Hoka Trail Collective x BITR Journal: Speedgoat Mountain Races

GOAT Race

I’m conditioned to look down when I walk. That’s especially true in crowded public spaces and an absolute when tromping through Denver International Airport.

Why? I think, as a kid, it was because I was a shy guy. Eye contact was pretty much a death sentence. Or maybe it’s because of time spent on trails, my eyes constantly bouncing between my feet and the ground slightly ahead in anticipation of what’s coming.

But as a shoe reviewer, most of the time, my eyes look groundward because of the shoe count. What are people wearing? What brands are hot? Why are Hey Dudes a thing? Trends are pretty easy to pick out in one of the busiest airports in the country. Out here in Colorado, the sample pool is dominated by Chacos, cowboy boots, and a couple of popular running shoe brands. As you can imagine, one of them is Hoka.

I am one of those Hoka wearers, and if someone walking past were to look at my feet, they’d see the newly released Hoka Speedgoat 6.

This ultrarunning icon is on my feet as I head to Utah to kickoff our journey as the Hoka Trail Collective. What is “The Collective?” We’re an eclectic group of journalists with backgrounds as diverse as our geographical placing. First stop on this voyage together is Snowbird Resort to experience the Speedgoat Trail Races by UTMB, a series of trail races put on by the shoe’s namesake himself, Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer.

Getting There

Midafternoon flights are hot and heavy, and only get worse with the anxiety that comes with a mass software hack on airport systems. As I arrived at my gate to Salt Lake City, it was easy to pinpoint who was heading to the exact same place I was. A tell-tale experienced ultra runner touting an Old Mohican 100 finisher’s hat, the fit woman who looked outfitted for the trails right then and there, the family with bouncing children giddy with excitement to cheer dad on in his weird hobbies, and apparently with my Believe in the Run hat and mustache.

As I found a seat on the plane, a woman passing by asked, “You running the Goat?”

“Sure am! You?” I replied.

“See you out there,” the woman smiled as he headed toward the back of the plane. The shared acknowledgment was comforting.

In a way that I would come to figure out, this is the “essence of trail.” Even in the growing outdoor industry and despite trail running’s rapid expanse, this is still a niche sport. The essence of trail has yet to reach the masses… but it’s obvious that something is happening. That’s exactly the point behind the Hoka Trail Collective: bring to light the magic of the trail for all.

The Hoka Trail Collective is composed of a couple of gear junkies (myself and Drew Whitcomb from Weartesters), journalists with backgrounds ranging from fashion to social empowerment, coaches with Sundog Running, and even a few Hoka employees. Most of the people in this group had never run on trails nor have participated in a trail race. I was one of the few that had a professional background in trail running.

I wrestled with the idea of what my role is in this group. Is it my job to play tour guide to the trail community? Give them all the details on the gear they are in? When it came down to it, I decided my role is to simply soak it in; watch as the trail running community is exposed to them. Immerse myself in that feeling again.

Day 1: Getting Settled

In-person greetings are hard, especially in this day and age. Do I nod, fist bump, or hug? With some it’s obvious, but not with all. Our group met in real life for the first time in the lobby of Cliffside Lodge, a quirky but tasteful hotel at the base of Snowbird Resort. The obvious awkwardness was written on most of our faces. One by one, we showed up. One by one, the exchange of shy smiles and names occurred.

Once gathered, we headed over to the first item on our weekend event menu, a Hoka shakeout run. It was a typical and enjoyable experience, but I felt both tapped on social exchanges and hungry at the same time. By the time we finished, I was ready for the next bullet point on the weekend’s list, and that was supper.

All 12 of us Hoka Trail Collective members convened for dinner at the top floor dining establishment in our hotel. I was entirely out of my element as the nicest pieces of clothing I brought were a button-up flannel and a pair of Hoka Ora Recovery Slides. Nevermind the fact that I knew nobody. Typically, on a media event like this, I would be stepping into a group where we all knew each other enough that it would be comfortable to plan a morning run before going on with our tasks for the day.

Not this group. The “new group” dynamic led the way through initial small talk and forgetting everyone’s names within seconds. By the end of the night, in part thanks to hearty food and cocktails, it was obvious that the walls had come down a bit. Deep conversations about cutlery and sharing desserts from the same plate was the sign. This is going to be a great weekend!

Day 2: Race Day

It’s race day, baby! Speedgoat hosts a healthy variety of distances (10K, 21K, 28K, and 50K) that sets runners up to return year after year. My coach, trail running legend and badass Anna Frost (look her up on Youtube), declares that this 50K is the hardest in the country. She distinctly remembers cursing race director Karl Meltzer’s name multiple times enroute to wins in 2012 and 2014.

