WeeViews

08/30/2026

Rain delay. Route change. Two barrier-breaking wins around Mont Blanc. 🏔️

After storms pushed the 2026 UTMB start back two hours and wet conditions forced a late course reroute, runners still faced roughly 107 miles and 32,000 feet of climbing through France, Italy and Switzerland.

Ben Dhiman took the lead before 40K and never gave it back, returning to Chamonix in 18:16:29—the fastest time ever run at UTMB. Because the altered route bypassed the exposed Pyramides Calcaires section, however, it does not count as an official course record.

The chase behind him delivered its own history. Baptiste Chassagne held off a charging Caleb Olson by just 46 seconds as all three men broke 19 hours—a mark no man had previously reached at UTMB.

In the women’s race, Blandine L’Hirondel gradually pulled away from UTMB debutant Rachel Entrekin to win in 21:54:49, becoming the first woman to break 22 hours. The victory also made L’Hirondel only the second woman to win all three UTMB World Series Finals races: OCC, CCC and UTMB.

Entrekin held on for second, while Emily Schmitz completed a huge second-half surge to finish just 1:34 behind her in third.

Swipe through for the top 10 men and women from one exceptionally speedy trip around Mont Blanc. ➡️

Which performance from this year’s UTMB impressed you most?

08/27/2026

Can a $149 custom insole earn its keep?

MaryAnn and Adam tested the Groov Everyday through approximately 77 combined miles, four gym sessions and multiple eight-hour workdays. Both testers found its personalized support and plush cushioning most convincing during long stretches of walking and standing—but their running experiences told two different stories.

MaryAnn enjoyed the supportive feel across 21 running miles, while Adam found the insoles heavier and more restrictive inside his shoes. Their split verdict highlights an important reality: even a custom insole’s comfort depends on your foot shape, shoe volume and preferred ride.

Read the complete multi-tester review to learn where the Groov Everyday shined, where fit became complicated and who may get the most from the investment:

Two runners found the Groov Everyday most effective for long days on their feet, thanks to custom ar...

08/26/2026

Some of the best running wisdom begins with four mildly humbling words:

“I used to think…”

For this special edition of WeeViewer Wednesday—and most likely Part 1—six of our Rising Stars are sharing the running beliefs that experience eventually rewrote.

Read through the photos to hear from these wise runners and glean something from the lessons that changed how they train, race and approach the sport we all love.

Then join the conversation: What would you put after “I used to think…”? 👇

08/24/2026

🏔️ 100 miles. Two trips over 12,600-foot Hope Pass. And two victories built on patience.

Adrian Macdonald and McKendree Hickory conquered a wildfire-altered course to win the 2026 Leadville Trail 100.

Macdonald didn’t lead from the gun. He worked his way forward before taking control around mile 46 on the first trip over Hope Pass. From there, the two-time champion steadily stretched his advantage and earned his third Leadville victory in 15:47:23.

Matthew Zupan charged through the field during the second half to finish runner-up in 16:15:25. Tim Tollefson completed the men’s podium in 16:45:14—his first ultramarathon finish in two years.

The women’s race delivered an even later plot twist.

Canada’s Ailsa MacDonald led for roughly 80 miles and held an advantage of more than 30 minutes during the second half. But Leadville rookie McKendree Hickory kept closing. She moved into the lead around mile 84 and pulled away over the final stretch to win her debut in 19:39:12.

Former champion Jacquie Mannhard finished second in 20:28:37, while Leadville local Emma Wood took third in 20:33:33.

Wildfire impacts forced organizers to remove the traditional Sugarloaf Mountain and Powerline sections, replacing them with routes that included more pavement. The modified course still covered 99.7 miles with approximately 13,552 feet of climbing and preserved the crux of the course— Hope Pass x2.

Whether running 100 miles at high altitude sounds like a dream goal or a grave error of life decisions, both races offered a familiar ultra running lesson: the runner leading early isn’t always the runner to come out on the top of the podium!

Which performance from Leadville surprised you most? 👇

Thanks to irunfar for the excellent in-depth race coverage!

08/20/2026

Energy chews seem simple...until you’re hours into a run and suddenly texture, flavor, caffeine and wrapper count become matters of utmost importance. 😅

We updated our guide to the 9 Best Energy Chews for Running in 2026, featuring feedback from runners who tested them during everyday training, marathons, triathlons, ultramarathons and even 100-mile races.

Whether you want a soft chew, a sour palate cleanser, a high-carb option, or something that won’t become a sticky brick in your vest, this guide can help you narrow down the lineup.

See which chew earned Best Overall, and find the fuel that deserves a spot in your running vest. 👇

Compare nine runner-tested energy chews for running, including carbs, caffeine, flavor, texture and...

08/19/2026

School is back in session, and today’s syllabus includes heart-rate data, bounce-free storage, arch support, handheld hydration, chafing and sand mixed with jello. 📝

For this WeeViewer Wednesday, we used runner-generated reviews to grade six pieces of running gear from A+ to D-. Some earned honor-roll status. Others may want to avoid eye contact when report cards go home.

