In our Trail and Ultra News Recap for April 13, you’ll find results from another stunning weekend of racing action. There was the Gorge Waterfalls in Oregon with its new Nike ACG-infused $75,000 prize purse, the new edition of the Lake Sonoma trail races in California, the USATF 100K championships in Madison, Wisconsin, and the conclusion of the six-day Marathon des Sables in Morocco. (For more race results, visit UltraSignup’s results finder page.)
Other top stories include tips on how to survive a mid-race bonk, embracing uncool in a new era of cool, and how to win a spot in the 2027 Western States 100. Plus, French shoe brand Kiprun is starting to make a splash in the U.S. with its Kiprun KipSummit Race shoe.
Read more in this week’s Trail and Ultra News Recap here, cutting through the noise to the trail running headlines you don’t want to miss from media outlets across the sport. And be sure to browse for your next trail or ultra race on UltraSignup.
Headlines
Lotti Brinks, Jeshrun Small Win Gorge Waterfalls 100K
With its new $75,000 in prize money and a stacked field in its 100K, 50K, and 30K races, the Gorge Waterfalls race was the marquee trail races of the weekend. Lotti Brinks, a mountain biker from Boise, Idaho, who has become an elite trail ultrarunner, ran away from the women’s 100K field with a stunning win and a fifth-place overall finish in a new course record of 9 hours, 6 minutes. In the men’s race, Colorado’s Jeshrun Small shocked the field with a decisive win over Drew Holmen and Rob King.
In the 50K races, Jenn Lichter continued her winning ways by outrunning China’s Miao Yao, Tara Dower and Bailey Kowalczyk in the women’s race, while Japanese runner Koken Ogasawara outlasted Anthony Costales, David Norris and Liam Meirow in the men’s race. In last Friday’s 30K, Mason Coppi outdueled Meirow for the men’s title, while Lauren Gregory beat Tayler Tuttle in the women’s race.
Results: UltraSignup
Ryan Sullivan, Fiona Pascal Win Lake Sonoma 100K
At the Lake Sonoma 100K in Healdsburg, California, Ryan Sullivan set the pace early and never relinquished the lead, cruising to a decisive victory in 8:36:09. In the women’s race, Fiona Pascal claimed the win in 10:13:24, finishing second overall. Robbie Simpson (3:39:39) and Hannah Allgood (4:19:36) were the top runners in the Lake Sonoma 50K.
In the Trail Sisters Half Marathon, twin sisters Evelin Ramirez (1:54:49) and Jackie Ramirez (1:54:51) finished first and second, respectively, after a sprint to the finish line.
Results: UltraSignup
Des Linden Takes Third at Marathon Des Sables
Des Linden, a two-time U.S. Olympic marathoner and 2018 Boston Marathon Champion, finished third in the legendary Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert. It was the third ultra-distance event of Linden’s career, but her plan was to transition to trail running in 2026 after retiring from competitive marathon running last spring. The 2026 edition marked the race’s 40th anniversary, and to commemorate the milestone organizers extended the longest stage to 100 kilometers (62 miles). In most years, that stage is typically closer to 80 kilometers or 50 miles. With a 40-hour cutoff, runners must carefully balance pacing, sleep, and nutrition while still maintaining forward progress.
Maryline Nakache of France was the women’s winner in 25:54:29, while Morocco’s Aziza El Amrany (29:22:34) was second and Linden (30:16:32) was third. In the men’s race, Moroccan brothers Mohamed El Morabity (20:47:39) and Rachid El Morabity (21:16:25) finished first and second overall, respectively, while UTMB and Hardrock winner Ludovic Pommeret (21:18:43) finished third overall. Other top American finishers included Elizabeth Scott (10th,36:00:36) and Magdalena Boulet (17th, 37:31:22).
Read More: iRunFar
Japanese Runner Races Marathon des Sables in Suit and Tie
It was a six-day race across the Sahara Desert, but Japanese runner Masahiro Michinaka was spotted in full business attire–black suit jacket, dress pants and burgundy tie. Plus, of course, his bright orange running shoes. He wound up finishing 1,230th place overall.
Read More: Instagram
Brogan Austin, Sarah Morrison Win USATF 100K Titles
The 2026 Mad City Ultras hosted this year’s USATF 100k National Road Championships on a 10k loop course along the shore of Lake Wingra in Madison, Wisconsin. Brogan Austin, the 2018 USATF marathon champion and 2025 USATF 50-mile champion, captured the 100K national title with the second-fastest course time ever, finishing in 6:34:01. Phil Young placed second in 6:45:23, while Anthony Fagundes followed closely in third with a time of 6:47:54.
