Should You Run a Loop Ultra? The Surprising Benefits of Running around in Circles

Hey there, my friend!

Most people hear the words “loop course” and immediately say, “Uhhh…No thanks!” Running the same stretch of trail or road for hours—or even days—sounds like a mental challenge few people want to take on. My wife, Jennifer, calls them “Hamster Wheel Races.”

But ultrarunner Stacey Priddy has tackled loop-style races, including the Front Range 72-Hour and soon, the Lake Viann Hilltop 100 – And she’s got a different perspective.

While the idea of running in circles might sound repetitive, loop courses have surprising benefits:

• Less Logistics: You don’t have to plan complicated crew stops. Your gear, nutrition, and aid are always within reach.
• Easier to Mentally Break Down the Race: Instead of thinking about 100 miles, you just focus on the next loop. It makes the distance feel more manageable.
• Built-in Community: You see the same people over and over. That means support, shared suffering, and motivation.
• Safer & More Accessible: Less chance of getting lost, no need to carry a ton of gear, and usually better access to medical or aid if needed.

That doesn’t mean they’re easy. The mental challenge of a loop race is real. In our latest podcast, Stacey shares how she pushed through the heat, exhaustion, and monotony to finish her tough loop ultras.

Would you ever sign up for a loop race? Would you take a ride on the “Hamster Wheel”? Have you already done it? How was it mentally for you?

Listen to Stacey’s full story and her ultra strategies here: https://www.theriot.run/spriddy or Watch us chat on Youtube​

On the Journey,

David