When everything tells him to stop, Brett McOuat just keeps going. 

The 32-year-old moved to Steamboat Springs a year ago, learning about the Never Summer 100-kilometer race from other local runners. 

McOuat, a native of Edmonton, Canada, began ultra running somewhat recently, completing the Run Rabbit Run 100-mile race — his all-time favorite — last year. Last weekend, he completed the Never Summer race, the sixth ultra trail run of his career. 

The Never Summer 100-kilometer and 60-kilometer races take place mostly within the boundaries of the State Forest State Park, east of Walden. The race is run across a variety of terrain, from jeep and logging roads to Alpine trails and more — with over 14,500 feet of vertical gain.

According to McOuat, the race is one of the hardest 100-kilometer races in the state. He witnessed a number of runners struggle on the course, dropping out while competing on one of the hottest days in the race’s history. 

“It’s just straight up and straight down the whole time,” McOuat said. “You are on the ridgeline and above the treeline for a good majority of the race. The race directors are amazing, but they are cruel.” 

Beginning at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, McOuat and 282 runners, ranging from age 21-61, took to the 100-kilometer start line. Only 187 finished.

A grueling day led to McOuat’s 17th-place finish with a running time of 15 hours, 57 minutes. He completed his run at 9:27 p.m. 

Other Routt County runners also took to the race course including Tim Widmer, who crossed the finish in 48th. Penn Lukens finished 18 seconds after the clock struck midnight Sunday morning. He placed 62nd. Zoe Everard was the 17th female to complete the race, at 2:30 a.m. Sunday for 105th overall. 

Routt County also had representation in Friday’s 60-kilometer race with Hayden’s Ryan Wattles taking sixth overall with a time of 7 hours, 19 minutes. Steamboat’s Tim Hoppin and Elisha Colson placed 18th and 54th overall in the 60k race, respectively. 

It’s all mental

Training for ultra trail runs is more mental than physical for McOuat. While he needs to maintain a solid baseline of running fitness, he said blocking out the negative thoughts is key to a successful race. 

To stay mentally present, McOuat picks out a point on the race course where, if he reaches it, he knows he can complete the run from there. On Saturday, that point was around mile 43. The final 22 miles were a lot more calm for McOuat who said he only needed to worry about roughly 1,000 feet of elevation gain from his selected point to the finish. 

The best way, however, for McOuat to stay present is taking in the support from other racers and the support crews at aid stations. He felt a genuine boost from every runner he encountered on the course, and made sure to give it right back. 

“The support from other runners and volunteers gives you so many opportunities to finish and make the experience so positive when everything else is telling you it’s not a positive experience in your body,” McOuat said. 

Coming into aid stations, McOuat carried a pretty unique situation due to a peanut allergy. Many racers turn to peanut butter as a great consumption source for ultra runs, and once they eat peanut butter they may go on to touch other products at aid stations. 

Fortunately for McOuat, many ultra runs allow drop-bags at aid stations. He fills his bags with water, electrolytes and gels to stay hydrated. His bags are also stuffed with jackets and head lamps to account for changing temperatures and brightness outside. He equated organizing drop-bags to a part-time job in the weeks leading up to the race. 

While a top-20 finish is a glamorous accomplishment for McOuat, he said the most valuable achievement is simply crossing the finish line and watching others do the same. McOuat ran alongside racers from all walks of life on Saturday, something he reflected on for the duration of his run. 

“Everybody from these completely different backgrounds comes together for this very strange goal of pushing your body to the limits and seeing what you can persevere through,” he said. “That aspect is my favorite part.”