About half of our crew (including myself) took on the 10K. Before you scoff, remember this was most of our crew’s first time running trails and/or doing a trail race. Add to the challenge that the race starts at 8,300 feet and is in mountainous terrain with steep climbs, varied surfaces, and bomber descents. The 10K alone had 1,500 feet of gain and loss. For anyone looking for their first crack at trail running in a high-octane environment, or are interested in taking the leap from general trail to true mountain running, then the 10K at Speedgoat is perfect for gaining experience.

Those not doing the 10K immersed themselves in a trail running clinic put on by Sundog coaches Anna Frost and Will Baldwin. Runners quickly found out that trail running is so much more than fitness. Trail running also requires some honed skills. Mantras like “hot potato” or “belly button” remind runners to stay engaged– an idea we’ll circle back to.

As the 10K takes on the lower half of the mountain, the rest of the races crest the top of Snowbird resort at Hidden Peak where majestic views and heavy breathing abound. The 50K race tags it twice via different trails. Every step is paid for on this course.

I had a great day out there and finished first in the 10K distance, which felt good after some setbacks and injuries this past spring (editor’s note: Taylor didn’t want to put his finish in here, because he’s way too Minnesotan and way too humble). After we settled up on our efforts, we were reimbursed by an epic day on the mountain that felt a whole lot more like an adult day camp than a media event. Like many other ski areas, Snowbird has created a whimsical summer atmosphere to keep the mountain fun going all year round.

Aside from the miles of maintained single track, we took a gondola ride all the way to the top of the ski area where there was access to a surprisingly good restaurant. Afterward, we paraded on both the mountain coaster and alpine slides as we beamed like little children. These were just a couple of the fun “extras” we could participate in, but we had an appointment to catch.

UTMB and Speedgoat offered a full expo area to explore some of the best brands in the business. Of course, race merch was available but so were brands like Hoka, FKT sunglasses, Naak nutrition, Vibram repair shop, and more. Our schedule had us checking out Suunto’s wide range of beautifully crafted watches.

What I was most amped for was the live Freetrail session with Dylan Bowman, Karl Meltzer (aka the Speedgoat), Nico Mermoud (co-founder of Hoka), and Jared Smith (Product Line Manager for Hoka). The panel was shoe nerd heaven! The topic? The Hoka Speedgoat 6 launch, of course, Origins. Development. Culture. It was all covered from every angle.

Dinner and drinks with Hoka were the final stops of the day… well, as marked on the schedule. Can I get a hot tub?! As we sat on the terrace, I felt gratitude wash over me gently like the padding waves on my feet at the beach. The cool air, calm glow of the sun on the mountains, and the content chatter of people who have bisected in this moment– another prime example of the “essence of trail.”

Day 3: The Speedgoat 50K

Waking up was a little foggy thanks to the fun group… and maybe the cocktails being dished out at the end of the night. Even that didn’t stop me from throwing on sweats and walking over to see the early morning start of the premier Speedgoat 50K.

Aside from being one of the hardest courses in the states, it also attracts stout professional competition every single year. In the past, legendary names like Kilian Jornet, Anna Frost, Anton Krupicka, Jim Walsmley, Hayden Hawks, Anna Mae Flynn, and Adam Peterman have graced the leaderboard. It’s one of the UTMB World Series Majors stops where elites can gain entry into UTMB World Series Finals race week in Chamonix, France, essentially the Super Bowl or running.

In fact, any runner can earn qualifying points to get into UTMB World Series Final week races by earning “stones” to enter the lottery. Completion of any UTMB World Series event (20k or longer) will grant you points. More race completions gives you better odds in the lottery system. It is a lifetime achievement to be able to participate.

Here at the start line was a lineup of runners in that elite cadre, and you can rest assured that plenty of them would toe the line in France next month.

That was the beginning of the day, with so much more to come.

As with any sport, trail running does have barriers, including the basic human need for safety. Since many members of the Hoka Trail Collective are brand new to trails, it made sense that Hoka offered the opportunity for some self-defense classes led by Nicole Snell, CEO of Girls Fight Back and founder of Outdoor Defense.

Nicole’s prevailing message was to be prepared (with a few basic skills and some area knowledge), be aware, and trust your gut. Nobody should be scared to run or be on trails alone. Scanning the room after the workshop, I could tell that many of the participants were sitting a little taller, feeling more confident than before.

As much as I appreciated the self-defense class, as a fan of ultrarunning and racing in general, my ADHD kept pulling my brain back to the 50K race going on right outside. So, as soon as we were dismissed, we all hopped the gondola to the top of the race course. The 50K front runners would be cresting the high point of the course for a second time.

