WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to the February edition of Sub Hub Headlines! And welcome to 2025!!!

Excitedly yours, Dani and EmKay

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🌟 We were sorry to miss y’all in January, but time spent with family and friends were our priority. If you missed December’s newsletter, don’t worry, you can catch up here!

✨ PSA: If you haven’t already, be sure to follow us on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and Instagram—don’t miss out!

🎙️ Coming soon on the pod:

• A fun crossover episode with the Keely Henniger and Corrine Malcom from the Trail Society podcast where we talk about the women’s coaching among other sub-ultra things.

• Episodes with two of the top 50K athletes in the USA, but we will keep those names a surprise🤫😉

Sub Hub Stories: Christian Allen - From Trails to Tarmac, Trail Running’s Fastest Road Marathoner

Christian Allen is a Nike Trail sponsored athlete based out of Utah. Last month, Christian ran the fastest marathon time (as far as we can find) by a trail runner in the US with his 2:10:32 and 7th place at the Houston Marathon. We caught up with Christian after his race to talk training, racing and the 2025 season.

This is your second marathon, with your first being at CIM in 2023 where you ran 2:15. What has changed in your training or racing in that time to bring your PR down 5 minutes?

Frankly nothing has changed. I was on pace for 2:09:40ish in my first marathon all the way through mile 23. My issue with my first marathon was that my bottles didn’t get put out or they were on the wrong table and I didn’t get any fuel unitl mile 13.5, and then not again until mile 20 and 23 (due to my own fault of missing mile 16 table). Anyways, with the marathon it’s all about preventing the bonk and once you miss early bottles it’s pretty much impossible to play catch up. My first marathon was a disappointing blow up so bad and running 2:15 but it showed me that I can run 2:09-2:10. While the weather wasn’t ideal in Houston I still wanted to see how close to 2:09 I could get and on that day it just happened to be a 2:10:30.

Do you use road running as an addition of speed to your trail training and do you plan to race roads more frequently? 

Yes! I think it is pertinent to have speed sessions mixed in with trail work. Speed and threshold sessions help build your economy, but outside of that in trail running you have to be able to switch gears. After long climbs there is often a flat section or downhill and being able to then turn those legs over and get moving can make or break a race for you. I think I’d like to race maybe two marathons and one or two half’s a year and maybe a USATF road champ race if it lines up. I was planning on running a half and US cross champs before Houston but got sick twice in my build and was feeling crummy when the races rolled around so I had to back out. Next year I think I’ll do Valencia marathon, and Tokyo or Boston or London with some other road races and cross country race sprinkled in between.

We know that you are coached by David Roche, but you occasionally train with Connor Mantz and Clayton Young. Do you think their experience and guidance has helped you become a better marathoner? If so, how?

Yes, David has been amazing! Such an inspirational, kind, encouraging and loving friend and coach. I’m really lucky to be working with him! I’m super fortunate to live where I do and grateful that Ed Eyestone lets me hop in and join his pro group. Being able to workout with Conner Mantz, Clayton Young, Kenny Rooks and occasionally the BYU team is a big blessing. Unfortunately it sometimes causes me and David to have to change up our workouts but I’ve found training with people always makes the workouts feel easier.

Does David prescribe you trail workouts and road workouts or do you work with another coach for roads? 

David does both, but I will say I audible a bit on road workouts to have training partners but there are also times when I decide to workout on my own and do what David planned instead of joining the Provo boys.

Do you think that the confidence of running a 2:10 will help you in your trail races this coming year? 

I think it could help a bit, I think confidence and self belief is something I always strive to work on regardless of performances. We all have good and bad ones so I think I build more confidence off of the process or build instead of certain races. 

You’re heading into your second year as a Nike Trail athlete. How has it been working with Nike?

Nike has been very supportive of my aspirations on and off the trails. I have loved the innovation and growth they are making in the trail realm and the small part I have been able to play in prototyping shoes and providing ideas or feedback.

What is it like being a dad of 3 little ones and being a professional runner?

Hahaha it keeps us busy! Between being a dad, a general manager and now part owner of a running store and professionally running I have to do a lot of balancing and make sure I’m being diligent in the small and big things. Even with how crazy our lives are we wouldn’t have it any other way, we feel beyond blessed with beautiful and fun kids. 

What are you plans for the trails this year?

Still planning things out but here is a rough plan of some things I’ll do! There is a small chance things might audible if I decide to do UTMB.

• April 19th - Kobe Trail, GTWS - Japan

• May 17th - Il Golfo Del Isolla trail, GTWS - Italy

• May 25th - Zegama-Aizkorri, GTWS - Spain

• June 1st -USA Classic Mountain Championships at Loon Mountain - New Hampshire

• June 14th - Twisted Fork 15K - Utah

• June 20th - Broken Arrow Ascent USA Vertical Championships - California

• June 22nd - Broken Arrow 23k - California

• June 29th - UTMX, GTWS - Mexico

• July 12th - Snowbird Cirque Series - Utah 

• August 2nd - Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail, GTWS - Austria

• August 9th - Sierre Zinal, GTWS - Switzerland 

• August 23rd - Alta Cirque Series - Utah

• August 30th - Targhee Cirque Series - Utah

• September 25-28 - World Mountain and Trail Running Championships - Canfranc, Spain 

