Season 4 of The Next Aid Station is officially underway.

We kick things off by diving into the current state of ultra running, breaking down the top 10 men’s and women’s ultra runners shaping the sport right now. From dominant veterans to athletes redefining what’s possible, we talk performances, trends, and what’s standing out heading into the season.

We also preview what’s ahead in Season 4—new conversations, deeper storytelling, and a continued focus on the people, races, and moments that make ultra running what it is.

Whether you’re lining up for your first ultra or deep in the sport, Season 4 starts here.

1-star reviews, Hardrock drama, doping fears, and the future of ultrarunning.

In this episode of The Next Aid Station, we take an unfiltered look at where trail and ultrarunning is headed — and why not everyone likes what we have to say.

We read and react to brutal podcast reviews, break down Hardrock lottery controversy, debate Ultrarunner of the Year candidates, and talk openly about money, pressure, and the growing risk of doping as the sport professionalizes.

From Courtney Dauwalter’s future and comeback seasons, to why saying the quiet part out loud gets you 1-star ratings, this episode pulls no punches.

If you care about the direction of trail running — the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable — this conversation is for you.

• 1-star reviews & internet outrage culture

• Hardrock lottery drama & elite selection

• Courtney Dauwalter & Katie Schide predictions

• Ultrarunner of the Year debates

• Prize money, sponsorships & ACG’s impact

• Doping concerns in ultrarunning

• Comeback seasons vs DNFs

• 2026 predictions for the sport

⭐ If you enjoy honest conversations about trail & ultrarunning, consider leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — it helps the show more than you think.

🎧 New episodes every week.

This week on The Next Aid Station, we break down the matchups trail running has been waiting for: Courtney DeWalter vs. Katie Schide and Caleb Olson vs. Tom Evans. With Hardrock and Western States fields taking shape, the stage is set for some of the most competitive racing the sport has ever seen.

We also get into the upcoming lotteries, Utah’s new 200-miler, Christian Allen’s breakout road performance, the TRE scheduling fiasco, and the latest trail running film debates. From bold hot takes to real analysis, this episode dives into every corner of the sport — the drama, the rivalries, and the races that will define 2025.

In this episode:

• Courtney vs Katie: early Hardrock predictions

• Caleb vs Tom: Western States showdown potential

• Why Western is suddenly stacked again

• Christian Allen’s 2:09 marathon and mountain crossover

• Utah announces a 200-mile race

• Mike McKnight gets into Hardrock

• Chuckanut 50K planning

• Trail running film of the year debates

• College football chaos (and how we’d fix it)

• Scott’s Hurt 100 training updates

Follow the show, share it with a friend, and join us next week as we reveal our official Ultra Runner of the Year picks.