Welcome to The Road to Big's, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

In this episode, Jaci sits down with Scott Martin, an ultrarunner with more than 120 races on UltraSignup and a recent 78-yard backyard PR at Banana Slug, where he covered 325 miles.

Scott earned a spot on Team USA two years ago but was unable to compete because of injury. Now he's back and heading to Big's with a much bigger question in mind: How far can he go?

Scott and Jaci talk about:

• What it means to finally get his shot at Big's after missing out two years ago
• Representing Team USA and the unique dynamic of competing as part of a team
• What he learned from his 78-yard performance at Banana Slug
• Why he believes the key to a backyard is simply starting the next loop
• The mental challenge of watching other runners and assuming they're doing better than you
• His goal of experiencing a fourth night of backyard running
• Why the difficult parts of the race can actually become easier the longer he goes
• And what it would mean to Scott to truly find his limit, even if he isn't the last runner standing

Scott also shares the fascinating story behind how his diagnosis with ankylosing spondylitis changed his relationship with running and ultimately helped shape the consistent, high-volume runner he is today.

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big's course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Follow Scott:
Instagram @cavemanrunmts
Strava
Facebook

Scott's sponsers:
Evolution Healthcare & Fitness
Speedland
Squirrel's Nut Butter
Work Epic

Follow The One More Hour Podcast for more The Road to Big's interviews with Team USA leading into the World Championships, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

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🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

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