HPRS Podcast – Episode 78: The State of the Sport, Part 1 - Influencers, Elitism, and Trail Ethics

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. Episode 78, is the first installment of a special three-part series, where HPRS Race Director John Lacroix sits down with guests Gordon Harvey, Mike Gampp, and Megan Storms to pull back the curtain on the current state of the ultrarunning industry.

Part 1 focuses on the friction between "old school" trail culture and the high-gloss world of modern influencers. From the impact of film crews on the runner experience to the legal and permitting repercussions of high-profile rule-breaking, the group explores if the sport is losing its "dirtbag" soul.

Topics in Part 1:

• The "Influencer" Formula: How social media monetization is shifting race priorities.

• Prize Money & Elitism: Does the focus on the top 1% marginalize the back-of-the-pack?

• Stewardship & Permits: The real-world consequences of cutting switchbacks and ecological harm.

• The "It's Not About You" Ethos: Why rules exist to protect shared spaces.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week as the roundtable continues, followed by John's solo "State of the Sport Address" in Part 3.