In our Trail and Ultra News Recap for May 4, read up on Courtney Dauwalter as she heads into today’s Cocodona 250, learn about how Rich Tenaglia ran a 100-miler in every state, mourn the loss of trail running pioneer John Cappis, get the scoop on how Jim Walmsley got a last-minute entry into this year’s Western States 100, get caught up on last weekend’s race results, and more.
Read more in this week’s Trail and Ultra News Recap below, 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.
Race Results and News
The Cocodona 250 is Underway
Early this morning, about 400 runners started the sixth annual Cocodona 250 in Black Rock City, Arizona. There are also four other races connected to Cocodona running simultaneously in Arizona. If you want to get caught up before you tune into the amazing livestream coverage, read about it on UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media and watch the Sunday’s Cocodona 250 Preview Show from Mountain Outpost.
Jim Walmsley Joins 2026 Western States 100 Field
On Friday, Jim Walmsley and the Western States 100 made official what many runners and fans were hoping for: that Walmsley, a four-time Western States 100 champion (2018, 2019, 2021, 2024), is officially entered into this year’s race. He was given a sponsor’s entry, so it didn’t impact anyone from the waiting list. Walmsley joins the men’s field that includes seven of last year’s top-10 finishers, including legend Kilian Jornet, who, in addition to being last year’s third-place finisher, was also the 2011 champion and 2010 third-place finisher.
Read More: UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media
Quinn, Rice Win McDonald Forest 50K
The McDonald Forest 50K began in the mid-1990s as a grassroots event in Oregon and has grown into one of the Pacific Northwest’s longest-running trail races and one of Ultrarunning Magazine’s classic Old School Ultras.
In this year’s 30th annual edition, Jessica Quinn delivered one of the fastest performances in race history, clocking 4:40:42—the sixth-fastest time in the event’s 30-year history—to win the women’s race and place seventh overall. Annika Steele followed in 4:53:43 for second, while Theresa Fritz-Endres secured third in 4:59:07.
In the men’s race, William Rice edged a tightly packed field to win in 4:29:37, with Connor Smith close behind in 4:30:51 and James Holk taking third in 4:31:59. The 30th edition of “The Mac” drew 228 finishers.
Read More: Ultrarunning Magazine
Elam, Fisher win Miwok 100K Titles
At this year’s Miwok 100K in Stinson Beach, California, Jimmy Elam extended his winning streak to six races dating back to last June, taking control early and never giving it up en route to an 8:19:57 victory—more than 25 minutes faster than any performance on the modern course since 2012. Joseph Roldan claimed second (M2) in 8:41:44, while Conor Callahan finished third in 8:49:30.
In the women’s race, Anna Fisher led from the start to win in 9:25:03, placing ninth overall and becoming the first woman to break 10 hours on the modern course while lowering the record by 44 minutes. Michelle Magagna finished second in 9:57:38, followed by Charlotte Cox in third at 10:06:43.
Overall, the 2026 race saw an 84 percent finish rate, with 306 of 373 starters completing the course within the 16-hour cutoff.
Read more: Ultrarunning Magazine
Kruckenberg, Wheatley Win Strolling Jim 40-Miler
At the 48th running of the Strolling Jim 40-Miler in Watrace, Tennessee, three men dipped under five hours on Saturday to earn the race’s coveted gold shirts. John Kruckeberg led the way in 4:41:07, securing his third Strolling Jim title and his sixth podium finish in the past seven years. Joseph Spear, third a year ago, followed closely in 4:42:32 for second, while Dylan Glass rounded out the top three in 4:50:56.
On the women’s side, Crystal Wheatley claimed the win in 6:24:00, with April McGee finishing second in 6:48:14 and Savannah Davis taking third in 6:55:04. All three women earned red shirts for breaking the seven-hour mark.
Read More: Ultrarunning Magazine
Complete Results: UltraSignup
Gliottone, Welle Win Collegiate Peaks 50-Miler
In Buena Vista, Colorado, Austin Gliottone ran away with a win at the 50-mile race of the Collegiate Peaks Trail Runs in 7:12:31, while Joanna Welle was the women’s winner (and fifth overall) in 8:28:41. In the 25-miler, Connor Pulvidente won with an 8-minute margin in 3:06:49, while Jacquie Mannhard, the 2023 Leadville 100 champion, won the women’s race in 3:37:27.
Full Results: UltraSignup
55-Year-Old Runner Wins 25K at The Big 50
Atlanta’s Phil Southerland won the 50K at The Big 50 in Pine Mountain, Georgia, in a course-record 4:35:07, while Laurie Higgins was the women’s winner in the third-fastest time (6:16:04). In the 25K, 55-year-old Vernon Smith was the overall winner in 2:46:54, while Alex Caminiti won the women’s race (and was third overall) in 2:53:45.
