50% Of People Never Finish This Race… | Bryce Canyon 100-Mile Ultra Full Documentary

[@TaysonWhittaker]

"If you don't finish, we hack off the beard" -Joe Enjoy the movie? Let us know! Watch featured in the video: glnk.io/kopjr/tayson-whittaker Oh! And get great deals on outdoor gear by joining OV's Live Ultralight Membership: bit.ly/3LJsdIY

[@Floki1624]

What a well put-together doc. Love OV.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you!

[@SiriusScientist]

I found you through Jeff’s channel and am excited you’re posting running content like this now too! Excellent film.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you! Jeff is amazing!

[@JasonBaum]

Really enjoyed this video! I ran the 100 miler at Bryce this year as well- I’m the guy talking to you at the Red Canyon aid station at 1:11:25. I finished about two hours behind you. Brutal course! You do a great job narrating and showcasing the struggles you have to overcome to get through one of these things. This was a very realistic look into a very tough 100 miler. Great job with the race and with the video, and I hope to run into you again at another race sometime! 💪🏻👊🏻

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Congrats on finishing! Glad to hear you did it! Yea that was a brutal course.. Thanks for the positive words and hope we do run together one day!

[@sleroy1980]

99.99% of people never start this race. Kudos to anyone that tries.

[@millerhoo]

This is my take on everyone who tries this. Kudos!!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Excellent point!

[@letszoomhikingteam]

YES! Been waiting for this for ages. Great job on the race, you’re insane. Love your videos.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Hope you liked it!

[@expatadventureturkey9324]

Great to see your transformation from your early 20’s to what you have become now. Embracing the ultra community aligned with your love for the hiking community as well. Brings together a great environment for you and your friends. Keep crushing it 🤙🏽

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you, I appreciate the support! It has been a lot of fun to get involved in both communities more and more!

[@ShawnB321]

Great video. Awesome job!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you very much!

[@jadenm]

Nicely done. Thank you for bringing us along in your journey. It inspires me to strive to be the best version of myself. 🎉

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the second to say that. I'll keep doing my best to help inspire and help others!

[@mustardstew]

Been looking forward to this and you didn't disappoint! Great job! Race and doc, I mean :D

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you!

[@millerhoo]

Awesome Video!! Great ending!! Kara and Nate have a benchmark :)

[@TaysonWhittaker]

High praise. Thank you very much!

[@millerhoo]

@@TaysonWhittaker it is worth saying twice “it was a really good” video. Congrats man. I feel like trying something stupid (like maybe an ultra) after watching it. It was inspiring. :)

[@timmo971]

Epic. And the last 15 seconds is shocking. I wasn’t ready for that. I bet OV comes out with chest warmer fleeces now.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Interesting idea...

[@natejewkes]

Been waiting for this! 🍿

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Me too! Way to go, Nate!

[@havecoffeewilltravel3507]

Tayson!!! What an epic achievement! Congrats! Type 2 fun at a premium level! Everyone needs to do something physical to the max while they can. You can never turn back the hands of time and do it later. Thank you for bringing us along!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you! I agree ... Type two fun can be quite positive in moderation haha

[@MitchKirkham]

This is awesome Tayson, a huge inspiration! These videos make a positive impact in my life. I love the idea of Misogi (which aligns well with the OV mission): doing something every year that you truly aren't sure you'll be able to finish but that can show you that your limits are far greater than you have experienced. A belt buckle well earned and I am sure this isn't your last Misogi, no matter what variety you choose.

[@thetaysonwhittaker]

I love misogi as well and only heard of the term this year! Such a great way to grow

[@FroggLoki]

Thank you for sharing. It was amazing. Loved the earlier videos.

[@chrishall8203]

At 66 I've blown my knee out. Start to use lots of cushion in your shoes, Extra support for ankles and knees. Now 70 and starting back but more walking than anything, slowly. Never stop, your mind is what allows you to do anything. life is only what you experience, no limits.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for sharing! Good luck with getting back into the miles!

[@pankajchauhan2342]

You are doing great sir,

[@DavidWillis-f1j]

really really enjoyed this! thanks so much for sharing!! Inspirational!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tommyslavic898]

Been looking forward to this since it was announced on the podcast.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Me too! Haha

[@tommyslavic898]

@@TaysonWhittaker Shout out to your Dog. What a training buddy. My dog refuses to leave the house on a cold morning in sunny Australia!

