One of the Greatest Ultrarunners Reflects on the Sport’s Evolution

Scott Jurek has won nearly every major ultra-distance trail and road event, and he’s stayed deeply connected to the sport even after his competitive peak. Whether he’s volunteering at races, coaching, writing, or adventuring with his family, Scott continues to inspire generations of runners with his integrity, humility, and endurance wisdom.

In this conversation, Scott Jurek joins us in person in Boulder, Colorado, for an honest look at his life in ultrarunning and the questions and challenges facing the sport today.

“Running is something I hope will always be a part of my life—it just changes. I want to stay adaptable and keep showing up.”

Endurance as a Philosophy of Life

Scott dives into how his upbringing shaped his capacity to suffer and how losing his mom physically to MS at a young age helped him build the emotional endurance ultrarunning demands.

He also opens up about his reluctant beginnings in the sport, his early influences, and the unexpected ways running took over his life.

“We all have our own journeys. For some, it’s a 5K. For some, it’s walking out the door. We can all find our own adventures.”

Why Ultrarunning Needs to Change

From injury rates to over-racing and outdated qualification systems, Scott shares pointed insights on what needs to evolve in competitive trail and ultra racing.

He advocates for more athlete-first policies, a reevaluation of year-round racing schedules, and new ways of defining success.

“There’s a lot of pressure now—from sponsorship, media, everything. It’s not sustainable the way some pros are racing. We’ve got to protect the long game.”

Sustainable Longevity and Redefining Goals

Scott also offers a refreshing take on longevity, aging, and legacy in sport. He shares how he’s shifted from elite competition to family adventures, how he’s managing injuries, and how he thinks about performance and purpose now in his 50s.

“I want to be ready when a friend calls and says, ‘Let’s go run this route.’ That’s what I’m training for now.”

What You’ll Learn

• Scott Jurek’s journey from reluctant runner to ultra legend

• His perspective on pain, injury, and adaptation

• How the sport of trail and ultra running is changing—and why it must

• Insights on parenting, purpose, and continuing to grow

• What he believes endurance really teaches us about being better humans

Listen to the GOAT of trail running on this week’s episode with Scott Jurek 👇

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Join us on July 19th, beat the heat, and test the PUMA Deviate NITRO™ Elite Trail shoes 👟

In partnership with Boulderthon and Fleet Feet, we are excited to demo the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite Trail shoe (one of my absolute favorite trail running shoes!!). Join us at 8 am for either a 5k or 5-mile trail run option at the Lefthand Trailhead and demo Puma's new exciting trail super shoe.

Drinks and snacks will be provided as well as a raffle for two pairs of the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail and maybe some other brand goodies! 👀

Register to join us below 👇

Keeping Integrity in Your Race with UTMB Founders Michel and Catherine Poletti

From Music Shops to Mountain Trails

Before UTMB became a household name, Michel and Catherine were software developers and small business owners in France. Their backgrounds weren’t in sport — Catherine’s was in music and psychology — but they shared a love for nature and a desire to build something meaningful in their region.

When they launched the first edition of the race in 2003, they expected 300 runners. Over 700 showed up. And from that moment on, it was clear they had created something powerful.

Designing for Connection, Not Just Distance

As the event scaled, the Polettis added races like CCC, OCC, and MCC, not just to accommodate demand but to connect new communities. Every addition had a purpose — for example, a shorter race specifically for locals or young athletes, or a longer adventure-style course for those looking for an experience beyond the standard ultra format.

Each race was built with the same attention to volunteer culture, natural beauty, and race integrity as the flagship event.

Expanding Globally with Values at the Core

In 2021, UTMB Group partnered with the Ironman Company to expand the World Series globally. The Polettis speak candidly about their decision not to sell the company, choosing instead to retain majority ownership and ensure the event's ethos remained intact.

They emphasize that expansion only happens in collaboration with local organizers and that respect for culture, landscape, and runners is non-negotiable.

Growth, Business, and Community Can Coexist

The Polettis push back on the idea that money inherently corrupts trail running. For them, the question is not whether money is involved, but how it’s used. Their guiding philosophy: use business as a tool to support people and the planet.

They cite Patagonia’s founder-led model as inspiration, and share how they’ve used UTMB to elevate environmental stewardship, support new brands, and provide space for athletes of all ages, levels, and backgrounds.

Creating an Experience, Not Just a Race

From the start, Catherine wanted UTMB to be more than a race. She introduced music, video, and storytelling to help spectators feel like part of the event. The energy around UTMB today — from live streams to global buzz — is a direct result of that early vision to build connection and legacy through the senses.

UTMB wasn’t just designed for elite athletes. It was designed for volunteers, fans, families, and future runners, too.

Get pumped for UTMB and listen to this one below ⬇️

The Adventure Buddy You Need 👇

GOES is your essential outdoor guide that keeps you informed and ready, no matter where the trail takes you. Created by wilderness medicine doctors, this app helps you level up your knowledge, plan smarter trips, and handle medical emergencies with more confidence, even when you're far off the grid.

Let’s say you’re out in the backcountry on a long trail run, out of cell service, and something goes wrong. With GOES, you can literally tap on a body part, and the app will walk you through how to triage the situation, assess the level of risk, and take the right next steps. It’s like having a wilderness first responder in your pocket. 🤯

Honestly, it’s an absolutely essential piece of my adventure gear—and one I won’t head out on trails without. Download yours today! Use code 25FTLR30 for 30% off an annual GOES+ plan. GOES+ gives you access to the rewards program plus much more additional medical content and our emergency assessment tool.

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.