We stepped into the cooler, thinner air at 11,000 feet. Undoubtedly, runners would be suffering at this point in the race. While 21K athletes were able to hit the aid station and bomb to the finish, 50K athletes were fighting for every breath to move quickly through the aid station before the mid-morning cutoff. Camaraderie was electric! Cheering and bells and full support amped runners to get their butts over this peak and down the other side before time ran out. Even race director Karl Meltzer was grabbing people by the pack-strap and pulling them through the aid station all the while filling their water and getting them snacks. Nobody was surrendering if he was around. 

Soon after, from the opposite side of the mountain, the lead runners came into view. A sassy little spine with a small single track carved into the top of it led them back up to this aid station for the second time. I couldn’t not put my own feet to that trail, so a couple of us trotted down the ridge to view the frontrunners.

The interesting thing about trail running, especially mountain races and ultra distances, is that the floor is wide open for anyone who chooses to dance. Even with a field stacked with pros, the top 10 was littered with names you’ve never heard of. There are OTQ marathoners and people who come from a skiing background who simply can’t pry themselves out of the mountains for a season. Even though the events last for hours, it’s a grab-your-popcorn type of viewing. This is my kind of drama!

First place overall went to David Sinclair. Have you heard of him? This is my point! He’s unsponsored and prefers cross country skiing as his sport of choice. He only started running as a way to continue training for skiing. Sinclair qualified for the Olympic Trials in the marathon. His performance this year at Speedgoat broke both Jim Walmsley’s and Adam Peterman’s course records by a 5-minute margin. Did I mention he wore half of a team USA kit with a Hawaiian shirt the entire time? In the process, David became the only athlete to break 5 hours on the Speedgoat 50K course, including more than 11,000 feet of gain at altitude. 

There are so many factors outside of fitness that come into play for trail runners. The Hoka Trail Collective witnessed it all firsthand. Uphill running/hiking skill, aid station management, body handling on technical terrain, and pacing were just a few elements on display before athletes slammed the final 10K down to the finish line. By the time they reached it, the top 10 we saw was not the same. Athletes with prior course experience, or those with downhill skill, took over and shook things up dramatically. 

In the Hoka Trail Collective, we had all the visuals and motivation we needed to head out on our own run. Our coaches leveraged those for direct application. They preached on consistent efforts, growing an inch, hot potatoes, and belly buttons– all very practical tidbits to practice during our run. 

To no surprise, our route (which was also on all race routes) included the Hoka vertical Strava segment where we were able to put all our skills to the test. Deep breaths commenced as we reached the top of the segment where wildflowers and glacial streams abounded. It was now time for the fun part. We cruised down fire roads and single track to the base of Snowbird. Along the way, we met runners from the 21k and 50k races who were targeting the same endpoint. 

Only a couple tumbles occurred. Momma always says, “It ain’t a trail run unless it’s muddy and bloody.” Me quoting my mom didn’t seem to help all that much with the newbies, but a fall is bound to occur on the trails. Even so, laughs and conversations ensued the remainder of the run. 

Big shout out to Angela for wipeout of the weekend! 

It was the last time we’d be hitting the trails before our weekend came to a close; however, a  quick dip in the hot tub (aka dude soup) and Montucky Cold Snack was a must before freshening up, because our time together was not over.  More grub and bevies was the only appropriate way to bookend our Hoka Trail Collective weekend. 

In some ways the last night mirrored our first. It was also entirely different. We’re the same group here for the same experience. This time, it was a bit deeper. In three short days, relationships and trust were built with one another. Again, this is trail magic at work. This is good people experiencing things together at work. 

Of course, we shared dessert again at the end of the night. This time, Hoka founder Niko also grabbed a spoon and dug in. 

As in the beginning, one by one, members peeled off and back to their rooms. The night was late, flights were early, and it was simply time to say goodbye. Well, rather, until next time. This was just the start of our journey together.

The Hoka Trail Collective, I believe, is a good metaphor for our space in time. Even though we are the least likely group to find each other and pursue something together, that’s exactly what we are doing. Thanks to the trail and the community that surrounds it, we are bound by our experiences here. Such experiences and people are motivating to strive for a brighter, more beautiful future. 

Even though hope in such a world can sometimes wane, it’s possible! We’ll take our lessons learned in the dirt and apply them straight back to the paths we travel in life. It will require engagement in the here and now, acknowledging circumstances and acting accordingly with the community around us. 

The more I let my fingers fly to close out this journal entry, the more the trail community is sounding like a utopian cult. Maybe it is, but I’m proud to be a part of it. From my experiences, I have found that this “circle” is open to all people and walks of life. Like my fellow Hoka Trail Collective Members, I encourage you to discover the “essence of trail” and see for yourself. 

Stay tuned for more as we train toward our next race in October, the Kodiak Ultras by UTMB.