The top 10 stories on RunSpirited this year

By Henry Howard

At the end of each calendar year, I review the most popular stories on my website in terms of page views. While I anticipated some of the top 10 making the list for 2024, some others surprised me.

There is a wide range of the most popular stories — some related to coaching tips, two focused on lighting for runners and one that highlighted a unique vantage point of one of the year’s signature moments for ultra racing.

Here are the top 10 stories in 2024:

1. 10 takeaways from the Western States, Hardrock lotteries: After an exciting day of learning who would be selected to the two popular North American 100-milers, I put together a piece that wraps up some of the highlights.
   

2. How cold is too cold to run outside: A guide, written in 2022, for runners on how to approach running in bitter temperatures.
   

3. The best light for running at night: My review of the UltrAspire Lumen 800 Solstice, the best lighting source I’ve ever tried.
   

4. Top 25 most inspirational women ultra runners of 2023: My annual list that highlights the most inspiring women trail and ultra runners of the year, published in late 2023.
   

5. What a nonbinary ultra runner wants you to know: A profile of Riley Brady, which was written in 2022 after they received a Golden Ticket to Western States for a second-place finish at the Javelina Jundred. I’m sure readers found the article again this year after Brady won Javelina with the second-fastest time in race history.

   
   

6. This is the best watch for running: After an older Coros watch was recalled, I received compensation to cover much of the cost of a new one. That prompted this review of the Coros Apex 2 Pro.
   

7. A unique view of David Roche’s Leadville course record: After David Roche broke the longstanding 100-mile record at Leadville, I featured a post on Teddy Bross, who paced Roche the final 38 miles.
   

8. UltrAspire’s waist lamp is a bright idea: When I tried out an UltrAspire waist light for the first time, it was a game changer. A review, written in 2021, still casts relevance.
   

9. How to properly taper for your race: A guide to the all-important taper, written in 2022, but just as relevant today.
   

10. Which compression tights are the best?: A comparison of some popular compression tights by major brands. The post was written in 2017.

What’s ahead for RunSpirited

• In the coming week, I will publish my top 25 Most Inspirational Ultra Runners of the Year, one version for women and another for the men.

• My monthly race director series, which started in January 2024, has been so popular I am continuing it this coming year. The next featured RD will publish in January 2025.

• Don’t miss any of my posts. Subscribe to my free weekly Monday Motivation newsletter, which includes links to each of my articles, as well as a collection of other news, analysis and information that is highly relevant to trail and ultra runners. Visit my home page and click on the subscribe button to receive the free newsletter each week!