Behind the Scenes at The World Series of Ultra Running with Becs Gentry and friends

Behind the Scenes of the 2026 UTMB - The world summit of trail running with Becs Gentry, Margot Fleming and Jeremiah Maestre.

This week, Rob interviews Becs and friends about their passion for ultramarathon running. Joining the conversation is Margot Fleming, an ultrarunner and coach based in Los Angeles whose father, Tom Fleming, won the New York City Marathon in 1973 and again in 1975. Margot ran the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, marking 50 years since her father’s first win. Just a few weeks ago, she completed the full 170-kilometer loop of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). Also joining the discussion is Jeremiah Maestre, who recently completed his first CCC (Courmayeur–Champex–Chamonix) race, a 100-kilometer course that follows part of the UTMB route. A former boxer from Orange County, California, Jeremiah ran his first marathon in Maui in December 2022 and has since completed the Marathon des Sables twice and the Canyons 100 Mile. They discuss what it takes to qualify for these races, the physical and mental demands of running through steep and technical terrain, the difficulty of navigating unpredictable weather, and the logistics of fueling for hours on the trail. They also explore what drew them to trail running and the sense of community, camaraderie, and connection that comes from tackling these challenges.

00:00:00 Welcome: what happens between the start line and the finish line
00:02:00 UTMB, CCC and TDS explained
00:06:59 Meet Jeremiah Maestre and Margot Fleming
00:09:01 Getting to the start line, and what Running Stones are
00:13:28 Margot's TDS: stopping at 97K with 50 still to go
00:18:04 Becs on a goal seeded 12 years ago, and earning her spot
00:22:22 The first climb: thunderstorms, hail and the steepest miles
00:27:54 Poles, and getting blown off the mountain
00:32:55 Three course changes on the fly
00:34:11 Fueling: a C-minus and eating for 42 hours
00:36:55 Inside the aid stations: pasta, raclette and one fry
00:39:57 Overnight: headlamps, missed sunsets and cowbells
00:44:12 Margot's finish, and a sprint through town
00:47:11 Why do this? Jeremiah and Margot answer
00:52:01 Try a trail run: Palisades discount for NYRR members
00:53:44 Becs on what the trails gave back
00:57:35 Speedgoat vs CCC, wild horses, and thank yous
01:02:28 Peloton, and goodbye

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