🔥 The ultimate UTMB 2025 preview + trail running chaos! 🔥In this jam-packed episode of The Next Aid Station, Jake and Mick break down their bold UTMB 2025 predictions, asking whether Hayden Hawks or any American can finally topple the French. They share their Fantasy Free Trail top-10 picks for both the men’s and women’s races, unpack the wild story of the $3.7M Miami Heat jersey theft, and pitch a high-stakes runner vs. mountain biker 50-mile showdown. The conversation also dives into Joe Korsmo’s Broken at 300 documentary, with reflections on why DNFs matter, and explores Tom Evans’ perspective on fatherhood vs. athletic greatness. Beyond the racing world, they debate whether shorter trail races could one day surpass 100-milers in popularity, before closing with listener shoutouts, hilarious fan messages, and a look ahead to exciting upcoming guests.

Timestamps:00:00 – Will the French sweep the UTMB podium? 🇫🇷00:24 – Welcome back to The Next Aid Station 🎙️01:12 – UTMB vs Western States: which is bigger?03:20 – The time zone problem for American fans ⏰04:05 – Fantasy Free Trail picks revealed05:46 – Inside jokes & the “six-seven” chant 😂07:07 – Miami Heat security guard scandal: $3.7M jersey theft 🏀09:26 – LeBron’s stolen Finals jersey sold for $100K12:30 – Prison time for a cop turned thief 🚔14:12 – Most valuable jerseys in sports history15:29 – Listener DM: “You guys are God’s silliest gooses” 🪿18:00 – Convincing your spouse to let you race (the eternal struggle)20:39 – Hobby wars: golf guy vs ultra guy vs cyclist guy23:12 – Jake challenged to finally run DC Peaks 50 🏔️24:03 – Runner vs mountain biker showdown idea 🚴‍♂️🏃‍♂️29:09 – Stakes: a Bear 100 entry on the line 🐻30:36 – Plans to livestream the man vs bike race33:57 – Joe Korsmo’s Broken at 300 documentary review 🎥35:27 – Why sharing DNFs matters in ultrarunning38:00 – Tom Evans: “I’d rather be the best dad than the best athlete” 👨‍👧40:02 – Can you be both a world-class runner and a great parent?45:22 – Will anything ever challenge UTMB’s dominance?48:21 – Could shorter trail races surpass ultras in popularity?50:57 – UTMB’s tradition vs the Super Bowl model 🏟️56:01 – Plans for The Next Aid Station to go global 🌍58:09 – UTMB women’s top-10 picks (Courtney, Katie, Abby & more)01:07:08 – Men’s picks: Americans vs French showdown01:20:00 – Can Hayden Hawks deliver America a UTMB win? 🇺🇸01:28:05 – French dominance and the “all-French podium” nightmare01:39:00 – Ping pong showdown with a Chinese businessman 🏓01:44:23 – Hardrock’s lottery system explained01:47:04 – Odds of a French-free podium at UTMB01:52:09 – Trail running in Japan? Mount Fuji dreams 🇯🇵01:52:29 – Listener comments & community shoutouts ❤️01:56:16 – Mediocre Amateur guest announcement01:59:51 – Final fan messages + hilarious age banter02:00:48 – Next week: Christian Allen live in the studio 🎉👉 If you love trail running, ultras, or just good storytelling, this is the episode for you.

🔥 Trail running gets wild in this episode of The Next Aid Station! 🔥From White Pine 50 race stories to the UTMB preview and even a Krispy Kreme–fueled 50 miler, Jake, Mick, and special guest Zach (@trailswithzach) deliver a mix of comedy, controversy, and real talk about ultrarunning.Timestamps:00:00 – Race drama recap & “offended race directors”00:45 – Welcome back to The Next Aid Station + introducing Zach (@trailswithzach)01:15 – White Pine 50 finish line showdown (with a 72-year-old legend)02:40 – Mick “wins” the women’s 60–69 division 😂03:30 – Why “67” is cooler than “69” for Gen Z05:20 – Kings Peak in 6 hours & viral YouTube video06:30 – FaceTiming from the summit & trail “tandem dump” bonding 🤝07:55 – Zach’s first ultra (DC Peaks 50) & sub-9hr goals09:20 – Rice Krispies + applesauce fueling strategy at Bear 10011:00 – White Pine 50 recap: Sarah Humble wins overall!13:00 – “Guy on the Left” turns into a race celebrity14:20 – Course marking challenges & cows eating flags 🐄15:45 – Confessions: cutting the course & whistleblower jokes18:00 – Trekking pole fail: ditching them before the big climb20:30 – Vermont Long Trail FKT: 272 miles in 3.5 days22:00 – Timpanogos FKT debate (Zach vs. Carl Meltzer)24:00 – Christian Allen’s Nike pic & running gossip25:45 – Viral moment: college runner’s “wardrobe malfunction” 😳28:00 – More Long Trail suffering & mental breakdowns30:00 – Zach’s video style & recognition on the trails31:00 – New format: “Chef Zach” + grasshopper protein bars 🦗34:00 – Working with Chela & YouTube growth strategy36:00 – Censorship in China: losing 30M subscribers overnight38:30 – Heading to Canada with Mediocre Amateur40:30 – Running 50 miles on Krispy Kreme donuts 🍩43:30 – Chela insoles & Anthony Costales comeback45:00 – Leadville recap: David Roche’s course record49:00 – Why ultras need better livestreaming (and why Leadville missed out)52:30 – Destination Trails controversy & being “shunned”58:00 – Free speech, blocking, & race politics in ultrarunning01:03:30 – Reflecting on Tahoe 200 & race director conflicts01:05:30 – Camille Herron’s hilarious basketball videos01:07:15 – UTMB preview: American contenders vs Europeans01:10:30 – Francesco Puppi, Eli Hemming & podium picks01:16:00 – Jim Walmsley’s emotional UTMB breakthrough ❤️01:17:30 – Dreaming of racing UTMB someday01:20:00 – Future of ultra livestreaming: heart rate, glucose, wearables01:25:00 – Strava dark mode & hiding workouts01:27:00 – Funniest listener comments & fan moments01:32:00 – Wrapping up with laughs & gratitudeThis episode is packed with laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, and big-picture insights into the sport we love.👉 If you’re into trail running, ultras, or just good banter, hit SUBSCRIBE for more!

🏆 Fresh off a Bigfoot 200 win, Killian Korth joins us in-studio for a deep dive into his race strategy, aid station efficiency, and how he plans to sweep the Triple Crown with a Moab 240 victory.We also debate Leadville predictions (Cam Hanes vs. Truett Haines), discuss the David Roche Western States DNF, and talk training for Moab’s long flat sections.

📌 Subscribe for more ultrarunning stories, elite insights, and race strategy breakdowns.