[@soulshine.unplugged]

I was crying when i saw you crossing the finish line!!! Thanks for this wonderful and Inspirational movie😊❤

[@TaysonWhittaker]

That's for watching :) glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevebednarchik9390]

Solid effort. Great documentary

[@SeeChadRun]

Tayson, you are an incredible inspiration! I'll be running my first 100 miler this weekend and watching this has given me huge motivation and excitement!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

That's huge! Best of luck in every way!

[@waynegenewick8570]

Well done my friend!!! I really enjoyed this 100 mile journey you took. Lots of willpower and true grit. Been laying low inside with a viral head cold so this helped my spirit as I relived this trek through you. Hope to be back out to do some local hikes again soon at the State Park near the AZT where I live. Happy trails.

[@MWB12]

This is amazing, thank you for documenting this journey!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@atraillesstaken]

Your videos have motivated and assisted me in setting my goals for the next 2 years. Uinta Highline Trail, summit 5+ Uinta 13'ers, Moab Red Hot and Behind the Rocks, 20 Wasatch peaks, bike White Rim Trail, and eventually R2R2R. I'm from St. George so I'll have to drop by sometime. Thanks for all you do!

[@jeppyli5832]

Amazing job, Tayson! Incredible accomplishment. Thank you for taking us on the journey.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leroydorenberg295]

Watched the full video, what an unique experience! thank you for sharing this. congratz on the finish🏅

[@tim9324]

Congrats. Perseverance at the core. Heard about the beard coming off and here it is.

[@Kayrunningandcoffeeaddict]

Excellent video!!!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you liked it!

[@andreas_petker]

Loved watching this and reminiscing! It was fun chatting with you out there. I’m the guy you are talking about that caught you at Thunder Mountain Water 2 and we did that downhill together for a bit. I took off, but you proceeded to destroy the final climb and passed me again haha. Great work out there and well-made doc 👍🏻

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Hey! Glad you found the video and congrats on the finish! You crushed it!

[@kimb8348]

Great job on the race...did not see that coming at the end! I don't even know you and felt teary! 😄

[@TaysonWhittaker]

❤️

[@TKLETSGOHIKING]

Thanks for all the videos and the commentary is very thought provoking. The last several videos I've watched there is a lot of discussion about different energy levels and different levels of food/drink consumption. I think I'm going to start testing being in ketosis, for what I hope will be continuous energy, and taking electrolytes without putting them into my "regular" water supply. Your videos are really making me think about my own 20+ mile days and how to best navigate them. Keep doing what you are doing!!

[@Rmoralez2704]

Great video! Thanks for sharing all the highs and lows. I really felt for you towards the end. I was thinking, just cry, it's ok, because that's what I would have done. Cry, but keep going!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

You never know what happened off the camera for a moment or two :)

[@ericduncan3864]

Fantastic achievement and great film. Relentless forward progress would make an awesome t-shirt.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Haha we'll throw it in the running for future prints haha

[@kathleenbutler8879]

Makin me cry Tayson. You are so inspirational. I was thinking you should have had some boost O2 with you. Thanks for showing us to push beyond.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

❤️ thanks!

[@Lv4_o2]

Bryce❤…I was lucky enough to spend 4 nights/5 days, on my way to bring daughter her car to drive home from her 6 month stay working for Americorps. Utah is on my “must return” list. What a journey, both personally and professionally.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

It really is the best!

[@stuartvrieze9384]

Very Inspirational to those of us who face any sort of personal physical challenge or the search to find ourselves through seeking and overcoming challenges. Pushing beyond what we knew was possible!, Thank you for making the documentary!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Love that!

[@joshmassey1974]

I did the 50 mile on this course this year. Its a legit course! Loved this video man! Congrats to you my man!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Appreciate it!

[@ShawnJ-t3u]

I love your comment about a transformation happening slowly over the time from start of training to end of race. I agree inspiration can evolve slowly - but still be as profound. Gratitude for my life, the people I love and physical ability was a big takeaway of doing a couple months of PCT

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you. I think it comes in many ways, but most often in my life it shows up that way. Congrats on your PCT time and takeaways!

