15 ultra running storylines to watch in 2025

Here are 15 storylines that will shape the sport of ultra running in the year ahead.

By Henry Howard

To be sure 2024 was an incredible year for ultra running. But now that the calendar has flipped to 2025, it’s appropriate to also think about what storylines will shape the sport in the year ahead. A year ago I did a similar post, which included some poignant takes. Among them:

• “What new nutrition trends will become popular?” Carbs for the win during 2024 as elite athletes pumped up the carb intake and the results were instant.

• “Will the Barkley Marathons eat its young once again?” I concluded this section by asking, “Will this be the year when a woman finally conquers Barkley?” Yes, indeed, thanks to Jasmin Paris. (Her achievement landed her among my top 25 Most Inspirational Women Ultra Runners of the Year.)

• “Will Jim Walmsley triumph again at Western States”? Affirmative. (His victory placed him among my top 25 Most Inspirational Men Ultra Runners of the Year.)

• “What records will fall?” Among the most notable were David Roche’s record at the Leadville 100, and both the men’s and women’s new marks at the JFK 50, set by David Sinclair and Rachel Drake, respectively. And, of course, Tara Dower’s Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail.

Now looking ahead again, here are 15 storylines in trail and ultra running to monitor during 2025:

What will Katie Schide do after a successful 2024?

Top ultra running storylines to watch in 2025

1. Will Jim Walmsley be healthy for Western States? The course record holder is slated to return this year with the No. 1 men’s bib and will likely enter as the favorite. However, the field will be packed with speedy challengers such as Hayden Hawks, Rod Farvard and David Roche, as well as the anticipated return of Kilian Jornet.

2. How will Katie Schide follow up on 2024? Victories at Western States, UTMB and the Canyons 100K — within roughly four months — is a jaw-dropping feat. Schide is in for Hardrock this year and looks to be the one to beat among the women. I’m going to assume she jumps into another race earlier in the year as a tune-up, much like Canyons primed her for Western in 2024. Can’t wait to see what else she has in store for 2025.

I'm looking forward to seeing Courtney Dauwalter at the Cocodona 250.

3. What will Courtney Dauwalter do next? Last year was another success for the talented ultra runner, repeating her victory at Hardrock (and placing fourth overall) and winning the Ultra Trail Mount Fuji 100 while taking third place overall. This year, she is taking on the Cocodona 250. That takes me back to when she first burst onto the scene in October 2017 when she won the Moab 240 outright. Hard to believe it was that long ago. She also won the Tahoe 200 in 2018, finishing second overall. I’m not sure what she’ll do afterward but I would love to see Dauwalter take a shot at the course record at her hometown race, the Leadville 100. The current record for women was set by Ann Trason in 1994 with a time of 18:06:24.

4. Will Western States change its qualification rules? It’s no secret among ultra runners just how hard it is to get into Western States. A record 9,993 runners with 68,724 tickets applied for the lottery for the 2025 race, surpassing the previous year’s record of 9,388 hopefuls.

5. How Zach Miller perform at Hardrock? In 2024, the talented runner was days away from taking on Hardrock when he came down with appendicitis. This year he is back on the start list and figures to be among the contenders for the victory. Miller’s tenacity, familiarity with mountain races and experience should set him up well to succeed at Hardrock. Plus he’s got a chip on his shoulder from missing out in 2024.

One of my favorite stories of 2024 was Ludovic Pommeret winning Hardrock, then six weeks later finishing fifth overall at UTMB.

6. Which masters athletes will be turning heads in 2025? One of my favorite stories of 2024 was Ludovic Pommeret winning Hardrock, then six weeks later finishing fifth overall at UTMB. Now 49, Pommeret is returning to Hardrock, where of course he can’t be counted out. While there are plenty of younger high-performing athletes, the likes of Pommeret, Jeff Browning and others give hope to other masters athletes.

7. What’s the next evolution in live coverage of races? Thanks to iRunFar, Aravapia Running and others, the coverage of remote trail races has improved significantly in the past few years. The use of drones and commentators have brought the coverage closer to the modern age of live sports feeds. Now that Aravapia mastermind Jamil Coury is publisher of Ultrarunning Magazine, we could see even more innovative and deep coverage in digital and print.

8. What new nutrition trend will emerge? While 2024 seemed to be the year of the carb, I get the sense that the coming year will turn its focus to hydration fueling. Our bodies can only take in so many gels while electrolyte and other drink mixes can infuse more easily digestible carbs. And at the same time, the water-based carbs athletes will be drinking also help with their hydration.

The Western States race was in jeopardy in 2023 after wildfires.

9. How will severe weather impact our trails and races? As I write this the Los Angeles area is being decimated by wildfires. There is no doubt that climate change is real and accelerating. How will the changes in our weather system challenge runners around the world as well as the races we love?

10. Will inclusivity and diversity take a step forward? Efforts to diversify the sport are starting to create necessary change. That is in large part a credit to athletes like nonbinary runner Riley Brady, Coree Woltering and Ryan Montgomery. Through their actions and race performances, they have brought more attention to the LGBQT community. But one thing is for certain: more work needs to be done to fully embrace inclusivity and diversity throughout the sport.

11. How will AI impact the sport? The use of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, technology is progressing at an incredible rate. Its uses in our sport are still being experimented with, as coaches are starting to look at options. What could be on the horizon in 2025 and beyond?

12. What’s next for gravel biking? The interest in the sport will continue to increase but I would imagine there would be a split. Pro and elite cyclists will tap into more races to test themselves while amateurs, runners and other gravel bikers will focus more on the joy and cross-training aspects.

When will we see another woman finish Barkley as Jasmin Paris did in 2024?

13. How will Lazarus Lake make the Barkley Marathons even more challenging? A record five runners — including Jasmin Paris, the first woman finisher — completed the 2024 Barkley Marathons. A year earlier, three men finished — the previous record for most completions in one year. Laz, the mastermind of the unique race, will likely take steps to make the 2025 version even more difficult.

14. What FKTs will be set? Tara Dower, Kilian Jornet and Kyle Curtin were among those who recorded impressive Fastest Known Times (FKTs) last year. What elite runners will ascend to the top of the notable FKT list by the end of this year?

15. What records will fall? In addition to the notable FKTs from 2024, historic course records also fell. Most notable was Matt Carpenter’s previous record at the Leadville 100, now owned by David Roche. As shoe technology improves, athletes get stronger and our understanding of fueling grows, other course records will be in jeopardy. The questions are which ones and who will break them?

What intriguing storylines are you following or are most interested in? Leave a comment on any of my posts or shoot me an email.

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