It’s been a great year for getting outside and as we come to a close, it’s fun to reflect on the TVO Top 10 stories.
If we jumped into the “of all time” list, we’d find a few stalwarts. One is a review of Tomasso cycling shoes, and another is new news from early 2022 about Sunset Bicycles opening. But these 10 stories below are the most popular ones from 2023.
We look forward to 2024 and the new opportunities for different experiences, events and stories to bring you.
10: Mountain Mist 50K Video
On a perfect morning at Monte Sano State Park, 434 runners took off at the starting gun in the 29th Mountain Mist 50K ultramarathon. Watch the video of the start here.
9: Frozen Falls Results
Zack Jordan led podium finishers in February at the Frozen Falls trail races in Tennessee with a 12-minute win in the 50-mile event. Sam Reed easily claimed the 50K, Joshua Rogers won the half-marathon and John Schepens won the 10K in a photo-finish. Read the story here.
8: Lowa Boots ATR Lineup
LOWA Boots, the global footwear brand known for its nearly 100 years of hand-crafted European heritage, entered the trail running category with the introduction of All Terrain Running (ATR). The line was officially launched at Switchback at The Running Event in Austin in November 2022. TVO spoke with LOWA representatives about the technology involved in the footwear and got an exclusive look at the lineup. Read the story here.
7: Rocket Run 10-Miler Results
Four state age records were set and Josh Whitehead of Madison added another win at the 49th Rocket Run 10-Miler in Mooresville in spring. Grattan O’Neill, Jay Hillis, Emma Hardman and Kathy Harper smashed Alabama age records with their fast times. The race was held on a USATF-certified route starting and ending at the Old Brick Church on the square in Mooresville. Read the story here.
6: Too Wins Rocket City Marathon
David Too turned into the 47th Rocket City Marathon finish line chute calm and relaxed, saluting the crowd at the Von Braun Center South Hall as he snapped the ribbon. This was Too’s first Rocket City Marathon, but he’s no stranger to Huntsville’s streets. He finished sixth in the 2023 Cotton Row Run, and won the Boston or Bust marathon in September. Read the story here.
5: Youngren Tackles Iditarod Trail
Rob Youngren has tackled some of the toughest and most popular trail endurance events, from Western States and Badwater to multiple Barkley “Fun Run” finishes. He also has a (former) fastest known time to complete the 335-mile Pinhoti Trail. A return to Alaska for the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Invitational fits perfectly into his storied resume. Read the story here.
4: Holland Wins Mountain Mist 50K
Nathan Holland had about a two-minute lead on his closest Mountain Mist 50K pursuers after climbing the infamous Waterline trail. He wasn’t sure if that would hold up before they all got into McKay Hollow, a notorious descent and climb before the final burst to the finish line. Read the story here.
3: Youngren Ends Iditarod Journey
After making it 350 miles to McGrath, where he finished Iditarod Trail Invitational in 2021, Rob Youngren of Huntsville made a critical decision about his next steps in the great Alaska race. Even before reaching McGrath late at night March 7 after 10 days in the ice, snow and brutal weather conditions, Youngren had his decision. Read the story here.
2: Brooks Shoes Review
TVO co-founder Chad Gay gives his reviews of the Brooks Running Divide 3 trail-hiker and Glycerin GTS 20 running shoes. These were 2022 introductions yet still attract interest from runners and readers. Read the story here.
1. Southern States 200 Confirmed
The Southern States 200 endurance run became locked in for April 2024 on the Pinhoti Trail in the only 200-mile run east of the Rocky Mountains. It is a collaboration between Southeastern Trail Runs of Chelsea and RunningLane of Huntsville. The Alabama companies put on trail and road events throughout the year. This is their first collaboration. The finish line will be atop Mt. Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama. More than 185 miles of the route will be on the Pinhoti Trail. Read the story here
