Grand Traverse 2025 Recap: Race Prep, Strategy, and Lessons Learned

Setting the Stage: Training for the Grand Traverse

I had circled the Grand Traverse on his calendar as his fall goal race. The 40-mile point-to-point trail run between Crested Butte and Aspen is known for its altitude, technical trails, and big mountain weather. It requires not only physical preparation but also a willingness to problem-solve on the fly.

I entered the race after a summer of steady training with some highs and lows. In this episode, I share that my approach this cycle was about staying consistent, building long-run volume, and sharpening my mental readiness.

Emily Holland, stepping into the co-host role for this episode, set the stage by asking me to walk listeners through not just the race itself but the preparation and mindset that carried me to the start line.

Race Morning: Early Alarms and High Altitude

The Grand Traverse starts in the dark, requiring headlamps and careful logistics. We described the atmosphere of nervous energy as runners gathered in Crested Butte.

“It was an early start, a 6 a.m. start, so you’re lining up with a headlamp, and you know you’re gonna be out there all day.”

We dive into the importance of gear choices in those pre-dawn hours: layers to keep warm, handhelds and bottles organized, and fueling supplies ready to go.

Fueling Strategy and Execution

I went into the race with a clear fueling plan, aiming to take in consistent carbohydrates and fluids.

As the day wore on, things got trickier. The altitude and sustained effort made it harder to eat and drink as much as planned. I shared that my intake slipped late in the race, something I want to improve in future efforts.

Emily pointed out that this is a common challenge for ultrarunners: even with a perfect plan, execution under stress can falter.

Pacing the Miles

One of the hardest parts of a point-to-point ultra is judging effort across changing terrain. I talk about how I managed the opening climbs and descents, balancing patience with competitiveness.

“I felt smooth in the beginning. I let people go. I knew it was gonna be a long day, and I didn’t want to blow up.”

Mid-race, the grind set in. We speak honestly about the mental low points, especially around miles 25-30.

Despite those lows, I tried to stay steady, kept moving forward, and focused on getting to the next aid station.

The Final Miles into Aspen

The descent into Aspen is both exhilarating and punishing. After hours on technical trails, the final downhill taxed tired legs.

It was a mixture of relief and pain as we pushed toward the finish.

“That last climb and descent… it’s brutal. You’re so close, but you’re just hanging on.”

Crossing the finish line in Aspen was a moment of both satisfaction and reflection. We both felt proud of the effort but also saw room for growth in execution.

Top Takeaways from Grand Traverse

1. Preparation matters. Consistency in training builds confidence on race day.

2. Fuel early and often. Sticking to a plan is easier in the first half—don’t fall behind.

3. Expect lows. Every ultra has rough patches; how you respond defines the outcome.

4. Gear and logistics count. Headlamps, layers, and hydration setups make the early miles smoother.

5. Perspective is key. Finish lines are moments, but the real growth happens along the way.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How I trained and prepared for the Grand Traverse

• What race morning logistics look like in the high mountains

• The details of our fueling strategy and what broke down

• How we managed pacing, effort, and mental challenges

• Why Emily Holland emphasizes joy and perspective in the long run

Download this one for your long run this weekend 👇

Partner Programs That Actually Work? Meet Superfiliate. 🚀

If you’ve ever wanted to build an affiliate program without the headache, this is your sign. Superfiliate is the clean, no-BS affiliate platform I’ve been recommending for years — and for good reason.

Whether you’re on the brand side or working with creators, Superfiliate keeps it simple: intuitive setup, effortless tracking, and seamless payouts. No bloated dashboards. No tangled workflows. Just tools that do their job so you can do yours.

Bonus: Superfiliate helps you actually engage your partners with cobranded landing pages, UGC, rewards (cash, credit, gifts!), and more.

If you’re ready to grow your program without growing your stress, head to Superfiliate.com — and tell them I sent you. 💸

How Ultra Trail Cape Town Became a Global Running Destination with Stu McConnachie

Finding a Niche in South African Running

Stu grew up surrounded by running. His dad and uncles ran the Two Oceans Marathon, and early on, he was inspired by the smell of deep heat cream and the larger-than-life figures who competed in those races. He ran cross country at school and excelled, but like many young athletes, drifted into other sports such as rugby and cricket, even chasing a professional cricket career for a time.

After spending time in the U.S., including Boulder and Vail, Stu returned home with a renewed sense of confidence and possibility. A health scare in 2012 coincided with the birth of his son, which shifted his priorities and led him to reconsider his path. Trail running, which had always been simmering in the background, began to take center stage.

The Birth of Ultra Trail Cape Town

At the time, South Africa had iconic road races like Comrades and Two Oceans, but the trail scene lagged behind. UTCT started with the idea of creating a race that could match the prestige of the Cape Epic mountain bike race. Stu and his co-founder saw what was happening in Hong Kong with multiple 100K events selling out and felt Cape Town was ready for something similar.

The first race wasn’t glamorous. Permits limited them to 15 hours of running without night access, and only 17 of the 36 runners finished. Finances were tight, with Stu and his team often going hundreds of thousands of rand into debt each year, borrowing from family and paying it back when the next entries opened. Yet, they reinvested everything into the race, refusing to cut corners, and built credibility step by step.