[@chadpruett-4049]

I found myself in a similar place 4 years ago. Getting divorced after 16 years (20 years together) similar deal of letting her have the house and other stuff so i could keep my business. I started walking to clear my head instead of turning to alcohol and stuff like that. I was getting into wildland fire fighting so started doing it with a 50#+ pack. Just celebrated my 2nd anniversary with my new wife with a trip to Zion, Brice, Arches, North rim, and every road in south and west of Utah and the northern half of Arizona on a 7 night trip tent camping 4 nights and hiking almost 50 miles. It was so awesome to see you do this. Watching you shave at the end almost brought me to tears, I shaved mine for the first time in over 20 years not long after my ex filed for divorce. Felt like starting a new chapter in my life. I wish you all the luck in the world.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for sharing your story - It's inspiring to see the power of pushing through tough times to find new adventures.

[@ribjones2654]

Great video and very inspirational! My OG bright blue Aerie 30 degree envelope bag and underquilt is still my favorite go-to bag for camping! I'm just a regular runner, but videos like yours and Sally McRae's have me thinking about some distance trail running.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you! I don't know everything, but ultra's have been really powerful for me. Good luck if you choose to up the distance!

[@TomVignard]

Congrats man and great video! I recognize the beard and saw you at red canyon 4. I was pacing and just getting to Red canyon 3 with my runner... we DFL 'ed !!!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you! And dang! That's wild!!

[@lilianm7151]

It's amazing what the mind can do. I've had day like that going hiking/backpacking felt good and then just hit a wall. Not giving up was not an option. Suffering to a certain extend is the name of the game. And at the end you are proud of what you achieved. Good job! Love the new look at the end of the video.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Love it 👊 thanks for the positive words too

[@what_it_is]

loved the video, just watched the whole thing straight thru. First Congrats! Amazing work done on the video and the race. Only suggestion for further races would be to post during the race the pace, mileage and maybe elevation gain/loss more often. I know you were not going for speed but it gives perspective to how you are feeling and helps the viewer really experience the race and what you're going thru. Thank you again for the 90 min of entertainment!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching and noted!

[@jeremyedwards8833]

Awesome video! Congrats! Just curious how were you recording yourself out on the trails? It appeared like you weren’t holding a tripod but just pushing a button or something?

[@alextprice]

49:19 dude! It’s me! Alex! So cool to meet you out there!

[@thetaysonwhittaker]

Dude!! So glad you found the vid! I hope you're doing well! Really appreciated the positivity out there!

[@WallowaHikes]

That was great. And now I have a better understanding of the missing beard after seeing you without it at PCT Days. Perfect finish 🙂

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks...and yea maybe it's an insight into the cutting of the beard :) Great talking at PCT Days!

[@vroc5689]

Simply Amazing Vid man, Inspiring! got my first 50 coming up lets bang it!!

[@RunningUphill]

Great video! Congrats on choosing to do hard things. Is that an OV quiver? Is that going to end up in the store? Maybe I’m just not seeing it?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Nope it was something I was trying.. This was just an Amazon one

[@MountainSerenityASMR]

Amazing job and great video!! Now that you have hacked off the beard how am I supposed to recognize you on the Colorado Trail again… haha

[@TaysonWhittaker]

I'm at PCT Days now and most people don't recognize me haha

[@chayabrenan2374]

I ran my first 53k June 2024... It was the best motivation to train. I finished... Slow, but I finished... Then when I went to leave I had immense pain, chalked it up to normal pain after 33 miles and drove home, but once I got to my house I went into shock and needed to call 911 for immediate help. They took my pulse at 84/40 and bused me to the ER because I couldn't move. My Lactic acid was super high, and I had a hematoma (pooling of blood) on my left hip. I couldn't move for hours and had to use a bed pan. Post race... It was very humbling. I swore I would never do it again.... But hey- I rock that 50k magnet on my car now because #earnedit. I tell everyone never again, but I just signed up for a marathon cause I just wanna run now. Bought some backpacking gear and it's been an amazing experience to be able to push farther on the trails now. It just feels better to be on trail or training to be on trail! This was a great documentary, thanks for sharing... I am NOT inspired to do this, but it makes me appreciate watching it so much more knowing how bad I was after only 33m!!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

That's is a crazy story! Glad you were able to get the help you needed after the race! I like to say though...never say never... 😉

[@ellienovelli3425]

Quite an accomplishment. I did a 200 mile double century on my ride bike and remember how hungry I was for days after. Snacks at every 25 mile station didn’t cut it.

