The yr 2023 was fairly a yr on the planet of ultramarathoning, and I absolutely count on 2024 to be yet one more eventful yr.
It’s in that context that, in my final column of 2023, I’m sharing my 5 2024 predictions for the world of ultrarunning within the yr forward.
1. Progress of Mother and Pop Occasions
Over the second half of 2023, there was appreciable consideration paid to a few of the large-scale international ultra-trail occasions. A lot of this consideration has been detrimental and I consider it will result in athletes returning to small, low-key occasions in an effort to “vote with their wallets.”
Definitely, I don’t see the large-scale occasions hurting in any respect, nevertheless it appears to me to be an excellent alternative for organizers of small occasions to capitalize on runners’ need to “go small.”
Adam Merry on his method to win the 2022 Moab Purple Scorching 55k. Photograph: Mad Moose Occasions
2. Professionalization of Ultramarathon Teaching
Ultramarathon teaching has come a great distance since I first started teaching Western States 100 athletes in 2010. Certainly, the proliferation of teaching corporations and on-line teaching sources has exploded together with the game.
In 2024, I consider we are going to see a rise within the professionalization of ultramarathon teaching with extra coaches shifting to full-time teaching and extra in individual conferences and workshops geared particularly to teaching.
AJW with six of the eight athletes he coached for the 2022 Western States 100 (left to proper): Dario Zea, Gina Harcrow, Theo Wirth, AJW, Tom Rauen, Matt Marino, and Andrew Messina. Photograph courtesy of AJW.
3. Giant Sponsorship Offers
Earlier this yr the Hong Kong 100k, which takes place in January, introduced that Anta Sports activities can be the brand new title sponsor for the occasion.
Anta Sports activities, the third largest producer of sporting items general after Nike and Adidas, enters the ultra-sponsorship area at a time after I consider we are going to see extra big-ticket corporations leaping into sponsor occasions because the mainstream international attain of path working continues to increase.
4. Excessive Climate Occasions
The development of maximum climate occasions adversely impacting path and extremely occasions has, sadly, been happening for a number of years now.
I see this persevering with in 2024 with warmth, floods, hearth, and different results of local weather change inflicting race postponements, reroutes, and cancellations world wide. Race organizers will proceed to be challenged by these elements and athletes will likely be pressured to plan for them.
Extreme flood injury on the route of the Vermont 100 Mile in 2023, which led to the occasion’s cancellation. Photograph: Vermont 100 Mile
5. Progress within the Recognition of 200-Mile and Longer Races
The 200-mile phenomenon is right here to remain, with many 2024 occasions already offered out or rising exponentially from previous years.
Now, within the yr forward, I believe we’ll see a increase in occasions even longer than 200 miles. I’m predicting 300- and even 400-mile races on the horizon as ultrarunners’ need to push themselves tougher and additional continues to develop.
Sabrina Verjee on her method to successful the 2022 Tor des Géants. Photograph: KnowJack Media
There you’ve got it, my predictions for 2024 in ultrarunning.
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. Obsidian Stout is considered one of their authentic beers first launched within the early Nineties. Deep and darkish just like the its namesake rock, Obsidian is a wealthy and creamy stout good for New Yr’s Eve!
Name for Feedback
- What are your predictions for the brand new yr?
- And what are your individual large working targets for 2024?
