While racing my last 100 milers of the year, I kept thinking about my whole 2024 season. The ups, the downs. It's been a crazy year for sure with amazing races from start to finish. It's actually crazy to think it all started with HURT100 in Hawaii - it honestly feels like this was 4 years ago.

HURT100 remains one of the most challenging race I've ever done. The course is challenging - technical with a lot of gain. But importantly, you are on a tight timer with only 36 hours. I was relatively well rested coming in, but it still took me everything to make it! Luckily, my dear Nora was there to support me! If you haven't seen it, of course i highly suggest you have a look. And if you are looking for a race with a great atmosphere, unique landscape, and serious bragging rights - look no further!

The HURT 100 Ultra Marathon is a 100 miles Trail Ultra Marathon Race in Hawaii. This is a classic Trail Running event - one of the toughness Ultra Marathon in the world - which having race some of the toughness ultra marathon like Badwater 135, Ouray 100, Leadville - I can confirm. HURT 100 is absolutely hardcore!

Curious about the trail running gear I use and recommend: check out this link
linktr.ee/runningwithsimon

The 100 miles course is mostly single track technical trail - which a heavy mix of rocks, roots and mud. It's runnable if you have absolutely no sense of self-preservation.... Otherwise, it's a mix of 'joggable' and 'OMG I'm going to die' trails. It also boast a respectable 26k ft of elevation gain yet only 36 hours cutoff (I think ~40-48 hrs would be more reasonable).

This was one of my favorite race experience ever. A very unique and challenging course, very friendly race organizer, and amazing volunteers. The community was fantastic, helping each other out there on a hardcore race (yup a runner fell off a cliff and broke her fibula...). And hopefully you can see and feel the love I have for this race in this movie. It was hard to keep it short - I always struggle with this when it's such a good race (... see also Ouray 100 miles...).

Amidst all the controversy lately in the ultra running scene about big corporation taking over - HURT100 is a breath of fresh air. It's a race by the people for the people! That's how things were before, and that's how things should stay - so thank you for such a great event and community.

This is my first 100 miles ultra marathon in some time. Over the past 2 years, I've raced 24, and I was eager to get back on trails! The past few months of training were mostly about getting back to health, nurturing some injuries and training as much as possible.

All and all, I'm very proud of this one. Things didn't go smoothly, coming in with an injured toe and on the tail end of a flu. But I found ways to make it across the finish line on one of the hardest race out there. But importantly, I had tons of fun.

Next for me is Black Canyon 100k (and for Nora too!) Feb 10.

As always, thanks for watching!

Simon




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Instagram:
www.instagram.com/runningwithsimon/

Strava:
www.strava.com/athletes/48129187

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Music credit:
• By Infraction : City Beat, Positive, Future Me, The Farmer, Newborn Dreams, Back to You, Make Me Happy, Searching
• By Mokka Music: Card Game, Lovely, One Soul, Ambient Aria,
• By Ikson: New Day
• Super Metroid: Prologue, Norfair,
• Megaman X: Cast Roll, Password

Music from #InAudio: inaudio.org/
Track Name: AMBIENT ARIA (AMBIENT)
inaudio.org/track/ambient-aria-ambient/

Music from #InAudio: inaudio.org/
Track Name: NEWBORN DREAMS (ELECTRONIC POP)
inaudio.org/track/newborn-dreams-electronic-pop/

Music from #InAudio: inaudio.org/
Track Name: BACK TO YOU (EDM)
inaudio.org/track/back-to-you-edm/

Music from #InAudio: inaudio.org/
Track Name: CARD GAME (FUNK)
inaudio.org/track/card-game-funk/

Music from #InAudio: inaudio.org/
Track Name: THE FARMER (FOLK)
inaudio.org/track/the-farmer-folk/

Music from #InAudio: inaudio.org/
Track Name: FUTURE ME (TROPICAL HOUSE)
inaudio.org/track/future-me-tropical-house/

Music from #InAudio: inaudio.org/
Track Name: LOVELY (CORPORATE)
inaudio.org/track/lovely-corporate/

Music from #InAudio: inaudio.org/
Track Name: POSITIVE (TROPICAL)
inaudio.org/track/positive-tropical/

Music from #InAudio: inaudio.org/
Track Name: CITY BEAT (ELECTRONIC POP)
inaudio.org/track/city-beat-electronic-pop/