• October 9-12 - GTWS Final - TBD

• November 1 - Moab Half Marathon Trail Championships - Utah

• November 14 - Dirt Circus USATF 10k Championships - Arkansas

• November 22 - JFK 50 Miler - Maryland

Results Recap

As the year kicks off, race results are still trickling in, but we want to take a moment to highlight trail runners who are testing their speed on the roads and cross-country courses

🤠Houston Marathon

• Christian Allen – Multiple Time USA Trail Champion – 2:10:32 – Top American and 7th overall

• CJ Albertson – 50k World Record Holder – 2:21:38

• Calum Neff – 2:24:21 

• Devon Yanko – 2:50:45

🤠Houston Half Marathon

• Adrian MacDonald – Two-time Leadville 100 Mile winner – 68:48

🇺🇸U.S. Cross Country Championships

• Joseph Gray – Multiple USA Trail Champion – 25:31 – Masters 8k Winner 

• Andy Wacker – USA Trail Veteran – 30:13 – 4th in Open Men’s 10k

• Renee Metivier – 22:24 – Masters Women’s 6k Winner

🇭🇰Hong Kong 100K - The Half

World Trail Majors started a “short” series to be included with their 100K race series. The first of these took place alongside the Hong Kong 100K with “The Half” - a 56K race. Jian Jian Yang of China won the men’s race in 4:36 and Ram May Budha won the women’s race in 5:34.

🇰🇪Tindiret Barng’etuny Mountain Run

At the end of last year we saw Team Run 2gether put on a race to bring more trail athletes to Keyna, and the country seems to be continuing this effort with their “Magical Kenya Mountain and Trail Series”. The first race of 2025 took place on January 18 with a 14K race that also served as a selection race for the WMTRC in Spain.

Women’s Results

1. Janeth Chepngetich - 1:23:18

2. Mercy Chemutai - 1:26:48

3. Mirriam Chepkirui - 1:28:04

Men’s Results

1. Alfred Kipkemoi Cheruiyot - 1:09:04

2. Ken Koros - 1:09:33

3. Richard Omaya Atuya - 1:09:35

🇬🇧Arc of Attrition

UTMB starts off their 2025 series in the U.K. at the Arc of Attrition. The short trail distance at this event was a 25 mile race. Sara Alonso wins the women’s race in 3:04 and Kristian Jones wins the men’s race in 2:41.

Current Series Calendars

🌍World Mountain Running Association - many of the races in the 2025 WMRA calendar are races that will duplicate in the Golden Trail World Series calendar as well. The WMRA season and final will finish a month in advance of this years World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in September.

✨Golden Trail Worlds Series - this year the Golden Trail goes shorter and earlier than normal. With the World Mountain and Trail Championships happening in September, Golden Trail has decided to finish their regular season at Sierre Zinal in August.

🏔Skyrunner World Series - Skyrunner comes into 2025 season with 22 regular season races and a Skymasters final. Many have said that Skyrunner is diluting it’s field by including so many races, but I see the different continents represented as an opportunity for athletes who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to show up to races and shine. 14 of the races are U23 qualifiers.

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Sub-Ultra Athletes of the Month

We’re holding off on selections this month since racing is just getting started—but stay tuned! Make sure you're subscribed and check back in March for our February picks. We can’t wait to see how athletes kick off their seasons!

We have a feeling we will have a lot to choose from.👀

USA Championship and Selection Race Chronicles

All USATF Championships and Team USA selection races we will be following this year, and you should too.😉

Looking Forward

Mesa Half Marathon – Arizona – February 8

A handful of trail athletes are set to take on this fast road half marathon, which takes place just before the Black Canyon 100K. Last year, Dani Moreno and Tabor Hemming raced, suggesting a growing trend of shorter-distance trail specialists mixing it up on the roads. This year, Tabor Hemming, Allie Ostrander, and Lauren Gregory are among those expected to toe the line.

Black Canyon 50K – World Trail Majors – Arizona – February 9

Now shortened from its previous 60K format, this race follows the 100K Golden Ticket showdown. It consistently attracts strong fields, often featuring athletes supporting Black Canyon 100K runners. With Mountain Outpost’s coverage and its rising status within the World Trail Majors, this event is gaining serious momentum. Allison Baca, Chris Myers, Adam Merry, and Jeshurun Small headline this year’s entry list.

Tarawera 50K – UTMB – New Zealand – February 15

Similar to Black Canyon 50K, this race runs alongside a 100K Golden Ticket event. In past years, top Oceania athletes have dominated the podium, but with more brands prioritizing this race, we’re eager to see who lines up in 2025.

Transgrancanaria 46K – World Trail Majors – Gran Canaria – February 19

This early-season showdown on the Canary Islands is always exciting, featuring multiple race distances, including a VK, 46K, and 126K. In the women’s race, reigning champion Jenn Lichter looks to defend her title against Zegama winner Sylvia Nordskar and Spanish star Sara Alonso. On the men’s side, we’re still waiting for confirmation, but all eyes are on Robert Pkemoi Matayango to see if he goes for a three-peat.

Way Too Cool 50K – California – March 1

After last year’s cancellation forced a rare fall edition, the 35th Annual Way Too Cool 50K returns to its traditional March date. A new 10-mile trail race joins the lineup, offering a shorter but still exciting challenge. While the official entry list is hard to track down, this race has historically attracted strong fields using it as an early-season rust-buster.

Tell us what races we missed!