HPRS Podcast – Episode 80: 2026 State of the Sport Address

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. Episode 80 is Part 3 of a 3 part series on The State of Ultrarunning.

In the conclusion of this three-part series, HPRS owner and race director John LaCroix delivers his most raw and data-backed "State of the Sport Address" to date. Using 21 years of longitudinal data from Colorado and beyond, John pulls back the curtain on the "Ghost Race" phenomenon, the math of corporate greed, and the reality of the permit ceiling facing federal land use.

This episode features an opening reflection by Dr. Jacob Ambrose on the "AuDHD" (Autism & ADHD) experience—prioritizing truth over simplicity—which sets the stage for a discussion on why the sport is entering a critical "Stewardship Era."

Key Topics Covered:

• The 100-Mile Bubble: Why race counts are up 27% while finishes have stagnated.

• Extraction vs. Stewardship: The rise of corporate "Ironmanization" and predatory race scheduling.

• The Math of Entry Fees: A forensic look at why $500 entries are becoming the norm (and why it's not just inflation).

• The Cultural Shift: Moving from a "frat house" atmosphere of mockery back to a "sanctuary" of belonging.

• HPRS Updates: Why John is choosing "depth over breadth" by reducing race counts and leaning into the Community Fund.