Author: Ultimate Direction

DESIGNED BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN We brought together a group of talented female runners, both professional and casual runners that we paired with runner and lead designer Jenny Jurek (Yes, Scott Jurek's wife is a talented designer) to create a line of products that are designed specifically for female athletes, by female athletes. After months of brainstorming, patterning, testing,  tweaking and several "jump photos' we…

Since Landon Cooper was 15 years old he dreamed of running across America, he never dreamed it would be for such a worthy cause; Sarcoma Cancer Research. [caption id="attachment_1192" align="alignright" width="300"] Landon presents Buzz Burrell with his signature on the Access waist pack he wore from the start in California all the way to Boulder.[/caption] On his recent 157 day team running tour he witnessed…

Last weekend's Leadville marked the return of Scott Jurek. Scott, as Anton told me last year, is "The Man" - 7 straight WS100 wins, Spartathlon, Badwater, 24 hours, etc - it is unlikely anyone will do that and hold that stature again. And he'd been out of competition for 1-3 years (depending on how you figure it). Can he come back? Is his time past…

 May 25-26, Zion National Park, Jared Campbell, Ryan McDermott, Buzz Burrell Jared conceived of Zironman two years ago while studying Google Earth during one of his typical four-hours-of-sleep nights; it was an ingenious route, going from the west boundary of Zion National Park to past the east boundary via the most "interesting" terrain. "Zironman" was a fun way of saying the route involved climbing, running,…

I recently visited the factory where Ultimate Direction products are made. This was extremely worthwhile: I met all the people we work with, saw the entire production process, reviewed prototypes for our completely revamped 2014 product line, then discussed the changes and improvements we wanted to make directly with the people who will be implementing them. And, since the factory is in the Philippines, my…

"In the High Country" will be a new kind of mountain film featuring Anton Krupicka. Filmed and Produced by Joel Wolpert with the support of Ultimate Direction, this won't be the usual running film - no "loneliness of the long distance runner" - "High Country" will take you where you've never been before. Anton Krupicka's running has evolved from roads to trails to mountains and now…

Scott Jurek is "The Man" - other ultra runners consider him the king, the top of the heap. He won the Western States 100 seven times in a row - current winners acknowledge that will never be done again. Now he has switched sports - Scott has taken that same commitment and intensity and applied it to the business of running.  He has written a…

In one month the Signature Series will be released. This unique series of three hydration vests is being really well received.  And why not?  It was designed by three of the best ultra runners in the world! Retailers ordered the entire initial production run before manufacturing was finished. Working with these Athletes was great.  Other company's should do this as well: just ask the best…

"We focus on something external to motivate us, but we need to remember that it’s the process of reaching for that prize—not the prize itself—that can bring us peace, and joy." Eat & Run, p.177 We spoke with Scott Jurek while filming a Video (we'll put it up soon!) Scott has been uncharacteristically at home this summer, enjoying cooking and running in the mountains, as…

The Four Passes Loop (nicer name: "Ring of Bells"), is considered one of the best long trail runs in North America. Starting at 9,600' at the postcard-perfect Maroon Lake above Aspen, this loop is almost exactly Marathon distance, and transects the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Area while going over four big passes, each over 12,400'. The scenery is amazing. There are no signs of civilization; only…