What would you think if you arrived at a trailhead and saw runners strapping full-size ironing boards to their backs? That’s exactly how Don and Scott discovered Iron X, a 13-mile extreme ironing race through the trails of Auburn, California. Race creator Ben Mitchell and participant Brian Goldman explain the surprisingly real world of extreme ironing, the rules of carrying an ironing board through the wilderness, and the seven checkpoints where competitors must stop and iron their shirts in places ranging from the American River to an abandoned car. But beneath the absurdity is something that feels increasingly important in trail running: grassroots events built around community, creativity, and simply having a good time. The conversation also explores the challenges facing small race directors, the value of low-key “fat ass” events, and Brian’s work helping financially struggling runners participate in the sport. It’s a reminder that some of the best trail running experiences may have nothing to do with qualifying points, lotteries, or prestigious finish lines, and everything to do with showing up, finding your people, and not taking yourself too seriously.
LINKS
– IroningMan – the official Extreme Ironing Site
– Sign Up for next year’s Iron X
– Mendocino Running Festival
– Mile Madness Endurance Run
– Skybreaker Racing
– Run Free Foundation – a non-profit to help runners overcome the financial barriers of running
EPISODE SPONSORS
Tifosi Optics – CLARITY ON THE TRAIL: Post your Golden Nugget of wisdom that helps you recover after a huge effort on Instagram, tag @TifosiOptics, @TrailRunnerNation, and use the hashtag #ClarityOnTheTrail. OR try texting us (within the USA) with your tip: 916-235-3928.
If we use yours on a weekly episode, you get a pair of the new Sanctum SL glasses!
Stone Creek Coffee: Start every adventure with One More Mile, our limited edition coffee created by Stone Creek Coffee and Trail Runner Nation for runners who believe the journey is as meaningful as the finish line. Fuel your next early morning, long run, or post-run conversation, and save 20% with code ONEMOREMILE20. Every cup is an invitation to be part of a community that goes farther together
Timestamps
00:00 | Ironing Boards at the Trailhead
Don and Scott explain how a normal weekend trail run turned into the discovery of a 13-mile race involving runners carrying full-size ironing boards.
03:10 | How Iron X Was Born
Race creator Ben Mitchell explains how the strange sport of extreme ironing inspired him to create his own trail-running version in Auburn.
08:11 | Seven Stops and a Lot of Ironing
Ben breaks down the course and its required ironing locations, including standing knee-deep in the American River and ironing on an abandoned car.
13:12 | The Surprisingly Real World of Extreme Ironing
The group explores the history, rules, and wonderfully strange culture behind taking ironing boards into places they were never designed to go.
23:07 | Why Trail Running Needs More Weird Races
The conversation shifts from ironing to something bigger: the value of fun, inexpensive grassroots events in an increasingly commercialized sport.
30:52 | The Heart of Grassroots Trail Running
Ben and Brian discuss fat ass races, the challenges of putting on small events, and why these gatherings can represent trail running at its purest.
36:28 | Making Trail Running More Accessible
Brian shares the mission behind the Run Free Foundation and his efforts to help runners who can’t afford the increasingly high costs of gear, races, and travel.
45:01 | Stop Taking Yourself So Seriously
The episode closes with the biggest lesson from Iron X: trail running can help us discover ourselves, build community, and occasionally carry an ironing board through the woods just because it’s fun.
