Ultrarunning is a team sport.
While the athlete may be the one who crosses the finish line, there is often an unsung network of people at the race who have met the runner at the aid stations, cheered them on, and given them well-timed pep talks. This new film from adidas Terrex — “Inside the World of Ultra Running Crews” — explores the ways in which a crew can be pivotal to an athlete’s race-day success.
The film follows five of the brand’s athletes and their crews at the 2024 UTMB races. We go behind the scenes with Toni McCann (South Africa) and Eric LiPuma (U.S.) who are racing the 100-kilometer CCC; and Abby Hall (U.S.), Emily Hawgood (Zimbabwe), and Pablo Villa (Spain), who are racing the 100-mile UTMB. Regardless of the distance, the runners are looking for a Formula One pitstop-style transition through the aid station tents and back out on the course, conducted by their friends, family, and teammates.
The film is a smooth blend of character stories and top tips for crewing. It is an ideal watch whether you’re looking for a nosy peek into the highs and lows of the elite end of UTMB, or are navigating crewing for something similar yourself.
These nuggets of advice sometimes come in the form of harsh realities. As British athlete Holly Page bluntly puts it, “If you mess up, you’ve messed up someone else’s race.” The storylines don’t shy away from the stress of crewing a runner and the shots of a crew member anxiously laying out bottles in straight lines and opening the wrapper on a bar in preparation are almost comical. But at the elite end, you’re saving crucial seconds this way.
The most universal tip — and possibly the most important — comes from Bastien Perez, who is crewing Toni McCann. He notes that you also have to look after yourself. A crew can sometimes be driving to remote locations throughout the night, and it’s important to make sure that you catch some sleep and have something to eat. You are useless to the athlete if you are likewise sleep-deprived and depleted.
Bastien Perez resupplying Toni McCann at an aid station during the 2024 CCC. Photo: adidas Terrex
The responsibilities don’t end with the practical and pragmatic. “A lot of crewing is here,” says Paul Lind, pointing to his head. He is coach and crew for Emily Hawgood. “What you say at mile 50 is really important to the athletes … what are the right words to say? What should you not say?”
In the film, this aspect is most evident for Abby Hall, crewed by her husband Cordis Hall. For a bit of background, Abby suffered a knee fracture last year in a freak accident and has had a long journey through rehabilitation and back to racing. She was supposed to race UTMB the year prior and unfortunately the race was not panning out as she hoped it would this time. She wanted to drop.
Cordis listens to her doubts. He responds according to his own experience of the sport and his deep knowledge of Abby as a person and athlete. This moment in the film is a real tear jerker. Abby’s determined, almost child-like expression as Cordis delivers the exact pep talk she needs is why this is about more than just a race. We crews are not just refilling our runners’ bottles and giving them fresh socks. We are racing — and living life — right there with them.
Abby gets back out on the trail. “No more pity party,” says Cordis, emotion brimming in his own eyes. Whether you’re the athlete or the crew, whether you’re at the elite end or chasing the cutoffs, you’re in it together, and as this film emotionally shows us, getting to that finish line is an achievement for everyone.
Call for Comments
Have you crewed a friend or family member for an ultramarathon? How was your experience?
