Strava fans: if you’re not following these runners, you’re missing out
Have fun (and maybe learn a few things) checking out the training regimes of these trail running dynamos
Photo by:
Instagram/kilianjornet
Love geeking out on data and scoping out how the pros train? Strava has some great suggestions of trail and ultra athletes to follow. While you might not want to replicate their (sometimes bafflingly hard) workouts, it can be neat to see how the best of the sport get their long (and short) mileage in. Here’s who to press follow on today.
Kilian Jornet
Jornet, arguably the GOAT of mountain ultrarunning, has some of the most fascinating Strava data there is. “Does anyone make better use of 3D maps on Strava? Not a single activity of Jornet seems to be flat–many of his “runs” would qualify as fifth-class climbing for most of us,” Strava points out. Follow his adventures as he explores the mountains around his home base in Norway.
Jim Walmsley
Walmsley is spending the year in Chamonix to train for UTMB, after climbing his way to the top of the sport in North America. Follow Walmsley as he explores the Alps on foot and by skis.
Lucy Bartholomew
“Full-time pro athlete, full-time foodie,” says Strava. Bartholomew shares her training and the delicious meals she eats–she has a website full of delicious recipes you’ll be craving after you start following along.
Amelia Boone
Boone is a four-time Obstacle Course Racing world champ, as well as a stellar ultrarunner. She’s also a lawyer, and a staunch advocate of healthy fuelling for women athletes. Boone finds joyful and creative ways to incorporate cycling with her partner, (also a great follow) Ryan Duzer, into her training. A veteran of the sport, she has learned how to balance training hard with having fun.
Krupicka is a legendary (almost mythical) creature in the ultratrail world. His training is dynamic and creative and he logs workouts in a fascinating way. He doesn’t just run–he also bikes and skis, and once you start following his adventures you’ll be stoked to see where he races next. What will all that beautiful mileage result in? We can’t wait to see.
Woltering (based in Georgia, and formerly in the midwest) races often and is climbing the ultratrail ranks. He has shared his sobriety journey along with his training, and has a great sense of humour about the ups and downs of the sport (both literally and figuratively). “Follow Coree as he continues to break new ground in the sport,” says Strava. Woltering is headed back to Western States 100 this year, and you’ll want to be along for the ride.
Allie McLaughlin
McLaughlin may be the best short-distance mountain runner on the planet. 2022 was a phenomenal season for McLaughlin, and she seems to be getting remarkably stronger with every challenge she tackles. She’s a powerhouse of strength, conquering every climb that comes her way.
Canada’s Case is an ultrarunner extraordinaire. The athlete is also a human rights advocate and lawyer, and is based both in Chamonix and Afghanistan. Case was the second woman at the 2022 Hardrock 100, and manages to find unique ways to both train and recover.
We have many more favourites, but we’ll leave you with those to scope out for now. Who is your favourite athlete to follow?
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