Human Potential Running Series

23/09/2026

🌲 Mark those calendars for the 9th Annual SAWMILL TRAIL RUNS on Dec 5th! 🌲

🚨REGISTRATION OPENS October 1st, with early-bird pricing through October 8th! 🚨

Distances will once again include 8 miles, 16 miles, and 50k, regardless of the weather. Join us for our annual December classic!

22/09/2026

Episode 85 of the HPRS Podcast is out! In this clip, Stefan Schuster talks about his purpose in running and how a DNF forces runners to question their purpose.

22/09/2026

Episode 85 of the HPRS Podcast is out! In this clip, RD John talks about how a DNF forces us to ask, "What needs to change?"

22/09/2026

Episode 85 of the HPRS Podcast is out! In this clip, RD John reminds us how important it is to remember the "view within."

22/09/2026

HPRS Podcast – Episode 85: The Anatomy of a DNF – Burnout, Perspective, and the View Within

What happens when a runner who has finished 16 consecutive 100-milers finally has to walk up to an aid station tent and utter the words: “I What happens when a runner who has finished 16 consecutive 100-milers finally has to walk up to an aid station tent and utter the words: “I quit”?

Take a run with the Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 85, host and HPRS race director John Lacroix is joined by ultrarunner and coach Stefan Schuster to break down Schuster’s first career DNF at the Crazy Mountain 100. Moving far beyond race splits, the two dive into the complex web of physical and psychological factors that lead to dropping out—from chronic injuries like plantar fasciitis and hamstring strains to physiological burnout, life stress, and overtraining.

John challenges the modern obsession with high mileage streaks and social media pedestals, sharing lessons from his own DNF history and urging runners to look beyond external validation. Together, they explore the difficult internal work of rediscovering your “why,” knowing when to step back from rigid training plans, reframing failure as a tool for personal growth, and remembering to appreciate not just the scenic mountain views, but the “view within.”

They close out the episode with a lighthearted deep dive into old-school ultrarunning swag etiquette—including whether you have the right to wear a race shirt if you didn’t cross the finish line.

What happens when a runner who has finished 16 consecutive 100-milers finally has to walk up to an aid station tent and utter the words: “I quit”? Take a run with the Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 85,

21/09/2026

The 9th Annual Sangre de Cristo Trail Festival is this coming weekend in Westcliffe, CO! Online registration will close at 11:59pm MT on Tuesday, Sept 22nd. We'll welcome race-day registration - We'll have plenty of room! Come join us on the Rainbow Trail for an awesome weekend of autumn trail running. Distances include our 8-mile, 27k, 50k, 50-mile, 100k, and 100-mile. Generous cutoffs, an amazing community, and beautiful scenery. It doesn't get any better. Let's Move Mountains!

14/09/2026

Our partners at COMBA are hosting a trail work day on Saturday, September 19th, at Indian Creek. On this day, you'd help finish some brand-new single-track trails they've just built within the network. If you volunteer with COMBA that day, please reach out so we can honor your earned Comp Entry* for trail work.

HPRS is a stakeholder member of the Outside 285 Regional Partnership Initiative, through which multiple trail projects will take place at Indian Creek, now and over the coming years. Alongside COMBA, we've worked hard to advocate for these projects and to help secure millions in funding to see it through. Please consider lending us a hand!

What you need to do: SignupRead the waivers under "Related Files" below. You will be asked if you agree to the terms and conditions later in the sign up process.Show up What to Expect: No Experience NecessaryWork entails raking, moving and setting rocks, hammering small rocks into smaller rocks, dig...

10/09/2026

🌲 The HPRS September 2026 Newsletter is Live! 🌲

Summer is winding down, and we’re gearing up for a packed fall and winter trail season starting with the Sangre de Cristo Trail Festival later this month!

In this month’s letter, Sherpa John reflects on the post-Sheep Mountain reset, looks ahead to 2027, and breaks down important community, pricing, and policy updates.

Here’s what’s inside this month’s issue:
🍂 Fall & Winter Season Ahead: A look forward to Sangre de Cristo (Sept 26–27), Sawmill & Stories registration opening on October 1st, and saving the date for RegFest on December 6th!

💵 2027 Race Pricing Breakdown: Radical transparency on why and how our pricing structure is adjusting slightly (starting with Sawmill), while firmly maintaining our promise to keep entry fees at or below industry averages.

📋 Major Policy Updates: A full revamp of the HPRS Policies page, including expanded Parental Deferral Policies (now allowing deferrals to any HPRS race within 2 years), along with clarified policies on audio/speakers, anti-doping integrity, and public lands regulations.

🎟️ Ways to Save & Give Back: How to utilize volunteer credits, earn entries, and tap into the HPRS Community Fund so socioeconomic barriers never keep you off the trail.

🎙️ Podcast Episodes & Community News: Catch up on the latest episodes, unfiltered trail talk, and behind-the-scenes happenings.

👉 Read the full newsletter here:

https://hprs.beehiiv.com/p/monthly-newsletter-september-2026

News, updates, and more from Colorado's Human Potential Running Series (HPRS). 2027 Pricing Announced, as well as critical policy updates.

04/09/2026

Oh Look! 👀 Peak foliage during the Sangre de Cristo Trail Festival over Sept 26-27th in Westcliffe. And what's that? Peak foliage is just ending the weekend of the Indian Creek Trail Runs on October 17th in Sedalia/Littleton. It's going to be another picture-perfect year for these two runs. Get signed up!

31/08/2026

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 84 of the show, host John Lacroix welcomes Stefan Schuster back to the program to discuss Cocodona and ultrarunning safety, addressing the impact of tragic events on the ultrarunning community and the importance of risk management. The conversation delves into the responsibilities of race directors in prioritizing runner safety; the challenges of live-tracking devices and bandwidth limitations; risk management and safety in ultrarunning; and the controversy surrounding assisted finishes. The conversation delves into the ethical concerns in ultrarunning, particularly related to medical wellness checks and the use of banned substances. It also explores the impact of doping on the sport and the ethical implications for athletes and race organizations.

Takeaways
• Risk management in ultrarunning
• Impact of tragic events on the ultrarunning community
• Race directors need to prioritize runner safety
• Live tracking devices and bandwidth limitations pose challenges for race events
• Ethical concerns in ultrarunning
• Impact of doping on the sport

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 84 of the show, host John Lacroix welcomes Stefan Schuster back to the program to discuss Cocodona and ultrarunning safety, addressing the impact of tragic events on the