🏅 COROS Heart Rate Monitor: A+
⭐ 5.0/5 from 1 review
Madi praised its secure, barely-there fit, easy watch connectivity and freedom from chest-strap chafing.

🏅 Salomon Pulse Belt: A+
⭐ 4.9/5 from 4 reviews
Runners found it comfortable, surprisingly spacious and impressively bounce-free—even while carrying gels and soft flasks.

🏅 CURREX RunPro Insoles: A+
⭐ 4.8/5 from 4 reviews
Lightweight support, multiple arch profiles and out-of-the-box comfort sent these straight to the honor roll.

📝 Nathan SpeedDraw Plus Insulated 18 oz: C+
⭐ 3.0/5 from 1 review
The bottle and squeeze top passed. The uncomfortable handhold, undersized pouch and limited capacity lowered the final grade.

📝 Rabbit EZ Tee Perf SS Trail: D
⭐ 2.0/5 from 1 review
Light, cool and breezy—but the perforated fabric reportedly caused significant chafing, even on short runs.

📝 Näak Boost Energy Gel: D-
⭐ 1.0/5 from 1 review
“Sand mixed with jello” is not a texture description most gels want appearing on their permanent record.

Swipe for the complete runner verdicts, then tell us: Which product in your running kit earns an A+—and which one is repeating the semester? 👇

Read the full reviews—or submit your own—at the WeeViews website!

08/14/2026

At 12,500 feet, Zac Wilson’s vocabulary had been reduced to four words: “Hot. Thirsty. Water. Out.”

Unfortunately, his crew had also misplaced the water filter. 😬

That was only one chapter in a Hardrock 100 adventure featuring a bear before Zac even left Silverton, persistent stomach trouble, a 45-second trail nap that somehow made everything worse and one final 3,000-foot climb.

In Episode 70, Zac and crew members Stefan and Troy join Casey and Rob to retrace the highs, lows and high-altitude absurdities of his 2026 finish, and the teamwork that helped him reach the rock an hour faster than he did in 2022.

Listen to “The 2026 Hard Rock 100 Adventure With Zac Wilson and Crew” at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧⛰️

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2268098/episodes/19621183

08/13/2026

Hydrate. Fuel. Recover. Tailwind makes a mix for every stage of the run—but how did all three perform for everyday athletes? 💧⚡🥤

Four WeeViewers tested the lineup during hot-weather runs, indoor rides, races, long training efforts and post-workout recovery. They paid close attention to flavor, mixability, stomach comfort, convenience and how well each product served its intended purpose:

💧 Rapid Hydration
A lighter option for shorter efforts and everyday hydration.

⚡ Endurance Fuel
Carbohydrates and electrolytes for longer, sustained efforts.

🥤 Recovery Mix
Protein, carbohydrates and electrolytes for refueling after hard training.

Scroll through for a quick look at each product and a takeaway from our testers. Then visit the WeeViews website to find the complete runner-written reviews by searching for Tailwind Rapid Hydration, Endurance Fuel or Recovery Mix.

Which part of your nutrition routine is hardest to nail: hydration, fueling or recovery?

08/12/2026

When the forecast starts looking less like weather and more like a warning label, the right gear can make hot and sunny miles a little more survivable. ☀️🥵

For this WeeViewer Wednesday, five runners shared the gear they trust for shade, sweat, hydration and general summer-running self-preservation:

🕶️ FKT High Lonesome Sunglasses
Lightweight, secure and clear across changing trail conditions—with no fogging or sliding for Lisa.

👒 Fractel B-UMBRA Bucket Hat
Adjustable sun protection with a brim that stays put when the wind tries to steal it.

🩳 Lululemon Fast and Free 3” Shorts
Light, airy and comfortable enough to make Kelsey feel precisely as fast and free as advertised.

💧 HydraPak SkyFlask Speed 500
An easy-to-carry handheld that shrinks as you drink and packs into a pocket once empty.

🧦 Balega Hidden Comfort Socks
Breathable, durable and apparently prepared to outlive us all—Josie has worn hers since high school.

Check out the carousel for the complete runner verdicts, then tell us: What product earns permanent space in your summer running survival kit? 👇

Read the full reviews—or leave your own—on the WeeViews website!

08/06/2026

Would you spend $1,099 on a pair of recovery boots? 😳

Jenna was skeptical about compression boots before testing the Normatec Elite. Then she put them to work during recovery from her 24th marathon, and came away surprised by what she noticed.

Of course, noticing a difference is one thing. Deciding whether that difference justifies a four-figure price tag is another.

Read Jenna’s full runner-tested review for her experience with the Normatec Elite, what impressed her, where she sees limitations, and who she thinks could actually get their money’s worth from this premium recovery tool. 👇

I was sent a pair of Hyperice Normatec Elite Legs compression boots to try out for review, and I was...