JIM WALMSLEY | What you need to know | TRAIL TALKS

[@Kelly_Ben]

I really like this video, I've never seen anything like it! Short and sweet and introduces us- or educates us on the history of- runners we might not know much about! Can you do a few of the ladies?

[@TrailRunningWales]

Absolutely! Any suggestions for me?

[@Kelly_Ben]

@@TrailRunningWales 😂 That's the problem...I only got serious about training for an ultra during lockdown. It seems every week I learn about new incredible runners of both genders! It's so motivating to see that even the elite athletes had to start somewhere! I'll dig up some names I came across recently that might be cool. Of course Courtney Dewaulter (sp?) is everyone's favorite female bad*ss!

[@TrailRunningWales]

After winning Westernstates and setting FKTs in the Grand Canyon, Jim has managed to achieve a lot already. What race would you love to see Jim Walmsley win one day?

[@gingeral]

The Howling Bull

[@TrailRunningWales]

@@gingeral now that would be awesome

[@gingeral]

Trail Running Wales yeah I recon we would smash him on that 🤪

[@capote481]

Do you think Jim or any of the current crop of all or nothing American athletes will conquer UTMB?

[@TrailRunningWales]

I really hope so. I think something like being the first American male to win UTMB will help win over other people. I was hoping to see Zach Miller perform well last year but it just didn't happen

[@ifonly2675]

As much as i respect him he's no legend yet and nowhere near Kilian Jornet or François d'Haene who are true mountain runners and multiple UMTB winners. Jim Walmsley has a track background and is a very fast runner who's very efficient on smooth courses like Western State but he has struggled so far on proper european alpine terrain. Fellow american runners Tim Tollefson and Zach miller are truer mountain runners. And if there's gotta be the one legend it's Kilian of course !

[@TrailRunningWales]

Oh I completely agree about Kilian, he is definitely the next ultra runner I'm going to talk about and probably has to be regarded as the greatest. I would love to see Jim win UTMB and I think he has it in him to do it, but just would need to focus in that direction. If I had a choice i would love to see Zach Miller win it, like you say a real mountain runners and there is something about Zach's attitude towards racing that I love.

[@ifonly2675]

@@TrailRunningWales I really like Zach and love his writing on Irunfar. I tend to respect real mountain people who ski and climb in the winter as well. Like Xavier Thevenard ( 3x UTMB ) François d'Haene ( 3x UTMB ) or even Pau Capell who won UTMB 2019 and Transgrancanaria 3 times. Jim Walmsley is just a very fast runner who transitioned to trail running. He'll get my respect when he wins a true technical alpine race. Don't forget that Western state is a race that can be ran in road shoes ( no kidding )