The soul of sport – iRunFar

I recently became aware of a qualification policy implemented by the High Lonely 100 Mile Race organization in 2021. The policy, which identifies the races that serve as qualifiers for High Lonesome, states that runners must meet one of the following four standards to qualify for the 2023 edition:

1. Complete a 50-mile or 100-kilometer trail race between 1/1/2022 and 12/31/2022 (No UTMB racing allowed.)
2. Complete a 100-mile trail race (no UTMB races allowed) between 01/01/2020 and 12/31/2022.
3. Finish the 2022 Sawatch 50/50.
4. Achieve at least Hancock under limits during the High Lonesome 100 Mile 2022.

The policy further explains why the event excludes UTMB races from its qualifying events:

“Because of UTMB’s partnership with Ironman, we no longer feel that their company or races reflect the values ​​of this sport. Furthermore, they consistently fail to take action for the most important needs of the sport, namely gender equity, delayed pregnancy and transgender/non-binary entries. For a million dollar race and a platform at the forefront of our sport, they constantly show that their priorities are unrelated to sport. As such, we will not recognize UTMB finishes as qualifiers and will encourage runners to seek out races that put community, sport and the environment first, rather than those whose sole purpose is to maximize revenue.”

Zach Miller outboxed Maggie Guterl during the 2021 High Lonesome 100 Mile. Photo: Hilary Matheson

As someone who has been in the sport for over three decades, I understand that race organizers can make whatever decision they want regarding the rules for their events, and indeed events have historically excluded other events for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless, I find this politics particularly fascinating and provocative.

There’s no doubt that UTMB – and the entire line of races that spawned it – is big business. The money invested in the production of these events has to be exceptional. Additionally, many in the ultrarunning community have seen cause to question the motives behind UTMB’s partnership with the Ironman Group, which launched in 2021. High Lonesome’s policy is clearly an example of this.

However, from my perspective, I have some concerns about this policy and possibly the others that may result.

First, it’s divisive. Whether intentional or not, High Lonesome’s policy has the effect of dividing the running community into “UTMB runners” and “non-UTMB runners.” By forcing athletes to make this black and white choice, High Lonesome continues the division we see in so many parts of society today. Who says the random 100km trail race I run as my High Lonesome qualifier is 100% reflective of the values ​​of the sport? Instead of pointing the finger specifically at a single group of races, why not just list accepted qualifiers like western states 100 and hard rock 100 does? That would be far less pointed and would allow runners to make their own decisions without influencing them one way or the other.

The 2022 UTMB Men’s podium (left to right): 2nd Matthieu Blanchard, 1st Kilian Jornet and 3rd Tom Evans. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

Second, it is conjectural. How do I know that the values ​​of UTMB and Ironman do not “reflect the values ​​of the sport”? I understand that from the outside, the UTMB/Ironman partnership may seem like an attempt to increase the commercialization of the sport and allow for-profit racing to thrive while the little guy suffers. But in the end, how do we really know that this approach will inevitably compromise the values ​​of the sport? Is it actually possible that it even improves them?

Let’s take the example of Grindstone 100 Mile in Virginia, which recently announced it would be Grindstone Running Festival by UTMB. I’ve been a runner and volunteer at Grindstone for over a decade and it’s safe to say it’s as down to earth as they come. race director Clark Seeland and his team create a memorable and meaningful event for hundreds of people each year in the true “spirit of ultra”. Involving the local community in the race, caring for the precious environment through which the race passes and treating all runners equally are hallmarks of Grindstone. Instead of immediately marking Grindstone as sold out and banning it from a qualifier, how about we give it a shot? Maybe a chance to redefine what a “by UTMB” race is and could be? Wouldn’t that be in line with the values ​​of our sport – to be as inclusive as possible?

Kathleen Cusick, 2017 Grindstone 100 mile winner. Photo: Eco-X Sports

Maybe I’m being naïve, but I imagine UTMB/Ironman saying to Clark, “Hey Clark, this is your race and we want to learn from you.” Sure, I’m guessing they have their marketing and production teams and everything all that goes with it, but I also can’t imagine Clark agreeing to become a UTMB race without having certain expectations that the race would be allowed to maintain the integrity that he has built over the years.

I truly believe that it’s up to all of us to be patient, as all successful ultrarunners are, and allow that to happen before we jump to judgment and force people to take sides. Too much of the world today is divided into rival factions. I like to think that regardless of motives or appearances, our sport can transcend this societal tendency and find peace in the middle – provided we give it a chance.

Bottom line!

Jia-Ju Zhao, winner of the men’s Doi Inthanon Thailand 2022 by UTMB – one of the many different events that make up the UTMB World Series. Photo: Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB

AJW’s Beer of the Week

This week’s beer of the week comes from Basic City Beer Company in Waynesboro, Virginia. It’s not often to find a classic British beer at an American craft brewhouse these days, but in Basic City you’ll find Uncle Jim’s Tavern Ale ESB. Uncle Jim’s is a very special ale that takes me back to my student days in Yorkshire. It’s a warm traditional ale made from 100% British ingredients. Worth a stop if passing through Waynesboro on the way to Grindstone.

Please comments

• What are your thoughts?
• Do you agree with High Lonesome’s Qualification Policy and rationale?
• Or do you agree with the author that perhaps a little more time and discussion is needed on this topic?
• Do you think it’s possible for us as a community to find a path to shared values ​​that are present in all trail races and ultramarathons, regardless of ownership and operation?