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A 20K with nearly 8,000 feet of climbing shouldn’t exist, and yet Whiteface Sky Race is about to make a whole field of strong runners question their life choices. Steve Taylor joins us from smoky Colorado Springs as we turn our full attention to Whiteface, the opener of the Merrill U.S. Skyrunner Circuit, and one of the steepest, most punishing race profiles you’ll find in the United States. Two loops. A massive early climb that gains about 3,000 feet in 2.5 miles. Long stretches that flirt with 30% to 40% grade. No hiding from it.

We talk through what that terrain demands, from steep hiking strength and leg durability to the psychology of being told to go do it all again for lap two. The Adirondacks and Lake Placid backdrop get their own moment too, because this region’s rugged trails, wet technical footing, and big-mountain feel are exactly why this race belongs on a skyrunning calendar. If you’re the kind of trail runner who loves “kick you in the teeth” courses, Whiteface is the blueprint.

Then we get tactical: Morgan Elliott’s form and résumé, who might hang on early, and the under-the-radar names that could surprise when the grade turns brutal. On the women’s side we spotlight Robin Vierre-Brower, dig into challengers, and talk winning-time expectations. We also look ahead to the season stakes and the Kismet Cliff Run final on September 13 in North Conway, New Hampshire. Subscribe, share this with your mountain running crew, and leave a review. Who’s your podium pick for Whiteface?

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A double loop can turn a mountain race into a mind game fast. We sit down with Robin Vieira Brower right as Whiteface Sky Race week kicks off to talk through what changes when you know you have to climb the same mountain twice and still have the legs to descend it. Robin shares why she’d normally rather disappear into a point-to-point style course, and how she plans to use lap one as a live course study so she can be more intentional and efficient when it’s time to go again.

We also get honest about what makes East Coast skyrunning feel uniquely brutal: steep grades, quad-crushing descents, and long stretches where “running” turns into fast hiking. Robin breaks down how she thinks about pacing that first downhill, why hiking-heavy terrain gives her a mental break from flat-speed turnover, and what it’s like to race when you might be alone for big chunks of the day. That solitude can mess with your confidence, but it can also sharpen focus if you stay present and commit to racing your own race.

On the practical side, we talk gear and prep: choosing between trusted Norda trail shoes and a more structured option for security, squeezing in a travel-day shakeout, and how much course scouting is helpful without tipping into overthinking. Robin also explains why she’s keeping nutrition steady rather than experimenting, and why a solid, controlled day matters after months of injury setbacks and life stress. If you care about skyrunning strategy, mountain running mindset, and smart comeback racing, this one’s for you.
Subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a review with your best tip for staying steady when the race gets steep.

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A two-loop skyrace sounds straightforward until you’re halfway through lap one and realize the real battle is in your head. We sit down with Morgan Elliott just before Whiteface Skyrace in upstate New York, where family is nearby, the terrain is steep, and the season is already packed with travel, racing, and big expectations.

We get into what makes Whiteface different: a double-loop format, ski resort climbing that can feel brutally simple, and the mental math of how hard you can push when you know you have to do it all again. Morgan shares how he thinks about effort management, why he’d rather negative split than go out blazing hot, and how tricky it can be when multiple races start together and the early pack might be running a shorter distance.

From there we zoom out to the US Skyrunning Series and the larger skyrunning world, including how points, finals, and prize purses shape a season without fully defining it. Morgan talks about chasing experiences as much as results, why Alaska’s running community feels more like Europe’s fan culture, and the honest truth that winning without real competition can feel like nothing. We wrap with a fun detour into iconic courses like Quest for the Crest and Broken Arrow, and what great course design really takes.

If you care about skyrunning, trail running strategy, mountain racing culture, and how elite athletes stay motivated, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a review with the race you most want to see Morgan take on next.

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