We officially met Chris Sherwood at the recent Loopy Looper where he finished the grueling 100 mile event, overcoming the relentless heat and humidity to cross the finish line in 27:42 minutes. And while he ran in college at Georgia Southern University where he logged a 28:30 8K (that is a 5:44 per mile pace for just under 5 miles for anyone who can’t convert that quick), life happened and he took a long break from running until 2018, at which time he made the wise decision to jump straight into a 50K, despite never having run or raced more than 13 miles. But he apparently learns quick, and in 2022 he toed the line at Western States, having earned an unlikely entry from a single ticket following his finish at Canal Corridor 100 in late 2021. But forget those short races, because he is currently gearing up to make the jump to the world of 200s with the Cocodona 250 in May of 2025. So take us on your long run to hear how he got our attention, why he runs with a picture of some very special people on his back, and what his training looks like as he faces down Cocodona. Enjoy!

Chris Rice got his start as an adventure racer and has since racked up more than 90 events on UltraSignup. We were lucky enough to shake hands with him recently at the Loopy Looper 100 miler where we witnessed his sub 24 hour finish , teaming up with prior guest Michael "Gagz" Gagliardi to tough out the last 3 hours of the race. And to hint at the grit this guy has, the Loopy Looper was just 10 days after his 4th Badwater 135 finish. He is now preparing for the 153 mile Spartathlon on September 28, and then The Arizona Monster 300 in April 0f 2025. So plug in to hear what makes him tick and how he is approaching a 300+ mile challenge. Checkout more from The Ultra Running Guys: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theultrarunningguys.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Race: The Final Countdown

After over a year of race spotlights, we must confess. This is the first race spotlight for a race in Iowa. And, we are so grateful that this one was recommended to us as it was flying under the radar, but no more. The Mines of Spain 100 takes place in Dubuque, Iowa in October and sells out each year, so if you want to run this one, you may have to wait until next year. But put it on your watch list so you can be alerted to register in time next year.

The Mines of Spain 100 takes runners on 5 - 20 mile loops covering trails that range from steep & technical to flat dirt single track to rolling & grassy and everything in between. Each 20 mile loop of the course is about 2800 feet of gain/loss which totals out to roughly 14,000 feet for the full 100 and runners have 33 hours to complete the distance.

Joining us on the show to talk about the Mines of Spain, is RD, Josh Sun.

Race spotlight recommended by Chad Fridley Photo: Mile 90 Photography @mile90photo Mines of Spain 100 Information Race website: https://minesofspain100.com/ IG: @minesofspain100

Checkout more from The Ultra Running Guys:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theultrarunningguys.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Race: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Final Countdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - September 14, 2024