[@taryn_annette]

Is there any fun trails that you would suggest on all trails in the Bryce Canyon Moab area things like that I’m training for my first ultra in January

[@johnjacobs3160]

Seriously feel dumb watching this in my recliner with chips and salsa... but you did have your motivational message when you had no words when you said "finish." You need to make that the tag line of the OV 100 Mile Challenge

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Haha I'll give you a break on the comfortable watch party :) Yea you are probably on to something...Finishing and moving through the hard things is a big part of life and the 100 mile challenge!!

[@abeeral-qattan5997]

Wow Amazing 🤩 23:57 there is no failure in ultras , every term in ultra is a success starting from registration 😅❤❤I’m totally head over heels in love with your parents ❤

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks! Haha and yes, they are the best :)

[@abeeral-qattan5997]

@@TaysonWhittaker I watched your movie this morning in my 18k treadmill run session , couldn’t feel the time and had goosebumps at your finish line🥹 Im a 53 yr old mother from Kuwait , started running after 40, and have finished 8 ultras around the world while training in my pancake flat scorching hot country (currently high at 130 F 😫).. this is why I believe the word “failure “ does not exist in the Ultra world 👍🏻👍🏻👏👏👏

[@Kaichee]

The whole time watching this, I was thinking what shame this won't count for the OV100 Challenge as well since you wouldn't be sleeping out on trail. But hen you took a 10 minute nap, so you're good! Two birds with one stone! Well done! 😁

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Hahaha that's a GREAT point! I separated my shoulder so I had to postpone our original 100 mile plans...hoping to still get out and do it, BUT this is true...might be a loop hole haha

[@Kaichee]

@@TaysonWhittaker Argh! Hopefully that's a loophole you won't have to use. But you all make the rules. I am sure you can find another one to get the other trip in the window. :) Maybe time to rest for a second or two. I know that can be hard. ;)

[@HikeMichigan]

Amazing! It’s not the goal, it’s all the little steps that lead to it. So, what’s the next one?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Not sure yet

[@tanyand]

Maybe too much electrolytes causing the tummy problems? Great Documentary! My jaw dropped at the last few seconds!

[@ThienNguyen-ec8yc]

Are you using the skyline and does OV make a quiver?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Not the quiver, that was a simple Amazon find...

[@theBidon]

1:31:43 👨🏼‍🦱 Great job. Keep moving forward.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thank you!

[@timing-and-chance]

Reminiscent of how Forrest Gump went running after Jenny did him dirty. You're a good man, stick to the plan. God bless you, old friend.

[@rustyboltz5304]

180 pounds down and 50 more to go before my Rim to Rim next year.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

50 more!! Congrats on the 180 pounds of loss! That's truly inspiring!

[@rustyboltz5304]

ZZ Top of Outdoor Gear

[@TaysonWhittaker]

oh I heard that every day...but watch til the end!!

[@ianbritton7534]

Good on you man. Well done on getting rid of the beard. You’ve more than facial hair.

[@natejewkes]

I don't know why, but pavement feels so awfully awkward after being on dirt for miles. I feel like my feet get so heavy and it messes with my stride.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

It's painful man...especially when your not a mountain goat like you!

[@tiffanyweekes616]

Milk and Sushi? 2 things that seem like a contradiction to running long distances

[@whicks3]

Thanks so much to Dan Becker for directing me to OV!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Dan's the man :)

[@iwontpostvideos6]

😊

[@chrishall8203]

steady slow pace, eat light, high cal,take care of your feet, hydrate. Good Luck, you can do it.

[@kimberlypenney7216]

I’d like to know on the down hill what keeps you from sliding down on your butt, even with the sticks, let alone the 80 miles behind you. Great documentary.

[@JeffShervey]

If you hack off the beard - he will lose his strength like Samson.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

😅