#golden-ticket

#golden-ticket

For the past three years, when the calendar is about to flip to a new year, I have shared my predictions for ultrarunning for the year ahead. Looking at the predictions I made for 2023, 2024, and 2025, it's clear to see that they've been a "you win some, you lose some" affair over the years. While successfully predicting no Barkley Marathons finishers and the resurgence of Jim Walmsley in 2025, as well as the increased influence of UTMB and Ironman on the sport in 2023, I failed in my predictions of the creation of a Cocodona 250 Mile lottery for the 2026 event, the growth of mom and pop events, and elite athlete crossover between sports.