Posts by Joe Grant

Full write-up and images over at Black Diamond Experience.  

The Geoff Roes Alaska Mountain Ultrarunning Camp is really something special. A blog post doesn’t even begin to do it justice, but here’s a visual account of our time there nonetheless. Come check it out for yourself next summer. You won’t regret it. In Flight Day 1: Sheep Creek Trail/Shark Lake     Day 2: Mt. Roberts Tram Run/Gastineau Peak      Day 3: Point Bridget State Park – Mendenhall Glacier        Day 4: Juneau Ridge            Day 5: Wetlands and channel crossing   Eagles and Ice   ...

I ease up 7th street, a casual jog – no watch, no phone, no camera, just running shoes, shorts and a long sleeve shirt. I’m slightly underdressed for late December, but like the feeling of freedom, reminiscent of summer. The flatirons come into sight, jagged tips above the large mansions that line the street. The sun peeks over the summit of the First Flatiron casting long, pyramidal rays across the meadow below- a stunning sight. For a split second, I’m disappointed that I have nothing, but my memory to capture the image. Yet, the feeling of lightness and momentary detachment from the electronic world far exceeds any desire to create a digital impression. My senses are touched with the right stuff- sunshine and fresh air. A warm burn runs down my legs...

Photo:Fred Marmsater On July 26th 1981, my grandfather, Robert L. Payton, ran a marathon on a cinder track in Garden City, New York. He was a great storyteller and told me this particular one many times. Initially, he had been planning to run the Chicago marathon in the fall with a couple of friends but work and other commitments got in the way so he decided to challenge himself to the distance, alone. 105 laps with no support other than a brief stop half way when grandma, wondering what he was up to, came over to the track to bring him some water. After his passing several years ago, we decided as a family to declare July 26, family sports day as a small tribute to him. This Tuesday, July 26 will mark the beginning for me of a month long adventure, the Tour de...

Prior to Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji in 2014, I did a fun run for BUFF at Lake Saiko in Japan. During the run, I met Yuichi Shibui director of Mountain Martial Arts (MMA), a trail running and lifestyle brand. He was wearing a pair of print denim running shorts and I commented on how much I liked them. Later that year at UTMB, Yuichi gave me a pair of the shorts along with a custom MMA Buff. Yuichi told me that the concept behind MMA was to produce stylish clothing for everyday use on and off the trail, meshing lifestyle with performance.   Earlier this year, we started discussing the idea of collaborating on a small clothing line for fall 2016. The driving concept behind the collaboration for both design and utility was to create clothing that connects town to nature...

The Mt. Hiei 50k International Trail Run is a wonderful event hosted just outside of Kyoto, Japan in late spring. The 50k course is challenging with over 11,000 feet of climbing, on steep, technical trails through the dense forests of Mt. Hiei. Mt. Hiei is home to the Tendai Buddhist monks, also known as the marathon monks, since they incorporate running as part of their spiritual practice. The monks are very supportive of the race, leading a prayer at the start, and welcoming runners at the finish. The place has a very unique, calm atmosphere inspired by the beauty of the land, the shrines and temples runners pass by and the palpable serenity the monks emanate. I was fortunate to take part in the 2016 race and am ever so thankful to Hisao Takenaka and Tsuyoshi...