About this episode
She’s redefining what it means to be an ultrarunner. Rachel Entrekin — physical therapist, 200-mile champion, and one of the fastest-rising names in trail running — joins The Next Aid Station for a raw, unfiltered deep dive into the evolution of the sport, the power of storytelling, and what it really takes to win at the edge of human endurance.From racing at Mammoth and Cocodona to debating UTMB’s dominance, Rachel opens up about everything: the politics of sponsorship, how livestreams are reshaping ultrarunning, and what it feels like to be called the “Queen of 200s.” Whether you’re a diehard fan or training for your first ultra, this is one of the most honest conversations you’ll hear about the sport’s future. Timestamps: ⸻00:00 – Intro: The Men’s Meet x Women’s Race Collab01:00 – Meet Rachel Entrekin: The 200-Mile Queen Arrives03:00 – Running 19 Miles at 7:30 Pace (and Loving It?)05:00 – Beer, Basketball & Blue Moon Confessions07:00 – Rachel on Caitlin Clark & Why Competition Fuels Her08:30 – Can Rachel Beat Courtney Dauwalter? Let’s Talk About It10:30 – DNFs, Redemption & The Drive to Race Again12:00 – Who Gets to Decide What Races Matter?14:00 – Runners vs. Brands: Taking Back the Power16:00 – Why Live Streams Are Changing the Sport18:00 – Making Ultrarunning More Professional — Without Losing Its Soul20:00 – UTMB Is Coming to Utah: What It Means for Local Races23:00 – Are 200-Milers the Future of the Sport?25:00 – How Rachel & Jamil Are Changing Ultrarunning Forever27:00 – The Marketing Power of 200-Milers (and Why Brands Don’t Get It)30:00 – Why Visibility Matters More Than Winning33:00 – Do Prize Purses Even Matter? (Spoiler: No)35:00 – Being Labeled the “200-Mile Specialist” — and Fighting That Box37:00 – Rachel’s Big Goals: Hardrock, UTMB & Beyond40:00 – The Problem With How Athletes Are Paid43:00 – Storytelling Over Podiums: The Real Value of an Athlete46:00 – Branding, Sponsorships & What Runners Get Wrong Online48:00 – How Rachel Nearly Caught Jimmy Elam at Mammoth50:00 – Learning to “Make Moves” — Racing Smarter, Not Harder53:00 – Race Plans, Hardrock Dreams & UTMB Hopes57:00 – How Rachel Plans to Prove She Belongs Among the Best59:00 – Rachel on Inspiring Young Runners (and Her Favorite Fan Moment)01:01:00 – Why Accessibility Matters: Making Elites Relatable01:03:00 – Javelina Predictions: Who She’s Betting On01:06:00 – Rachel’s Next Chapter: From Racing to Commentating01:08:00 – Closing Thoughts: The Future of Ultra Running with Rachel Entrekin 📹 Subscribe for more unfiltered ultrarunning stories:@thenextaidstation