Show Notes
🏆 “He ran through a storm — and came out a champion.”When freezing rain, 40 mph wind, and mud hit DC Peaks 50, Eli White didn’t just survive — he thrived. The Salt Lake Running Company athlete takes us behind the scenes of his shocking 2025 victory, sharing how he trained, fueled, and battled for the win on one of the toughest ultramarathon days ever.In this episode of The Next Aid Station, hosts Jake Kilgore and Mick “Lucky Pierre” dive deep into Eli’s mindset, gear choices, and wildest race moments — including how a mid-race fall, caffeine boost, and strategic moves sealed his win.Whether you’re training for your first ultra or chasing a 100-mile PR, this episode is a masterclass in racing smart under pressure.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome & Winner IntroductionEli White joins the pod fresh off his DC Peaks 50 victory — and “People’s Choice” favorite.01:00 – Betting on the Podium: Who Called It Right?The hosts break down their pre-race picks and how the stormy day reshaped the results.02:30 – Eli’s Journey: From Biology Professor to Running ProHow Eli went from teaching science to managing Salt Lake Running Company — and why it changed his life.04:45 – Why He Signed Up Last Minute for DC Peaks 50What pushed Eli to finally register just two weeks before race day.06:15 – Race Day Chaos: The Storm, the Course, and Staying AliveHow he planned his splits in the middle of unpredictable weather.08:00 – The Turning Point: When Eli Took the LeadA deep dive into his mid-race battle with Matt — and how a caffeine gel and rain jacket swap changed everything.12:20 – The Chase: Passing Matt and Building the GapEli explains exactly where and how he made his move through North Canyon’s smooth trails.15:10 – The Muddy Showdown at SummerwoodThe out-and-back moment that sealed the win — and what it’s like seeing your competition mid-race.18:00 – The Wild Finish Line CelebrationInside Eli’s “home run” finish and what made this stormy race so unforgettable.19:10 – Race Weekend Decisions: Saturday or Sunday?Eli breaks down how runners voted and why he preferred running through the rain.21:30 – Battling the Weather: Wind, Rain, and Survival ModeRunning through freezing wind, soaked trails, and mental toughness at its peak.25:00 – Shoe Talk: What Carried Him to VictoryThe surprising shoe choice that helped him win — and a mini gear chat with Jake & Mick.29:00 – Inside the Salt Lake “JV Team”Meet the crew behind Utah’s rising trail runners — and the inside jokes that power them.30:00 – Bear 100: Redemption Story in the MakingEli’s unfinished business at Bear 100 and how he plans to come back stronger.33:00 – Taper Tips & Pre-Race MindsetEli’s philosophy on tapering, training, and keeping your legs fresh.39:00 – Future Goals & Marathon SpeedFrom a 2:31 marathon to mountain ultras — what’s next for Eli White.41:00 – Closing Thoughts: Lessons from the StormThe mindset, preparation, and grit behind one of the gnarliest DC Peaks finishes ever.
More from The Next Aid Station
On this episode of The Next Aid Station, Jake Kilgore and Mick Garrison kick things off with Lexi Glenn, the inaugural women's course record holder at the DC Peaks 100, who shares her experience running an impressive 27-hour race. Then, the conversation turns to the 2026 Moab 240 and the controversy surrounding severe weather, race cancellations, and the decisions made by race management. Drawing on their own experience as race directors, Jake and Mick discuss weather preparedness, emergency protocols, and the challenges of managing runners spread across hundreds of miles of terrain. They question whether different decisions could have allowed some runners to continue safely rather than ending the race for everyone still on course. The discussion also revisits the early days of DC Peaks, including their own experiences navigating difficult weather and the lessons they've learned about making tough calls in the backcountry. It's a candid conversation about ultrarunning, race directing, accountability, and balancing runner safety with the desire to finish a 240-mile race.
Elijah Syndergaard joins Jake and Mick on The Next Aid Station after winning the inaugural DC Peaks 100 in a course-record time of 21:56. We break down his race, from battling the heat and grinding up Temple Ridge to finding a way through the low points and making it to the finish. We also get into course-marking challenges, feedback from the inaugural race, and what the future of DC Peaks could look like. How long will Elijah’s course record last? Could someone eventually break 20 hours? And what would it take to make that happen? Plus, we discuss the realities of pacing and crew support, race-day fueling, and whether Elijah would get a DC Peaks tattoo in exchange for free entry. Thanks to Elijah for joining us—and congratulations on an incredible first year at DC Peaks!
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