s next

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