What a Saturday. We are still smiling about it. Before we get to results and photos, we have to start where every race like this starts: with the people who made it possible.
Thank You, Volunteers
A course like Caney Fork is very difficult to put on, and it is the volunteers who make it happen. In the weeks before the race, an army of people came out to clear all 50 miles of trail. The weedeating alone should have counted as its own ultra. There was mowing. There was rope setting. There was flagging, then reflagging after the hogs had opinions. And yes, somewhere out in that gorge, there was crying.
We do it for the love of it. This course is the definition of what HardWin stands for: rugged, untamed country that just needed some attention so people could get to it. There is no doubt in our minds this race will be selling out in the near future, and the 2026 field got the first stab at it.
Then race day came, and all day long we heard the same thing back to back: your volunteers are awesome. We had a ton of people working, feeding runners, looking out for everyone, making transfers for injured runners, and keeping a hundred moving parts turning at once. They absolutely killed it.
A Huge Shout Out to Doug Holder
Doug is the original race director of this event, and he trusted HardWin to carry it forward. He still helps out, he did an amazing job getting the course ready, and he was right there working on race day. This race exists because of Doug. Thank you, friend.
Now, About the Runners
Rain showers through the day. Slick rock, neverending climbs, and a rocky trail that never once lets you settle into a good clip. And they still came across that finish line smiling. And cussing. Usually both at the same time.
50 Mile
Men: 1. Brandon Sassone 11:33:06 2. Stephen Formosa 12:33:21 3. Joshua Amor 12:58:42
Women: 1. Amy Macintire 12:22:36 2. Kayleigh Mill 14:20:01 3. Lindsey Shady 15:26:15
Amy’s 12:22:36 was second overall. That is moving on this course.
25K Run
Men: 1. Anthony Groft 2:28:15 2. Niko Teller 2:39:52 3. Will Davis 3:15:41
Women: 1. Katy Goggin 3:42:35 2. Daley Swan 3:54:45 3. Sally Mikrut 4:08:54
25K Ruck
1. Rochard Weaver 5:23:16 2. Dan South 7:18:56, at 60 years old, carrying a loaded ruck over that terrain 3. Susanna Edgmon 9:20:59, first female
And some honest perspective on how tough this course is: 29 runners started the 50 mile and 16 finished it. Nearly half the field made the smart call to live and fight another day. This course gives nothing away, and next year the score gets settled. Full results are on UltraSignup.
Watch Race Day
Thirteen minutes from the trail, the aid stations, and the finish line, straight from race day.
254 Free Race Photos
We put 254 photos from race weekend in the Caney Fork Ultra 2026 gallery, free for runners, ruckers, and families to save and share. You can find every HardWin race gallery on our Race Photos page.
What’s Next From HardWin
Natchez Trace Trail Run, November 7
Fiery Gizzard Run, November 28
Black Toe Run, January 30
And if Caney Fork lit something in you, our Adventure Vacations take that same spirit around the world. Patagonia 2027 is the one to look at first: trail running under the Andes in one of the wildest places on earth, and we have a few spots left that need filling. Right behind it is our Iceland hut to hut trip, with two more vacations going up shortly.
RUNNTENN and the Tardigrade Track Club
If you love race day but wish it came around more often, RUNNTENN is a nonprofit we founded in partnership with Metro Parks: free timed 5K run, ruck, and walk events in Nashville parks. Real timing, real results, zero dollars, everyone welcome.
And for the early birds, we put on the Tardigrade Track Club every Tuesday at 5:45 AM, typically at the Rose track. It is completely free. To join, email john.hardin@hardwinadventures.com and say add me to the list.
Thank you all for an unforgettable day at Caney Fork. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. There are some very big changes coming to HardWin, and your race history is going to be part of it.