This is why Bozeman is kind of annoying.

I can’t believe I read that whole article. Color me shocked when I read she was from California.

Honestly though, I do find ultra running, and running in general a little discriminatory. Like I can’t be a fat bastard and eat cookies all day and still be competitive. It’s simply not fair.
 
I met the group organizer the other night while on a run in some miserable wet snowy weather. She was beaming with excitement about this weekends first club event. I wish her luck and hope that these opportunities (and a community of passionate mentors) exist for my 8 year old daughter when it’s her time. I think these quirky nuanced pursuits (and the folks that champion them) are why I love living and raising kids in Bozeman… the BikeKitchen is perhaps the best example of this.

The popularity of the sport has increased tremendously over the last 10 years, though it is still very small compared to more accessible alternatives like 5ks and even marathons. Many ultra-races are now lottery only events, and just like a coveted elk permit, can take multiple years and bonus points to draw.

Here is some more background on the female ultra running perspective and challenges therein: https://www.irunfar.com/women-in-trail-running-and-ultrarunning
 
Different strokes for different folks.

I have had an unusual hobby for a long time. There are very few people who run pointing dogs, handled from horseback, and compete in field trials. There are, at most, fewer than a dozen people in the state that do it. So, I suspect my hobby is more eccentric than ultra marathons.

I think they likely have found something they like and are reasonably good at. I don't see anything bad about that.
 
Allison was a roommate of mine for a while - a little sweetheart and clearly tough as nails. She’s as kind and humble as any human I’ve met.

I noticed her limping around the house one day and asked her what the problem was. She said she was up all night doing laps on the M and did 21 of them, that’s 17k of vertical took her all night. Here’s a ring camera video of her leaving for a morning run after possibly the heaviest snowfall overnight I’ve seen in 40 years of living in Bozeman. She got home over 4 hours later..


Maybe rename the thread - Some very wonderful people sometimes move to Bozeman.
 
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Most of the barriers described or alluded to in that article are self-contrived, and maybe that's what hilljack had an issue with. There's basically no more intrinsically inclusive "sport" than ultra running, or any distance running in general. You don't have to go fast, you don't need a course, and you don't really need anything other than a pair of shoes and a large capacity for pain and misery, though a small backpack helps.

In a place like Bozeman, where it seems like everyone was born wearing neon HOKAS and effortlessly logging miles, the challenge can feel even more intimidating.

I can remember showing up to my first 1/2 m thinking the same thing, but who cares, just run your race. There is no other sport where finishing, is so celebrated, heck even just starting is celebrated. To that end it's a little eye-rolly.

I'm guess I'm in the minority, because the only "professional" ultra runner I know is a female, Courtney Dewalter. She's a bad ass. Crazy. But a badass.
 
Irrelevant said:
Most of the barriers described or alluded to in that article are self-contrived, and maybe that's what hilljack had an issue with.
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That's what I take from it.
Awesome that they've got a community of like-minded folks that enjoy the outdoors, but are there really more "barriers" for women than compared to men?
Disclaimer, as I am not a runner let along an ultramarathoner, but what exactly are the barriers to running, other than the mental barriers stated by the individuals in the story? As far as I can tell you probably need some clothes, some shoes, a hydration pack, and some Astro-Glide. 🤷‍♂️
Now yes, that may not be enough to compete in sanctioned ultramarathons, but just the getting out and running has got to be one of the most simplistic way to get outdoors. Very low barrier to entry.
It's running. Just go. If you're truly interested in it then just go and do it.
 
Irrelevant said:
I'm guess I'm in the minority, because the only "professional" ultra runner I know is a female, Courtney Dewalter. She's a bad ass. Crazy. But a badass.
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My wife is into running. This is the first thing I thought of when I saw the thread. Courtney is the only pro level runner if either gender I could name.

I honestly thought it was a female dominated sport.
 
I have nothing against the people, dont know em and dont care to know em. I guess it's the word inclusive that triggers my annoyance. If you want to run go freaking run. There is nothing inclusive or uninclusive about it...I've been an "elite runner" pretty much my whole life never cared if anyone knew about it or felt not included. Stop needing your hand held or applause for every tiny aspect of your life and do things for your own satisfaction.

Self-contrived barriers can only be overcome by you. In this example lace up the Sauconys and get out there or dont i really don't care.
 
Humans were not meant to run for hours. Nor smoke two packs of cigs a day. Tobacco companies were held accountable.

Marathon and Ultras will be held liable as studies are building plenty of evidence to health impairment. Medical staffing and proper emergency infrastructure during these events is often paltry.

Likely not deep pockets of these promoters so will not be a low-hanging fruit.

Here is a link to a small sample article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4415847/

Note the ages of deceased: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_marathon_fatalities
 
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Frequently Banned Troll said:
I want to creat an epicly humorous topic about the “annoying” things about SE Idaho.

But of course - that would be instantly nuked after a flood of sniveling babies (grown men with paper thin skin) push the report button..
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I live in Montana. And I'm certainly allowed to be annoyed it's my right haha.
I'll add im happy for these people, good for them i just think the premise is ridiculous. Want to start a running club? Go for it that's great...don't give me BS about how it had to be done because it's not inclusive enough.
 
I’m trying to decide what’s more “annoying” - a town that all sorts of people are moving to including a woman who an article was written about…

OR

A guy who refers to himself as “an elite runner” who starts a thread on a hunting forum about his grievances about the above article and the use of the word “inclusive”.

Hilarious stuff.
 
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