1-star reviews, Hardrock drama, doping fears, and the future of ultrarunning.

In this episode of The Next Aid Station, we take an unfiltered look at where trail and ultrarunning is headed — and why not everyone likes what we have to say.

We read and react to brutal podcast reviews, break down Hardrock lottery controversy, debate Ultrarunner of the Year candidates, and talk openly about money, pressure, and the growing risk of doping as the sport professionalizes.

From Courtney Dauwalter’s future and comeback seasons, to why saying the quiet part out loud gets you 1-star ratings, this episode pulls no punches.

If you care about the direction of trail running — the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable — this conversation is for you.

• 1-star reviews & internet outrage culture

• Hardrock lottery drama & elite selection

• Courtney Dauwalter & Katie Schide predictions

• Ultrarunner of the Year debates

• Prize money, sponsorships & ACG’s impact

• Doping concerns in ultrarunning

• Comeback seasons vs DNFs

• 2026 predictions for the sport

⭐ If you enjoy honest conversations about trail & ultrarunning, consider leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — it helps the show more than you think.

🎧 New episodes every week.

This week on The Next Aid Station, we break down the matchups trail running has been waiting for: Courtney DeWalter vs. Katie Schide and Caleb Olson vs. Tom Evans. With Hardrock and Western States fields taking shape, the stage is set for some of the most competitive racing the sport has ever seen.

We also get into the upcoming lotteries, Utah’s new 200-miler, Christian Allen’s breakout road performance, the TRE scheduling fiasco, and the latest trail running film debates. From bold hot takes to real analysis, this episode dives into every corner of the sport — the drama, the rivalries, and the races that will define 2025.

In this episode:

• Courtney vs Katie: early Hardrock predictions

• Caleb vs Tom: Western States showdown potential

• Why Western is suddenly stacked again

• Christian Allen’s 2:09 marathon and mountain crossover

• Utah announces a 200-mile race

• Mike McKnight gets into Hardrock

• Chuckanut 50K planning

• Trail running film of the year debates

• College football chaos (and how we’d fix it)

• Scott’s Hurt 100 training updates

Follow the show, share it with a friend, and join us next week as we reveal our official Ultra Runner of the Year picks.

This week on The Next Aid Station, Jake & MIck break down one of the most stacked episodes of the season — from Michael Greer’s 96-hour, 100,000 ft fundraiser, to the wildest NBA All-Star format yet, to a full Siskel & Ebert-style review of every major trail running documentary of 2024.

Plus: the spiciest trail drama of the year, our picks for JFK 50, and why Western States / Hardrock lottery week is about to get VERY interesting.

In this episode:• Michael Greer finishes 225 miles with 100K ft climbing• Community fundraiser for Aaron Jensen & Kelly West• NBA All-Star chaos: USA vs USA vs World• The “Black vs White All-Star Game” bit goes completely off-rails• Guinness World Record: 1,516 threes in one hour?!• Abby Hall + Kilian Jornet confirm return to Western States 2026• FULL Trail Running Film of the Year breakdown• The Finisher, The Chase, King of Moab, Nothing to Lose & more• Major trail drama of the year (McAleenan, USATF, Zach Miller, Arizona Monster)• JFK 50 predictions• Western States & Hardrock lottery hype• Plans for Austin, TRE, Tesla tour, and a quick show break

⸻🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcastshttps://open.spotify.com/show/thenextaidstation

📺 Subscribe on YouTubeDrop your favorite documentary of the year & your JFK 50 picks ↓

#TrailRunning #UltraRunning #Podcast #WesternStates #Leadville #UTMB #MichaelGreer #BarkleyMarathons #TrailDrama #RunningDocumentaries #JFK50