Community First, Always

One of the smartest moves early on was starting Tuesday Trails, a weekly running group that kept the organizers connected to the broader running community. By running alongside the people they hoped would one day race, Stu and his team built trust, friendships, and volunteer networks. That foundation still shapes the culture of UTCT today: the race isn’t something imposed on the community, but something that grew out of it.

This emphasis on belonging mirrors events like Western States in the U.S., where past champions return as volunteers and supporters. Stu hopes to see the same tradition take hold in Cape Town — a loop where the history of the race becomes a living part of its future.

Sponsorships and Financial Lessons

The business model of UTCT evolved slowly. The first few years leaned almost entirely on entry fees and small sponsorships, with family loans bridging the gaps. It wasn’t until 2017 that a major partner, Salomon, came on board. Other sponsors followed, but Stu never stopped prioritizing the runner experience over quick financial wins.

Big brands helped with gear and visibility, but banks and non-endemic sponsors provided the funding necessary to expand the race. In South Africa, a bank sponsorship is seen as a marker of success, and UTCT has reached that level by showing brands not only participation numbers but also the ripple effect of tourism, media exposure, and community engagement.

Growing the Race and the Field

UTCT now offers multiple distances, including a 100-miler, and attracts international elites. Prize purses have been an important part of that growth, giving athletes from South Africa and beyond a chance to earn recognition and financial reward for their efforts. Stu compares many of the country’s elite runners to boxers, using sport as a way to rise from difficult circumstances. Offering fair prize money is both a way to honor that effort and to build a more competitive field.

The race has also made efforts to draw in road runners from Comrades and Two Oceans, as well as African athletes who might otherwise never consider trail racing. Stu believes the untapped potential of African distance runners is enormous, and with the right incentives, the sport will see a wave of new talent emerge.

Tourism and Economic Impact

About 30% of UTCT participants fly into Cape Town from abroad, often bringing friends or family who stay a week or more. That influx of tourism spending has ripple effects across the city, filling hotels, restaurants, and shops. Stu has leaned on this data to partner with the city of Cape Town and to build the case for more travel and airline sponsorships.

The benefits extend beyond money. International visitors experience the warmth and hospitality of South Africa’s trail community, often leaving with a deeper appreciation for the people and the place. For Stu, this blend of world-class competition and local connection is what makes UTCT unique.

Protecting Culture in a Commercial Era

As big money enters trail running globally — from shoe brands to corporate media — Stu is careful about who UTCT partners with. For him, sponsorships are not just about the check but about alignment. He wants partners who share the goal of growing the race without pricing out runners or diluting the experience.

He’s proud of the balance they’ve struck so far: UTCT has grown into a world-class event without losing its community roots. Still, he’s aware of the risks and feels a strong responsibility to protect the culture of the sport, even as opportunities for growth multiply.

What Running Means to Stu

Beyond logistics, sponsorships, and growth, Stu remains grounded in what running itself represents. He sees it as the ultimate equalizer — a place where CEOs and dishwashers stand on the same start line with the same chance to finish. Through Tuesday Trails and UTCT, he has witnessed people transform themselves, building confidence and resilience step by step.

Running, for him, is about inspiration. Elites inspire amateurs, and amateurs inspire elites, especially those who come through in the golden hour at the end of a long race. That cycle of inspiration, he believes, is what keeps people coming back.

Takeaways from Stu’s Journey

1. Start small, build big. UTCT’s first race had 36 starters. Today, it’s a global destination because the team reinvests every year and never stops improving.

2. Community is everything. Tuesday Trails wasn’t just a running group — it was the heartbeat of UTCT’s growth.

3. Sponsorship is about alignment, not just money. Brands came and went, but the ones that stuck shared the race’s values.

4. Protect the culture. Growth is good, but only if it keeps the spirit of the sport intact.

5. Running levels the playing field. Whether you finish first or in the golden hour, every runner has a place in the story.

Looking Ahead

Stu has no interest in selling UTCT, despite offers. For him, the race is more than a business. It’s a calling, a way to give back to his community and to show the world what South African trail running can offer. As the sport continues to grow, UTCT will remain a place where global ambition meets local pride — and where every runner has the chance to be part of something bigger.

Get a Clearer Picture of Your Health 📈

I’m thrilled to introduce our new partner, Eternal — a performance health company built for runners, endurance athletes, and anyone serious about their training. Their two-hour in-person performance physical goes way beyond a standard checkup with mobility assessments, metabolic testing, bloodwork, and a full movement analysis from real experts.

Whether you’re chasing PRs or just want a clearer picture of your health, Eternal helps you run harder and longer. Book your performance physical at eternal.co, use the code FTLR for 10% off, and keep doing what you love for years to come.

About Jon Levitt and For The Long Run

Jon is a runner, cyclist, and podcast host from Boston, MA, who now lives in Boulder, CO. For The Long Run is aimed at exploring the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated.

Follow Jon on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.