Crack A Brew With AJW

In this bonus Unplugged Episode AJW reflects back on his pre race picks, analyzes the evolving competitive density in both the men's and women's races, and discusses the emerging dominance of CTS as the preeminent Western States Endurance Coaching Company.  He finishes with a personal update and his plans for the summer.   Follow AJW on Instagram @ajoneswilkins

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Western States 100 co-founders Mo Livermore and Shannon Weil to re-live the origins of the race, provide details on some of the key characters in the history of the race, and provide some insight as to why, all these years later, they still have passion and devotion to this incredible event.

In this special episode AJW cracks a brew with 14 time Western States Champion Ann Trason.  In their wide ranging discussion they talk about Ann's legacy at the event, her unique relationship with the trail, and her thoughts about the future of women in ultrarunning.   Follow Ann on Instagram @ann.trason

In this latest AJW Unplugged episode AJW discusses the current projected race conditions, makes some predictions about the front end of the race, dives into some storylines he's be following, and summarizes what to him makes Western States like no other race.   Follow AJW on Instagram @ajoneswilkins

In this extraordinary episode AJW cracks a brew with Brian Morrison to talk about his race at the 2006 Western States, his tragic collapse on the track 200 meters from the finish line, and the book he has recently published to tell the story 20 years later.   Find Brian's amazing book here   Follow Brian on Instagram @briantmorrison    

In this episode AJW cracks a a brew with Zach Miller just a couple of weeks before his first run at the Western States 100.  In this wide ranging discussion they talk about Zach's long and successful career, some highlights from his early days as a runner and cruise ship worker, and his thoughts going into the 2026 Western States.   Follow Zach on Instagram @zachmiller38 Check out Miller v Hawks o...

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Montana ultrarunner Jeff Mogavero to discuss his hardscrabble upbringing back east, developing a love of the trails, and his thoughts and plans going into this year's Western States 100.   Follow Jeff on instagram @jeffmogavero Check out Jeff's website  jeffmogavero.com

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Hannah Allgood 7th place finisher at the 2025 Western States.  Along the way they discuss Hannah's background, her training, and her focus going into the 2026 Western States 100.   Follow Hannah on Instagram @shesallgood21

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with rising star on the Australian trail running scene Holly Ranson to talk about her Golden Ticket at Tarawera 100K, the challenges and joys of trail running in Australia, and all that she is excited about going into her first run at Western States next month.   Follow Holly on Instagram @hollyranson

In this most recent AJW Unplugged AJW provides some historical background on the recently completed Golden Ticket Series, looks ahead with predictions and analysis about the upcoming Cocodona 250, and provides a personal update about all that he's been up to recently and what's ahead for him.   Follow AJW on Instagram @ajoneswilkins Learn about AJWs coaching practice  here Check out Dylan Harris's...

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with runner/writer Sarah Lavender Smith to discuss running into middle age and the balance required to continue in the sport for the long term.  Sarah also turns the mic on AJW and asks him some very provocative questions.  It's a fun one!   Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahrunning Check out Sarah's website  sarahlavendersmith.com And her Substack  sarahrunning.sub...

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Jacob Banta, elite trail runner and renowned photographer/videographer to discuss his Golden Ticket at Tarawera in February, his build up to the 2026 Western States 100, and how he strives to balance his perspective on the sport from both sides of the camera lens.   Follow Jacob on Instagram @banta.visuals Check out Jacob's work at his website  bantavisuals.c...

In this episode AJW cracks a brew when Meg Eckert to discuss her incredible 6 Day World Record of over 600 miles, her upcoming race at the Cocodona 250, and how she balances the unique demands of multi day races on the trail and the track.   Follow Meg on Instagram @megan_eckert

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with North Carolina's Canyon Woodward to discuss his unique upbringing in the mountains of Western North Carolina, his career as a grassroots political organizer and his hopes for the future as he prepares for the 2026 Western States 100.   Follow Canyon on instagram @canyonwoodward Learn about his organization Dirtroad Organizing  here

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Colorado based trail and ultrarunner Imogen Ainsworth to talk about her active upbringing in athletics, her incredible 2nd place finish at the 2025 Leadville 100 and her hopes and dreams going into her 2026 season.   Follow Imogen on instagram @imogenainsworth

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with 2025 Rookie of the Year Anne Flower.  They discuss her assault on Ann Trason's Leadville Course Record, her world record 50 miler, and her Western States dreams going into the Black Canyon 100K   Follow Anne on Instagram @_flowpow_   Check out our website!

In this first episode of Season 13 AJW cracks a brew with Will Murray, Rookie of the Year for 2025 and an all around great guy.  Along the way they talk about the connection between teaching and running and how Will manages to stay so calm in the midst of the chaotic world of high level ultrarunning.   Follow Will on Instagram @willmurray.run Check out our website.

In this special New Year's Day Episode of Crack a Brew with AJW we review our predictions from 2025, make three wishes for 2026, and launch a new book review feature as well as providing a personal update on training, racing, and all things in between.   Follow AJW on instagram @ajoneswilkins

In this episode, for the 3rd consecutive year, AJW cracks a brew with  Finn  Melanson to discuss the year in ultrarunning.  In addition to sharing their picks for these prestigious awards they also comment on rookie of the year, surprise of the year, most inspirational of the year, FKT of the year and best trail running film of the year.    Check out  Finn 's excellent podcast here Follow Finn on...

In this latest episode in the Youth Movement series AJW cracks a brew with 27 year old trail runner Annie Hughes to discuss her passion for really long distance races, returning from injury, and her hopes and dreams for the year ahead.   Follow Annie on instagram @annie.a.hughes

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with 2025 Western States Champion Caleb Olson to discuss training and racing with a young and growing family, his great story about receiving the coveted Western States Cougar trophy, and his pursuit of climbing 1,000,000 vertical feet in 2025.   Follow Caleb on Instagram @calebolson123

In this latest episode of the Youth Movement series AJW cracks a brew with East Coast Crusher Lila Gaudrault to talk about her love of the East Coast Trail Running, how she balances running with a full-time health care job and her thoughts going into her first ever race "out west" The Cocodona 250!   Follow Lila on Instagram @lilagaudrault

In this episode AJW Cracks a Brew with 23 year old Missouri ultrarunner Cody Poskin to discuss his approach to training and racing, the youth movement in long distance running, and his experience running (and winning!) the Ultra Gobi 400K race in China.   Follow Cody on Instagram @cody_poskin

In this episode AJW cracks a brew with 25 year old Hans Troyer to discuss his experiences with Rhabdomyolisis at the 2024 Black Canyon 100K, hist experience at his first Western States in 2025 and his hopes for the upcoming JFK 50.   Follow Hans on Instagram @hanstroyer Check out the film "The Kid" right  here

In this first episode of the Youth Movement series AJW cracks a brew with 20 year old Kaylee Frederick of Pittsburgh, PA.  In their wide ranging conversation they discuss running ultras at a young age, silencing the doubters, and surprising the field at the 24 Hour World Championships earlier this year.   You can follow Kaylee on Instagram @frederick.kaylee