Full Results: UltraSignup
More Coverage of Trail and Ultra Races
Other weekend races included the, San Diego 100, Wild Wild West Marathon & Ultra, Folsom Lake Trail Run, Zelda 4 Hour, Big Day Runoff, Strolling Jim 40 Miler, Fireland Trail Trial, Lost Creek Trail Runs, SW Fire on the Mountain, Juniper Canyon Half Marathon, Take 5 in the Garden, O24, Oxbow 50K, The Ripper – Sunrise to Sunset, Grayson Highlands, Farm Park Challenge, Green Furnace Trail Challenge, Heavens Gate, WausaUltra, and Moonlight Mile 10K.
For more race results, visit UltraSignup’s results finder page.
UltraRunning’s Ultra Weekend Recap: May 3
Read More: UltraRunning Magazine
iRunFar’s This Week in Running: May 4
Read More: iRunFar
Training and Inspiration
Rich Tenaglia Ran a 100-Mile Race in Every State
Last fall, Rich Tenaglia became the first person to complete a 100-mile run in all 50 states. He went on a bender and banged out a crazy amount of races on a self-made, low-key tour of great races in some of the most spectacular, remote, and least-known places in the U.S. But this spring he’s focused on running for something bigger and much closer to home, and he is encouraging others to join him.
Read More: UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media
Fueling for Ultras Can Be Complicated: Here’s How I Finally Made it Work for Me
Ashley Arnold says she spent most of her 20s and 30s underfueling for just about every workout, long run and trail running race she ran. But she finally figured out a fueling strategy that worked. Here’s how she did it.
Read More: UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media
The Evolution of Courtney Dauwalter
Abby Levene catches up with Courtney Dauwalter about her fall marathons, her win the Chianti 120K and this week’s Cocodona 250.
Read More: OutsideRun (subscription required)
John Cappis: Remembering a Hardrock and Western States Pioneer
Andy Jones-Wilkins penned a thoughtful tribute to ultrarunning pioneer John Cappis, who passed away last week.
Read More: iRunFar
Embracing Pregnancy and Motherhood in Competitive Running
Kristen Schindler, a mental performance consultant, elite trail runner, new mom, and founder of Integrated Stride Coaching, writes about how the culture surrounding pregnancy, motherhood, and running is changing for the better.
Read More: iRunFar
The Rut Mountain Runs Launch Grant Program
The Rut Mountain Runs has launched a new initiative called Rut Grants. Backed in part by matching funds from The North Face, the program will distribute $16,000 in funding to support projects that strengthen trail running culture, promote land stewardship, and expand access to the sport.
Applications open April 27 and close May 20, 2026. Grants will be awarded in early June for projects throughout the summer and fall.
Read More: The Rut Grants
She’s a Hospice Nurse, Ultrarunning Phenom, and Just 23
Quietly squeezing in pre-dawn miles, Lila Gaudrault has racked up wins from the 50K to 100-mile distance, correspondent Emma Zimmerman reports. Next stop: the Cocodona 250.
Read More: OutsideRun (subscription required)
Transvulcania Begins May 7 in the Canary Islands
Spain’s Canary Islands are an absolute hotspot for trail running and ultrarunning, and this weekend’s 2026 Transvulcania Ultramarathon is taking it to another level, writes iRunFar’s Justin Mock. Top men’s entrants include Ben Dhiman of the U.S. and Italy’s Andreas Reiterer, and women’s favorites, neutral athlete Ekaterina Mityaeva and France’s Blandine L’Hirondel. Meanwhile, the 2026 Transvulcania Vertical Kilometer and Half Marathon step up in competitiveness, too.
Read More: iRunFar
Gear
Trail Tested: Hoka Speedgoat 7
The Hoka Speedgoat 7 is a protective, high-cushioned trail shoe built for consistency and confidence over long miles. Allison Mercer reviews the latest edition of the Speedgoat, saying that it stays true to its roots while feeling more aligned with what runners expect today.
Read More:UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media
Videos
The Journey With No End
After nearly two decades at the top of ultrarunning, Ryan Sandes faced a question he never expected: does he still belong? In 2025, he stepped onto the start line of the legendary Cocodona 250, a brutal 250-mile ultramarathon across Arizona.
Tomorrow: Courtney Dauwalter’s 2025 Cocodona 2025
Daniel Arthur Jacobson and Ryan Thrower put together this 5-minute cut about Courtney Dauwalter’s 2025 Cocodona experience, in which she briefly led the race outright but eventually dropped out at mile 108.
Podcasts
The Trailhead Podcast: Evolutionary Biologist David Raichlen Explains What Running Actually Does to Your Brain
The Buzz Podcast: Dave Mackey: The Ultrarunner Who Fell Off Bear Peak, Lost a Leg, and Kept Racing
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