On today's Run to the Top Podcast.

The more time people spend out on the trails, out in the woods, exercising in general,

the healthier they're going to be, the happier they're going to be,

and the more they're going to appreciate this world that we're in and the communities that we live in,

and the more that we're going to look out for each other and take care of this planet. That's something that's really important to me.

Welcome to the Run to the Top Podcast from Runners Connect,

where it's all about learning from the best and most inspiring minds in the sport.

Together, we can train a smarter, healthier, and faster running community.

Now here's your host, Stephanie Kay Atwood.

Welcome, this is Stephanie K. Atwood, Boston Marathon Qualifier, coach, and host for the Run to the

top podcast. Today's interview. Fire Coach and Host for the Run to the Top Podcast.

Today's interview is with James Varner,

co-race director and owner of Rain Shadow Running

and founder of the US's first Trail Running Film Festival.

James started running Ultras in 2001

and organizing races in 2004.

His approach to directing races comes from the idea that he is throwing a party for

friends that also happens to involve running on some of the toughest trails in the Pacific

Northwest. The settings he and team Rain Shadow Chos for their races are a

combination of challenging terrain with some of the most visually stunning

scenery in the United States thrown in for good measure.

Coinciding with the growth of the sport of trail and ultra running, James had the

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