Season 16 is HERE!
Apply by October 20th
Becoming Ultra is excited to announce that Season 16 is taking applications! We believe that ultra running should be a team sport and we have built more accountability than any other coaching format out there to get you to finish your first ultra! So, get ready to apply to take on your first 50k on the Mendocino Coast on April 19th!
Read more about the project below!
The Project/how it all works:
Basics:
Becoming Ultra takes runners and coaches them up for their first ultra. We partner with races we think are interesting and coaches that love the sport and love coaching. Then, we start looking for runners up for the challenge! We are a full service coaching and live event platform as well but the main project is what you are reading about right now!
Detailed:
We find an amazing place for runners to run their first ultra. This year, Mendocino Coast 50k fits the bill!
We partner with the race and set the date. April 19th, 2025
We find amazing coaches who are ready to coach runners for their first ultra. Learn more below!
This season, we have 4 coaches (Addie Bracy, Scott Jones, Ian Sharman, and Lindsay LaForce).
We put together an application for runners to apply to be a part of the project.
The Season 16 application will be open until October 20th!.
All runners agree to be on the podcast and to share their journey via social media when they apply. They also agree that they will be hiring the coach Oct until race day at the least.
Once the applications are all in, the coaches convene for a recorded call to select the runners they want to coach for the season. Each coach will coach 2 runners.
Once they are selected, runners will meet their coach via Zoom Call. We record the calls and they turn into podcast episodes. These shows inspire others to train and they allow others who can’t hire a coach to learn along with the runners on the podcast!
Runners share their journeys on the Social Media platform and get TONS of support and love from the community!
Everyone shows up in Mendocino and runs their first 50k to BECOME ULTRA runners with a crew.
That’s the general idea anyway!
More about This season:
This season we have partnered up with the Mendocino Coast 50k. This unique race runs along rivers, through redwoods, and along the coast of Mendocino above the Pacific. . The RD is Sid Garza-Hillman. He started the race 8 years ago and has even written a book called “Ultrarunning for Normal People: Life Lessons Learned on and Off the Trail”
Sid truly gets our mission and we can’t wait to bring a crew to his hometown.
The Race:
Directly from their site.
Mendocino County’s first ultra marathon, the Mendocino Coast 50K is a breathtaking trail run starting and ending at the Big River State Park just south of Mendocino Village. The race takes runners along the gorgeous Big River, deep into the forest, west on Russian Gulch (past a beautiful waterfall!), and finally delivering them to the home stretch—along the breathtaking Mendocino headlands.
Community and race weekend
One of the coolest parts of the Becoming Ultra project is that after 5 or 6 months of training and engaging with the other runners of the project, the coaches, and the big Team BU, you get to go run somewhere with a crew that really cares. From meet-ups to post race hikes and hang outs, we will be around to support you on the big race day!
Lets train and go run, crew, and support each other in California!
Season 16 Coaches
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Scott Jones
FOUNDER/COACH/ @athleteonfire
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Addie Bracy
COACH / ATHLETE/ @addiebracy
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Ian Sharman
COACH / ATHLETE/ @sharmanian
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Lindsay LaForce
COACH / DPT / @runlongwithlindsay
FAQs
How does it all work?
If you are interested in the race and the project then all you have to do is apply. The application has many details but the main thing is that you can commit to being in Virginia for the race and that you agree to be coached and share your journey via social media.
How much is it?
There is no cost associated with applying but if you do get chosen you are agreeing to pay for the coaching services of your coach. You can see all of the coaches rates on the application page.
NOTE: Travel to the race, registration, lodging, and any other costs associated with the event is up to the runner.
How often do we have to post on social media?
The goal of the posting is the accountability that it builds. We ask our runners to post a couple times per week. That’s it.
Who should apply?
We know for a fact that running is for everyone! That being said, there is a time commitment to the training and the project so if time management isn’t your strong suit the project may be overwhelming. We are honored with every application so if you are on the fence, go for it!
Who are the coaches?
You can learn more by listening to the podcasts of each of the coaches but basically we only work with passionate coaches who want to push and support you to do really big things!
If you have any questions, shoot us a message!
