About this episode
The 2025 DC Peaks 50 was one for the history books — the wettest race day in Utah since 1901.Jake and Mick break down the chaos, heartbreak, and triumph from the most brutal DC Peaks ever. From record-breaking rain to hypothermic runners, course controversies, and behind-the-scenes decisions that saved the race — this episode is a raw, hilarious, and brutally honest look inside what really happens when nature decides to fight back.🌧️ Topics include: • Record-setting rain & race-day chaos • The DNF and aid station controversy • Emotional behind-the-scenes race directing • What went wrong, what went right, and what’s changing next year • How the community came together through absolute madnessTIMESTAMPS:00:00 – The Storm of the Century: DC Peaks Recap Begins01:05 – “I’d rather run it than race direct” – The chaos behind the scenes03:00 – Record-breaking rain: The wettest day in Salt Lake since 190104:08 – Finally! The best-marked course ever (after last year’s bib disaster)05:14 – Runners getting lost, DNF stories, and hypothermic drops06:16 – Stats that shocked everyone: Record signups & finish rates08:07 – Would anyone have finished a 100-miler in that weather?09:34 – Battle cries in the storm: “Bring it!” moments on course10:10 – Scott’s DNF story: freezing, shaking, and choosing to call it12:09 – Aid station chaos and family takeover at Zig Zag13:33 – Parking nightmares and single-lane gridlock stories15:16 – Crew access debate: Should races go full UTMB-style?17:56 – Keeping the community vibe alive—without the red tape20:01 – Weather gone wild: 2025 joins the list of ultra races from hell22:08 – Elite interviews coming soon (Eli White & Ashley Molina)23:41 – Course controversy: Runners skipping aid stations26:06 – The DQ debate: When skipping an aid station meets survival mode30:15 – Chaos at the finish line: hypothermia, missed podium photos, and soup triage35:28 – The “Master Debate”: Should we have moved race day to Sunday?37:09 – Why the race stayed Saturday—and why that was the right call40:15 – The alternate course that humbled everyone42:02 – The angry runner dilemma: “This isn’t what I signed up for!”43:20 – Ultra culture check: Adapting when things go wrong44:00 – Refunds, reroutes, and why race directing doesn’t pay45:29 – What people don’t understand about small races46:07 – Why the OG course would’ve been dangerous48:12 – Volunteers, lightning, and near whiteout conditions49:36 – The new idea: Spring DC Peaks on the alternate route51:29 – Could we add a second race every year?55:40 – Top 10 rapid-fire questions for 2025 recap56:24 – The biggest improvement from last year’s race58:57 – Best decisions, worst calls, and mid-race audibles1:04:10 – Hand warmers, towels, and hypothermia lessons learned1:09:04 – Biggest disappointments: Entitled runners & weather whiners1:13:01 – Should DC Peaks move to September? The great debate1:17:00 – Owning October: Why the first weekend is part of the brand1:21:00 – The Barkley comparison: Loving the suffering (or not)1:25:03 – If we could do it over again…1:29:59 – The oldest finisher: The toughest woman on the mountain1:31:29 – Changes for 2026: Gear checks, rules, and new course ideas1:34:13 – Could DC Peaks add a marathon or a 100-miler?1:38:18 – Volunteers who went above and beyond1:41:15 – Final thoughts: gratitude, recovery, and what’s next👇 Subscribe for more raw trail stories, ultra recaps, and behind-the-scenes looks into the sport.#trailrunning #ultrarunning #DCPeaks50 #trailracing #runningpodcast #ultramarathon #mountainrunning #racefail #raceprep #rainraces #runcommunity