In this edition of "The Month of Jeff," I sat down with Jeff Colt—trail runner, adventurer, and golden ticket winner—to talk about everything from the eccentricities of ski culture to the art of burrito crafting. Jeff is a guy who’s won the Bandera 100K, set the FKT on the White Mountain Hut Traverse, and placed top 10 at Western States. But behind the accolades is a down-to-earth competitor with some truly unique stories.
Traveling with a Golden Ticket
I kicked off the conversation with a lighthearted question: How does one travel with a golden ticket? Jeff’s answer? Hilarious. For his first golden ticket win at Black Canyon, he handed it to a flight attendant who stored it with first-class coats. Eventually, he donated it to his local run shop. By the time he won his second golden ticket at Bandera, he passed on the oversized cardboard, opting instead for a more practical chocolate bar wrapped in a golden ticket. “I did eat the chocolate,” he confessed. It’s a blend of practicality and nostalgia that seems to define his approach to running—and life.
From Skiing to Running
Jeff’s roots are in skiing. Growing up in New Hampshire, he balanced alpine skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic skiing with a heavy dose of competitive running. His schedule in high school was grueling—up to 17 practices or competitions a week. This upbringing, Jeff believes, laid the foundation for his endurance as an ultra runner. Nordic skiing, he explained, builds not just physical endurance but a mental toughness that transfers seamlessly to trail running.
But what stood out most about his skiing days? The camaraderie. “In Nordic, even if someone beat me, we shared that sense of solidarity,” he said. That spirit of shared effort would later draw him to ultra running.
The White Mountains and the Naked Hut Traverse
Speaking of camaraderie, Jeff has a deep connection to the White Mountains, where he worked in the hut system for six summers. This chapter of his life introduced him to long-distance adventures. His first attempt at the White Mountain Hut Traverse was on Hike Naked Day—a decision he quickly regretted after enduring severe chafing. “I bailed at Zeeland Hut and wore a sarong for days after,” he laughed. It’s a quintessential Jeff Colt story: ambitious, a bit unconventional, but always a learning experience.
The Scrappy Years
Early in his career, Jeff hustled hard to make running sustainable. He leaned on gear testing gigs, scouring trails in prototype shoes and writing detailed reviews. He’s even tested quirky products like sunglasses with built-in radios. "They felt like military goggles," he said with a laugh.
Financial struggles shaped his early race strategy, too. Jeff would finish races with more gels than he started with, strategically grabbing extra nutrition from aid stations. He shared a particularly cheeky moment at Black Canyon: “I stuffed my vest with Roctane gels at the last aid station—it was like saving $35!”
Race Day Rick
Every ultra runner needs a good crew, and Jeff’s dad, affectionately nicknamed Race Day Rick, takes the job to the next level. Rick has been known to crew not just for Jeff but for Jeff’s competitors mid-race, earning praise from Tyler Green and Chris Mocko after Bandera 2019. “Rick was dumping water on me and handing me bottles,” they said—an awkward but hilarious moment for Jeff, who finished just behind them.
Race Day Rick’s enthusiasm sometimes spills over, like the time he launched a full three liters of water at Jeff’s face mid-race. Despite these antics, Jeff wouldn’t trade his dad’s presence for anything. "He’s the man," Jeff said with a smile.
Burrito Philosophy
When Jeff Colt isn’t crushing trails, he’s crafting burritos—a passion as intricate as his race strategies. His burrito philosophy centers on consistency and creative fillings. He’s been known to toss in everything from leftover salmon to air-fried chickpeas, with pickled red onions as the pièce de résistance. “I’m making two liters of pickled onions every two weeks,” he shared. For Jeff, burrito-making is more than cooking—it’s a form of Zen.
Looking Ahead
With Gorge 100K on his race calendar and a long-term goal of competing at Worlds again, Jeff is laser-focused on elevating his craft. He’s excited about the evolving trail running community, the diversity of regional races, and the sport’s expanding opportunities.
Jeff Colt is a runner, a skier, a burrito connoisseur, and above all, a storyteller. Whether he’s racing, testing gear, or dishing out Race Day Rick anecdotes, Jeff embodies the adventurous, grounded spirit of trail running. As we wrapped up, he said he’s looking forward to the next big adventure—one burrito and golden ticket at a time.
If you haven’t yet, check out the full conversation on the Free Outside Podcast.