The Problem with Hating UTMB

UTMB is the center of trail running for one week every year, and somehow the people most frustrated by it keep showing up. After a week in Chamonix, I came home thinking the problem with hating UTMB is that the race keeps complicating the argument against it.The fan experience is better than the criticism suggests, TDS might be the hardest race of the week, the women are racing with ego, and some of the most interesting parts of UTMB have almost nothing to do with racing. Ten observations from inside the chaos, including what brands keep getting wrong, what Chamonix reveals about status in trail running, and why everyone should be reading Raz Rauf.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Topics / Timestamps00:00 Introduction02:36 The Critics Are at UTMB08:12 UTMB Doesn’t Have a Fan Problem12:24 TDS Might Be the Hardest Race at UTMB16:26 The DNSs Aren’t About Professionalization20:38 The Women Are Racing With Ego24:57 UTMB Isn’t Just About Running28:20 The Ultimate UTMB Flex Is Not Needing Chamonix30:34 Brands: Embrace the Chaos32:21 Read Raz Rauf. Read Running Sucks.35:45 Limiting Brand Activations Made UTMB Better - The Chamonix Mayor was RightResources / LinksLike the Wind | Run Culture LiveRunning Sucks - Raz RaufBorderlands.ccRelated EpisodesCocodona Has a Fan Problem----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack