Earn Every Mile: The Chubb Trail Experience

Out on the rugged backbone of Chubb Trail, there’s no hiding—just miles of unforgiving terrain, steady climbs, loose rock, and the kind of conditions that expose exactly what you’re made of.

That’s where I linked up with Andy Smola—a seasoned name in the St. Louis ultra scene—for a 25K ruck that turned into a full-on test of grit, pacing, and mental toughness.

From the first stretch, the tone was set. This wasn’t a casual outing—it was competitive, fast-moving, and filled with teams that showed up ready to push. The energy across the field was real. Everyone out there brought something to prove, and it elevated the entire experience.

Andy, as expected, was steady and composed—years of experience showing in how he handled the terrain, the weight, and the pacing. No wasted movement, no panic—just consistent forward progress. That kind of presence matters when the trail starts to bite back.

We locked into a rhythm early, but it didn’t take long before another team made things interesting. They were strong—really strong—and they pushed the pace in a way that forced us to stay engaged the entire time. It turned into a chase through the woods—leapfrogging sections, pushing climbs, and refusing to give an inch. Honestly, that’s what made the day. There’s something different about competing alongside people who are just as locked in as you are—it sharpens everything, you could tell at the 10m aid station, we both were ready to go to work.

We came through with about a 4-hour finish—right where you’d expect on a course like Chubb carrying weight. Not easy, not clean, but earned. Every mile demanded something.

What stood out most wasn’t just the effort—it was the community. The teams out there were dialed in, competitive, and supportive all at once. That balance is rare. You’re chasing each other through brutal terrain, but there’s mutual respect in every step. Thanks to an amazing teammate and new pal!

That’s Chubb Trail. It doesn’t hand out anything. But if you show up ready, it’ll give you exactly what you came for—and maybe a little more.