Ultrarunning's Council of Elders with John Medinger, David Horton, and Scott Mills | Koopcast Episode 153
Episode overview:
In this episode, AJW speaks with three legends of ultrarunning, John Medinger, David Horton, and Scott Mills, to discuss the current state of the sport and their thoughts about what the future holds for the next generation of Ultrarunners.
Episode highlights:
(26:57) Scott on Western States in 1982: waist belts, running with Aunt Jemima bottles, power bars, aid stations, how access to runner support leads to faster race times
(35:46) The Barkley Marathons: “impossible” pre-1995 Barkley format, learning the Barkleys year after year, difficulty in comparison to Hardrock, David’s role in the final lap directional rule
(58:07) Small races in America: run your local races, differences between the U.S. and Europe
Our conversation:
(0:00) Introduction: AJW covers for Koop, origin of the “Council of Elders”
(1:18) Introducing David: first Hardrock finisher, Barkley finisher, Appalachian Trail records, professor, race director
(4:44) Introducing Scott: 20 finishes at Western States and 10 at Hardrock, Virginia Happy Trails running club, race director
(7:07) Introducing John: race performances, 30 years as a Western States board member, finish line announcer, owner and publisher of Ultra Runner Magazine, race director
(10:35) David on trail maintenance: evolution over the years, weather
(12:47) Organizing volunteers: trail work, taking care of the people who take care of you
(14:26) Scott on trail maintenance: encouraging volunteers via race entry raffles, training runs, instilling passion in the community, giving back
(16:24) East versus west coast: similarities, Massanutten trail maintenance anecdote
(18:49) John on trail maintenance: working around legislation in Marin, working around mudslides and wildfires at Lake Sonoma
(22:08) Why discuss trail maintenance: understanding the preparation required to organize ultramarathon events
(23:36) David on the early days of ultras: aid stations, shoes, changes in gear
(25:51) Banter: “Horton miles”
(26:57) Scott on Western States in 1982: waist belts, running with Aunt Jemima bottles, power bars, aid stations, how access to runner support leads to faster race times
(29:16) Seeking guidance in the early days of ultras: Tom Zhabertan
(31:28) John on the early days of ultras: finding guidance, Specialized water bottles, power bars, the evolution of running with water bottles, AJW’s early days and Ultra Listserv
(35:46) The Barkley Marathons: “impossible” pre-1995 Barkley format, learning the Barkleys year after year, difficulty in comparison to Hardrock, David’s role in the final lap directional rule
(40:13) Scott’s hardest race: age in ultramarathons
(41:46) The inaugural Hardrock: marking the course, impressions, redefining possibility, problems with route finding and streamers, scouting the course
(44:58) Challenges to the future of ultrarunning: growth of the sport, nonprofit versus for-profit events, benefits, lotteries, getting into Hardrock
(50:41) Development of popular ultramarathons: social changes, changing from a small tight-knit community to getting lost in the crowd, challenges of the lottery
(54:26) Camaraderie at Western States: from racing to crewing and commentating, running clubs, seeking community
(56:00) Hellgate 100k: encouraging community, limiting race size, the difficulty of turning away applicants
(58:07) Small races in America: run your local races, differences between the U.S. and Europe
(59:09) Group runs: community outside of racing
(1:00:29) David’s next year: bike racing, Tour Divide, Promised Land, 20th anniversary of Hellgate
(1:02:06) Scotty’s next year: running in the Swiss Alps, encouraging younger runners to volunteer, Western States banter
(1:04:02) John’s next year: Mexico, 50 years of travel, crewing for Cocodona, crewing family, commentating the Western States Golden Hour
(1:06:42) Wrap-up: giving thanks to mentors, the ultrarunning family
(1:08:44) Outro: giving thanks to all of AJW’s guests, signing off
Additional resources:
John: Facebook @johnmedinger
David Facebook @davidhorton
Scott Facebook @scottmills
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Koop’s Social Media
Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
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