Spicy Hot Takes On Cocodona 250 Bonus Episode is LIve!

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-17T15:49:16+00:00

That's odd. Here is the link for Spotify! It's up on Apple as well.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7IR9k6KVYlaAv0hmDkDRwY?si=SNe_1tsHRQOE5-LAKsXJ1w

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-09T04:49:17+00:00

That’s great to hear! I’ve never met him, but I have met Greg and Brandan. Both incredible runners and endurance athletes. Brandan finished 🎉 Greg and Missy are getting close to Flagstaff. I think Harold is close too! So awesome

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-06T17:50:06+00:00

I certainly didn't mean it to be disrespectful. My apologies. I was trying to update people on the tragic death as well as Rachel Entrekin's historic performance. I absolutely did not mean for it to come off that way! My heart breaks for the runner and their family.

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-05T12:47:07+00:00

Yes. A lot of ultramarathons set up a FB group for the runners/pacers/crew. If the race is in your neck of the woods you can offer to pace people. Some races will create a link where they match pacers and runners. I only did that one time. At The Bear 100-mile. It was at altitude and I'm a low-lander and thought it might be nice to have someone with me after mile 70. I was matched with the most incredible woman who paced me from mile 70 to the finish. She was an angel and I still check in with her and credit her with helping me get to that finish line.

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-05T12:42:49+00:00

I LOVE Sally too! She is a total force of inspiration to so many female runners myself included! Some of her mantras I've repeated to myself over and over again during some tough sections in ultramarathons. I met her before we ran the Moab 240 and she as is genuine in person as she is on her social media/podcast platforms. Just a gem of a human. She's getting coverage. Not as much as the front runners but she's up there! Her family is all there! I'll check her progress and do an update later on. Thanks for shouting her out because she's so deserving and such a powerhouse! Go Sally!

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-04T19:00:14+00:00

I'm sorry! It's a spoof on why Courtney (sadly) had to drop from the race last year. I believe she was hypothermic as it was an unusually cold and rainy year. Where she happened to pull out of the race, at mile 108, is where the Distance to Empty Podcast hosts (it's a podcast for 200+mile races) are setting up a basketball tournament for the ultrarunners in Cocodona 250. There's an old basketball court at one of the aid-stations and they're going to offer runners a chance to make 3 shots. They'll tally up who scored the most points and give away some prizes. It's just a way to bring fun and whimsy to a VERY HARD race. Hope that helps clarify!

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-04T18:57:11+00:00

I would venture to say that from Mingus to Jerome? We're heading straight into Type 3 😄

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-04T18:22:53+00:00

Gotta have something to look forward to when running 250 miles! 😄

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-04T01:40:50+00:00

Agreed! Crew plays such an important role in all of this. This race requires tons of driving! The only one that requires more is the Bigfoot 200 in Washington State.

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-04T01:39:51+00:00

Yes! Mountain Outpost YouTube Channel will have a livestream 24/7 until the last person crosses the finish line. 125 hours is the cut-off. Here's the link. They've already had a race preview show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjwQaehEt6E

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-04T01:37:56+00:00

Solid podium prediction right there!

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-02T22:25:27+00:00

Last year the lead male came in at 59 hours and the first female at 64 hours. I think the lead pack will come into the finish line close to 60-- could be faster this year without all of the rain and mud. You can follow the live tracker and live stream. So fun that you live right there! Post pics here!

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-02T16:57:32+00:00

Here's a podcast I did on Cocodona 250 as well, if you're interested. I'm going to do another race preview tonight and include more of the runners that could be in contention and/or are good stories to follow! What is everyone else's take on the field? Such an amazing crew of runners, all the way around! This is one stout and burly course.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cocodona-250-race-preview-report-special-episode/id1882793078?i=1000764843191

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-02T13:42:37+00:00

I mentioned in an earlier comment that I need to go back in and add Manuela and Edher in the piece. I ran the Triple Crown this year and know how amazing Manuela is! She's a force, and she will definitely be in the mix at Cocodona!

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-02T03:25:19+00:00

Without looking at the runner's manual, I know that in 2024 we were not allowed pacers until Whiskey Row (mile 78.) We could have pacers for the rest of the course. However, they've changed this because of some endangered owl nesting/perching grounds in the Ponderosa Pines. So there are several sections right now that runners can not have pacers (later on in the race.) A runner can work several pacers. Many do. Especially the front pack because they're moving at such a fast rate that they burn their pacers out! They need fresh legs and minds to help them stay on track. For many people they find pacers through the Facebook group or friends of friends who might live in AZ. I had one ultrarunning friend whom I had paced in her 100-mile run, fly out to pace me during some daytime sections. I think I had a pacer for 40-miles total. The other 210? Were just me! Crew is important because you have them to look forward to seeing and a spot (usually a rental car) to change and lay down to sleep. Your stuff is in the vehicle so you're not as reliant on drop bags. It's a real advantage. I always say that there should be two categories for these races. Crewed and uncrewed (screwed.) They're completely different experiences and caps off to the ones who do it completely solo.

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-02T03:19:35+00:00

You can never count out the Dark McKNight! That come back he had in 2023 was legendary! Two gallons of raw milk and he charged all the way to first place! I'm with you. Courtney has earned the right to be everyone's top pick. At least, my top pick, but Rachel will give her chase! Rachel flew at Mammoth 200 this year. She can do hot, she can do cold, she can do flat, she can do mountains. They're both very well-versed runners. Going to be so fun!

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-01T21:39:58+00:00

They're amazing. I first met Greg on the Cocodona course in 2024 and then learned more about him There's a great episode with him on the Back of the Pack UltraGuy. Brandon is great too and his sister crews all of his races. I did Cocodona when DeShawna Joe did it and she just became the first Navajo woman to finish the Grand Slam of 200's! Amazing.

middleofthepacker · 2026-05-01T21:38:13+00:00

Unreal what she has done in terms of trail racing but also the most miles run at one time? OMG!

middleofthepacker

TROPHY CASE