Kipchoge alarmed about doping concerns, Zwift fitness, a 100 year old body found on Everest, changes coming to Life Time Grand Prix, and more…

👋 Good morning and happy Friday! Welcome to the Front Pack newsletter, your source for all things endurance. Click here for the web edition.

Happy 40th newsletter! When I first started this thing, it was thinking damn, how am I going to do this week-in and week-out. But like anything you do, it’s about consistency and routine. Once I got going and flexed the muscles I needed to, and figured out when I’d write and how’d I source content, it’s one of my favorite things to produce each week. Plus, every once in a while, one of you write me and hearing from you is pretty great too!

Do you all know the Mid South? It’s highlighted as one of the most fun and best gravel races in the United States. In 2025, it will take place on March 13-15 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. They truly are all about community over there. As you cross the finish line, the founder hugs every single person. That is a lot of hugs! But one thing they’re doing that is very cool – they have a Grant program that you can apply to be a part of.

The Mid South Get Here Grant helps lower the cost barriers to experience and participate in their race (currently open through Oct. 31). They provide travel and equipment costs. That is pretty freaking awesome and got me thinking, I hate how there is a serious lack of diversity in cycling, and triathlon. My first thought is because the price to participate is huge! Because running. Hell. Put on your shoes and get out there. But the other two sports, not so much. I don’t have an answer to this problem but one day I hope to help with this change. Whether I’m personally getting bikes to kids, or driving a crew to their first race, or doing like The Mid South and helping lower cost barriers, it’s something I want to get involved in. When people ask me what I hope Front Pack is down the road, my answer is that I hope that not only are we helping members become their best and truest selves, but that we’re all helping bring in others and exposing them to something brand new.

If you didn’t see it this week, check out this story highlighting 11 time champ Justin Williams. Good piece.

Hope you had an amazing week. You’re healthy. Go touch some grass, clip-in, recharge and see you next week!

Stay moving…✌🏼 – Scott

Why Join Front Pack!

I’ll spill some tea.

I never thought when we launched Front Pack, we’d have a huge collection of Minnesotans meeting, yacking it up and planning out a big get together group ride.

But.

That is exactly what has happened over the last few weeks. A bunch of Twin City Front Packers looking to connect with like minded and positive people. They’re an all skill levels lot for the sake of bettering themselves and kicking ass.

Front Pack just so happens to be the platform for breaking down those barriers.

Join and see what’s up.

Ep. 6 – IRONMAN World Championship Preview & Predictions

This week, on The Front Pack Show we sat down with Travis Mundell, Founder of The Daily Tri, and contributor to TRIATHLETE magazine.

Check out the replay, here.

Headlines

Top news, races and results you may or may not have been paying attention to…

Little Sugar > Big Sugar: More than 1,000 riders took to Bentonville to tackle The Little Sugar mtn bike race. In the elite field, it was Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Christopher Blevins winning the 100K race with Gomez Villafañe coming in a minute and a half ahead of Kelsey Urban in second and Blevins winning the sprint after a cagey game of cat and mouse with Matt Beers and Keegan Swenson. Read more…

SHEESH!: Did you see this cyclocross race where two riders collided and crashed? The only difference, one was ready to move on while the other chose violence. Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) got up, stomped on his competitors derailer and moved on. Only later to be disqualified and fined. Read more…

Pohl Completes Ocean’s Seven: No, she didn’t commit the ultimate heist but instead, the German 2X World Record Holder completed the seven open water swims that make up Ocean’s Seven. The challenge was created as the swimming equivalent to the Seven Summits mountaineering feat. The swims, considered some of the most difficult strait swims in the world, include (read more): 

Question marks Remain: The hue and cry about Ruth Chepngetich’s 2:09:56 women’s world marathon record in last Sunday’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon is not toning down. A five minute personal best at the most elite level is eye-opening. So whats up? Read more…

Meanwhile

Other happenings in the world of endurance.

Changes Coming to the Life Time Grand Prix Series: I’m a huge fan of the series and love everything they’re trying but felt like this year was lackluster. Outside of fan favorite Lachlan Morton winning Unbound Gravel, this year was, well fairly predictable. With one race remaining, Keegan Swenson has already locked up the men’s title, and fiance Sofia Gomez Villafañe will win the women’s champion as long as she starts the race. BUT, I will say, they have brought more awareness to the sport and participation in some amazing races across the country has never been bigger. So bravo to them, that has been awesome. But changes are coming! The 2025 edition of the Life Time Grand Prix will be a best five of six competition – 3 mountain bike and 3 gravel races. And only 22 men and 22 women will be selected for the initial series roster. The remaining three spots for both men and women are considered wild cards and will not be confirmed until after Unbound Gravel on May 31. Read more…

Eliud Kipchoge on doping ‘I’m worried’: In a must read exclusive, the two time Olympic champion says, doping is diluting the talent of young Kenyan athletes. “It’s really unfortunate that young girls and boys want shortcuts to move to the next life. We lack morals.” Read more…

Cycling for Weight Loss: What I Learned in 5 Months with Zwift: One writer shares their health and weight loss journey after regularly using Zwift. Read more…

The 100 Year Remains: In 1924, Briton Andrew Irvine and climbing partner George Mallory went missing as the pair attempted to be the first to reach Everest’s summit. Now with climate change thinning snow and ice around Mount Everest, increasingly exposing the bodies of mountaineers who died chasing their dream of scaling the world’s highest mountain, it was Irvine and Mallory’s remains who were just found 100 years later. Read more…

Training Tips

Because training is life

5 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Saddle: The right saddle can make or break your riding experience, and by understanding these key points, you’ll be able to find one that’s just right for you.

The BIGGEST Swim Mistake You Don’t Know You’re Making: Has your swimming hit a plateau? Despite all your efforts, you just can’t seem to get any faster in the water? The reason why could actually be really simple – and it all starts with your hands…

How To Turbo Charge Zone 2 Training: How do you get the most out of Zone 2? And what should you do alongside Zone 2 training to keep developing as a rider? Check out some top tips!

Rewatchables

Content for long training days inside or just everyday life.

Worlds Gravel 2024 Carnage: In this video, you’ll see the bizarre chaos from inside the peloton. Every rider fights to be in the front, aiming for the best position when the narrow gravel sections come up.

Climbing Mount Everest – Summit Day: A first person account of what it’s like to go from camp 4 to the summit of Mount Everest.

WORLD RECORD: 510km/56 hour NON-STOP SWIM (Yukon River): How far can a human swim non-stop? No sleep, no rest and no touching land. Ross Edgley embarked on a 510km (317 mile) non-stop swim down the Yukon River (Canada) in water temperatures as low as 8°C (46.4°F).

Quotes