WeeViews

02/10/2026

Some shoes feel fast. Others actually change how your legs feel after a long weekend of running.

Jenna put the HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 to the test across multiple long efforts and came away impressed by just how light, springy, and protective they felt, even deep into high mileage. At just 7.52 oz with a carbon fiber plate and PEBA foam midsole, they’re built for runners chasing efficiency on race day and beyond.

Of course, that performance comes at a premium. At $275, the Cielo X1 3.0 sits firmly in the super shoe category, making the cost vs. benefit question an important one for most runners.

If you’re curious whether the ride, responsiveness, and ultra-light feel justify the investment, Jenna breaks down her full experience in her review.

Read it here: https://www.weeviews.com/reviews/4293/hoka-cielo-x1-30

Would you spend $275 on a race-day shoe?

02/05/2026

Some trail shoes are designed to feel energetic and fast. The La Sportiva Prodigio 2 is designed to feel stable, protective, and mountain-ready. ⛰️🔒️

After ~60 miles on technical trail, gravel, mud, and winter conditions, one thing became clear: this is a firm, durable daily trainer that really comes alive on uneven terrain. The outsole grip, secure lockdown, and rugged yet surprisingly comfortable upper make it a great option for runners who value ground feel and stability over bounce.

But it’s not for everyone.

If you prefer soft, highly responsive foam or mostly run smooth surfaces, this probably isn’t your shoe.

I break down exactly who this shoe works for, how it compares to others in the category, and where it shines most in the full review here:

👉

Firm, stable mountain trainer with excellent grip and a durable, comfortable upper. The updated mids...

02/04/2026

Our WeeViewer of the Week is a familiar face! We first featured Jake in 2023 after he joined WeeViews and wrote his very first review on the HOKA Mach 4. Back then, he was working toward his first marathon and figuring out what running meant to him.

Jake now leads Dirt Dorks Trail Club in Portland, has helped friends and family cross their first finish lines, and is training for a 50-mile race this fall. He’s shifted most of his miles to the trails for longevity, strength, and the simple joy of sharing miles and the joy of running with others.

Recently, Jake coached his best friend and sister (see photo) to their very first half marathon, and now he's helping his younger sister train for her first 5K.

On the trails, you’ll usually find him in the HOKA Tecton X 3 with his Terignota Valhalla Vest packed with Skratch gummies, Tailwind, and his not-so-secret weapon… a honey bun.

He lives by three letters: AMF...Always Move Forward.

What’s one moment lately where you had to remind yourself to keep moving forward?

02/03/2026

WeeViewer Wednesday: Race Day Edition 🏁
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Some races are about speed. Others are about vibes, weather stories, and the kind of morning you end up talking about long after the finish line.
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This week, we’re highlighting two February events through the words of runners who showed up, laced up, and shared what stood out most.
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👇 In race-calendar order:
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💘 Valentine Greenway Challenge 5K & 10K – Black Mountain, NC
A mostly flat greenway course with one honest hill, clear markings, and a well-run event that supports the Black Mountain Greenways. A community-driven race with spirit awards, age group recognition, and proceeds going back to local trails.
📅 February 11
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 WeeViews stars
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❄️ Dirty Trail Series: Dirty Love 15K & 8K – North Chagrin Reservation, OH
An early-season trail race that had to be rescheduled twice thanks to Ohio winter, but third time was the charm. Snow, rain, hail, hot chocolate by the fire, and a course that felt worth the wait. Hikers welcome and vibes high.
📅 February 15
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 WeeViews stars
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These photos and quotes come straight from WeeViewers who took the time to log their race experiences on our site. That’s what helps other runners know what to expect before they toe the line.
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👉 Raced something recently? Loved it? Learned something the hard way? Drop your review on WeeViews and help the next runner pick their next start line.

02/02/2026

🚨 Running News 🚨

A 16-year-old just ran 3:48.88 for the mile.

New Zealand’s Sam Ruthe lit up the track at Boston University this weekend, becoming the youngest person in history to break 3:50 and setting a new world U18 best in the process. He also lowered a New Zealand national record that had stood for more than 40 years.

Here’s the part that really puts this in perspective…

Only 10 men in world history have ever run faster indoors than 3:48.88.
That list includes names like Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Yared Nuguse, Josh Kerr, and Hicham El Guerrouj.

Sam Ruthe is 16.

This was also his first ever indoor race, after 50+ hours of travel from New Zealand into a snow-covered Boston. Mid-race, the original plan disappeared when his training partner stepped off, and Ruthe had to decide whether to chase a time or race to win...

He raced.

With smooth, even laps he took the lead on the final turn and crossed the line looking almost casual for someone who had just rewritten the record books. ⏱️

Which part of this blows your mind more: the time, the age, or the fact he did it after 50+ hours of travel? ✈️

01/30/2026

Running isn’t just about miles or pace — it’s shaped by the gear we choose, the routes we run, the people we run with, and how safe we feel showing up day after day.

In this week’s episode of The Hobby Jogger Podcast, Mike Duffy shares his perspective on shoes, safety, running community, and what actually keeps running enjoyable over time.