In the women’s race, Sarah Morrison earned the 100K national title in a new course record of 7:17:01, shaving more than nine minutes off Camille Herron’s previous mark and finishing eighth overall. Allison Mercer took second in 7:30:52—the third-fastest time in Mad City Ultras history—and placed ninth overall, while Amber Arvidson completed the podium in third with a time of 8:00:53.
Read More: UltraRunning Magazine
Embracing the Uncool as Trail Running Evolves
Trail running is booming and has suddenly developed a cool factor in the mainstream, especially among Gen Z runners. That’s OK, but UltraSignup’s Zoë Rom reminds us that trail running doesn’t need me to be its coolest or fastest ambassador.It just needs us to show up.
Read More: UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media
How to Run an Ultra Through the Night
If you’re a little nervous running after dark, welcome to the club. The night can be strange, but it’s navigable, physiologically, psychologically, and logistically, once you understand what’s going on. Here are some expert insights on how to make it through the night.
Read More: UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media
Order of the Unchosen: Win a Spot in Western States
You entered the lottery. You didn’t get in. You entered again. You trained through winter anyway. You told yourself it didn’t matter. It mattered. This is for the ones who keep signing up, keep showing up, and keep not getting in. One guaranteed entry to the 2027 edition of the Western States 100. Yes, this is a legit scenario. Just ask Heather Huggins, who was chosen for the 2026 Western States 100.
Read More: UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media
Smart Tips to Recover From a Mid-Race Bonk
There are ways to overcome bonking and, yes, even prevent one from happening, at least in theory. Here’s some advice from Anne Hinman and two more experienced runners and coaches, John Krause and Kris King, on how to ensure a bonk doesn’t bounce you from your race.
Read More: UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media
Reflections on Aging from an ‘Old’ Ultrarunner
George Nelsen, a 71-year-old runner from Williams, Arizona, says if you are slowing down, have new aches and pains and no longer think you are a “runner,” just keep moving.
Read More: Arizona Daily Sun
Gear
Trail Tested: Kiprun KipSummit Race Review
Kipun probably isn’t a brand of shoes you’re aware of unless you’ve spent time trail running in Europe in recent years. But you’re about to hear more about this performance running brand that grew out of French sporting goods giant Decathlon. It launched in the U.S. this month and will no doubt be making a splash as it promotes its new shoes and adds some U.S. runners to its elite team, which, so far, is entirely composed of French athletes.
Read More: UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media
Norda 001A G+: Tough and Very Expensive
Do you really need a $300 trail running shoe? Wired’s Kieran Alger tested the treads, and the creds, of the Norda 001A G+.
Read More: Wired
Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide 2: All-Mountain Action
The crew at Believe in the Run reviews this top-tier all-mountain sho and gives it high marks in almost every category.
Read More: Believe in the Run
More Coverage of Trail and Ultra Races
UltraRunning’s Ultra Weekend Recap: April 12
Read More: UltraRunning Magazine
iRunFar’s This Week in Running: April 13
Read More: iRunFar
Videos
The Big Heat at the Big Alta 50K
Heather Jackson is as tough as nails. But after committing to a 2026 race schedule that she says genuinely scares her, The Big Alta 50K in Marin County was the first chance to find out where her fitness as at in an area of the world that has some of the most stunning trails to run.
Magnolia Road Zone 2 with David Roche
Hans Troyer, newly transplanted to Boulder, Colorado, runs the famous 16-mile out-and-back route on Magnolia Road.
Gorge Waterfalls 100K Recap
Watch Freetrail’s coverage of the 2026 Gorge Waterfalls, including interviews with the top finishers in the 100K race.
Podcasts
The Buzz Podcast: What Happens to Mountain Towns When the Snow Stops?
In the latest episode of The Buzz Podcast, trail running legend and host Buzz Burrell has talks with journalist Jason Blevins about water, snow, and the future of mountain towns, and why recreation is now a key part of the economy.
Singletrack Podcast: Building the Pipeline That Could Change Trail Running
Christian Meier returns to the Singletrack Podcast to discuss one of the most ambitious talent development initiatives the sport has ever seen: Salomon’s Next Gen program, which he leads as Head of Performance Programs.
The Trailhead Podcast: The Rancher Who Crushes 100-mile Ultramarathons
RELATED: Trail and Ultra News Recap for April 13
RELATED: How The Trail Team Has Built a Pipeline to Trail Running Success
RELATED: 6 Smart Tips to Successfully Navigate Aid Stations
RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Western States 2026
RELATED: Running Through Motherhood: 10 Tips for Managing Trail Running as a Mom