🎧 Shoes, Safety, and the Joy of the Run

👉 Listen here:

Welcome to The Hobby Jogger Podcast, where elite athletes and ham-and-eggers lace up their stories. We explore the common ground that running creates from the world-class runner to the hobbyist hitting the pavement, trail or treadmill. Expect a bl...

01/29/2026

Winter storm in the forecast? Good. ❄️⛈️

If you’re the type of runner who doesn’t reschedule when the weather turns ugly, the Gorewear Concurve GORE-TEX Jacket is worth a look.

We tested it across winter road miles and mountain runs and found a shell that delivers true waterproof protection, excellent wind blocking, and a surprisingly lightweight, runner-specific fit. It shines on cold, wet, windy days — but it’s not without tradeoffs, especially when effort levels rise or temps creep up.

If you train through winter storms instead of around them, this might be the layer you’ve been searching for.

👉 Read the full review here ⬇️

A true waterproof running shell for cool, wet weather. Lightweight, windproof, and easy to carry, wi...

01/28/2026

This one’s a special WeeViewer Wednesday & a little different than usual. 💛

We’re celebrating Evan, our former WeeViews Editor, and saying thank you for the huge role he played in shaping The Rundown and this community.

If you’ve ever read an article on the site and thought, “Dang, this is solid,” there’s a good chance Evan had a hand in it.

A few wild (and very Evan) facts:

📝 Wrote and edited 400+ articles for The Rundown

🏔️ Finished 17 100-mile ultras

🏆 Holds the record for most finishes at Mountain Lakes 100 in Oregon

🏃‍♂️ Ran 200+ marathons (races + Saturday Morning Marathons)

⛰️ Completed a DIY Tahoe 200 last summer

🌲 Ran the Gorge Waterfall 100K with Team WeeViews and missed the cutoff at mile 44 by 4 minutes (while still feeling good to continue 😅)

🎧 Hasn’t run with music or podcasts in 15 years

🎂 Runs his age in miles every birthday, with his wife as the ultimate crew captain (pickle juice included)

But beyond the stats, Evan has always embodied what we love most about this community: showing up consistently, doing the work, and finding meaning in the journey, both on the run and behind the keyboard.

Evan, thank you for the hundreds of hours, the care you brought to the details, and the heart you have poured into WeeViews.

We’ll see you out there! ⛰️🏃

01/27/2026

Check out these 3 mile-tested lessons from 400+ running stories in The Rundown about why we run and what really matters. 👇️🏃

🏃‍➡️And then something else happens..Your mind drifts back over all the miles and months of training it took to get there. The early mornings. The long runs. The workouts that went great and the ones that didn’t..At some point, usually when the runner’s high fades, you start thinking:

01/26/2026

Casual reminder that age is…one of the least important numbers! 🏃‍♀️ ⁠
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Michelle Rohl is 60 years old and she just ran world record mile time for her age group: 5:26.⁠
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Mom of five.⁠
Former Olympian.⁠
Took 20 years off.⁠
Came back.⁠
Collected records.⁠
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No big deal. 😌⁠
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Friendly reminder that:⁠
✨ you’re not too late⁠
✨ you’re not past your prime⁠
✨ and your running story is still being written⁠
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What goal are you chasing?

01/22/2026

Max cushion… without the wobble? 👀

David just put the La Sportiva Prodigio Max through 40+ miles of wet, snowy, soft-trail testing. He came away impressed by how stable and planted it feels for a 37mm stack. It’s firm, protective, confidence-boosting on technical terrain, and built more for control than bounce.

But it’s not for everyone (hello, snug fit + premium price tag).

If you’ve been eyeing max-cushion trail shoes for long runs, winter miles, or high-volume training, this one’s worth a closer look 👇

The Prodigio Max is at its best when trails are soft or terrain is moderately technical. It feels su...

01/21/2026

From mobility loss to running ultras…

In 2017, Shane lost the ability to walk without a cane after being diagnosed with MS. When he regained mobility through treatment, he made himself a promise: never take it for granted again.

So he started running. 🏃‍♂️

Not just for fitness, but because he remembers exactly what it feels like to lose something you assume will always be there.

Fast forward to now…Shane was selected as a segment athlete for MS Run the US, the world’s longest ultra relay (3,260 miles from LA → NYC).

His segment:
📍 155 miles
⛰️ Across the Appalachian Mountains in Pennsylvania
📆 Over 6 days (basically a marathon-a-day)

Each segment athlete raises $10,000, with funds going directly toward helping people with MS cover day-to-day needs like mobility aids, medical support, and financial assistance.

And for Shane, this one hits home. He’s not just running for the MS community. He’s running as part of it.

Shane’s Go-to gear & fuel:
👟 Mount to Coast R1
🩳 Path Projects
🎧 Shokz
⌚ Garmin 955
🕶 Roka
🍯 Honey Stinger, Hammer gels (apple cinnamon), Hyke, Maurten… + frozen Uncrustables

Tap ❤️ if this puts your next run into perspective.