Allison Powell

Growing up, I hated to be asked my favorite band or what type of music I listened too. Musicals were a constant in our car, so those were my touchstones. But not a great conversation starter… As an adult, I’ve come to embrace and appreciate my theater kid side. One of my values for races this year is “authentic.” I authentically love listening to musicals. They get me hype! I even understand when people say (about other music) “oh this live version is better” or “listen to this specific recording.” Cause the fact that this reel has You Can’t Stop the Beat from the movie and not the OBC (original broadway coast) is not my favorite 😂 Heading into Cocodona I’m trying to focus on the Whimsy. All I can control is having fun and doing my best: so don’t forget the Tenacious! 💪 Whimsy means: Cocodona, The Musical! I hope you’ll sing along with me all the way to Flagstaff! Joy, whimsy, authenticity! Let’s go get tenacious on some trails! 🎶🎭💕 Major thanks to @runners4publiclands and @wanderproject18 and all the donors who made my charity bib possible! #cocodona250 #aravaiparunning #flagstaffbound #theaterkid #charitybib

250 miles takes a lot of gear. Take a look inside the kits of 10 Rendezvu hosts preparing for @cocodona250 . 👀

Flagstaff Bound Ep. 19: @allisonhpowell Allison Powell is back and bringing a whole new vibe with her. A returning Cocodona finisher and a driving force in the trail community, Allison joins us to talk about her journey from theater kid to elite ultrarunner, and how that background is shaping her approach to the 250. After describing her 2024 race as full-on survival mode (think chaos, grit, and a little Mad Max energy), she’s rewriting the script for 2026 with a new theme: Cocodona the Musical. Yes, really. Allison shares how she’s leaning into carefully curated soundtracks to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of 250 miles and why this time around, she’s centering her entire race on one guiding principle: whimsy. We also dig into the work she’s doing off the course in Bozeman, where she’s helping grow and support the trail community through leadership roles with Women in Ultra Running and Runners for Public Lands. From making start lines feel more welcoming to advocating for trail stewardship and wildlife awareness, Allison is as committed to the community as she is to the miles. Watch full episode at the link in bio! #DistanceToEmpty #FlagstaffBound #cocodona250

We all need a laugh. The Great M Challenge. A true running documentary on YouTube. #trailrunning

Tips for running a 200 miler from @allisonhpowell . @distancetoemptypod MBA shoutout and free nutrition advice. These are sure to help you at @cocodona250

LATER TIME TOMORROW! NOW 6-8PM CROWDFUNDING WITH @allisonhpowell AT @theculturedcommunitycenter TICKETS IN BIO!

Also covering best practices for posts, emails, and how to make any asks for your projects—or yourself! #Crowdfunding #greenlightyourself #film #indiefilm #makeithappen

Join @runners4publiclands and me — shoutout @womeninultrarunning @bozemanrunclub — and Run For The Trails on Strava this month! 🙌 Public lands are all around us! Log 3 hours of running on any public lands: neighborhood parks, community paths, or local trails. You’ll receive a free 6-month membership to Runners for Public Lands paid for by RPL brand coalition partner @keen plus a one-time code for 25% off KEEN trail runners and discounts to the RPL store! 🤑 Without access to safe, healthy, runnable landscapes, there is no trail running. Join this challenge at the link in my bio and tag us on as you run to protect the places you love! 💕🏃‍♀️💕 #rpl #publiclands #strava #outside #runner

The Barkley Marathons. I wanted to do them before I’d ever even run a double digit workout. Like many, the incredible doc “The Race That Eats Its Young” inspired me. I was ready to be the human sacrifice, I was sure I could do it. My friends said they were going to hold me down and stop me from applying. But I wanted to test my limits!!! How far could I go?? In short, it’s The Barkley that got me into Ultrarunning. Without the Barkley I wouldn’t be who I am today… Probably a decade later and many ultras, FKTs, and more experience behind me, I finally learned how to apply. I had been testing those limits, but one goal remained…After just 3 years, I awoke to shock. I was in?! This race was truly a dream come true. While I fell short, I still got to experience the course. I found all the books and tested myself on the steepest climbs and heinous descents. I pushed hard, I tried my best, and I experienced first hand just how tough this event is. You struggle to stay upright, forward progress feels minuscule, the leaves hide traps that trip you up and send you flying. It is not for the faint of heart. You will be tested beyond anything else you’ve ever done. It’s unspeakably difficult. And I loved every second. It is rare in life we get the chance to fulfill such a huge dream. I am so grateful I had the chance to be “out there” Photo 1, 3, and 4 by @searchingforzocherman Photo 2 by @davidmiller.photography #barkley #barkelymarathons #bm100 #dreamsdocometrue #ratjaw

New podcast all about Allison’s Barkley Marathons experience. Anywhere you listen. Also, check out her substack allisonhardingpowell.substack.com #bm100

Barkley Marathons Recap with @allisonhpowell #trailrunning #bm100

What a wild and wonderful weekend!! Jeff pulled off the best Valentines gift ever—a chance to apply and run the Barkley! We had no control over the date or the fact we both got chosen (or the course or the weather or the start time etc etc) but it was very special indeed! Running up Chimney Top at sunrise I managed to hang in right behind him and we talked about the day, he asked if I was ready to be fearless and I answered in the affirmative. Then the fun began, a reckless descent off trail to book 15 (aka book 1, we started counterclockwise). I was ready! I was doing it! I put so much into training for this race. Preparing for the navigation, getting as fit and strong as I could for the climbs, working with my spots psych for how to handle tough emotions out there, and did research, research, research. I lucked out with great weather and an amazing team: The Overtime 8. We worked together for almost 12 full hours, people from all over the globe, all ages, 3 women and 5 men. We each brought strengths and helped each other through. So much more to say in a substack soon. For now a shoutout to the crewing goddess Tiffany who stayed awake all night, handled everything, and took care of both me and Jeff! I don’t know if you’re allowed to have this much fun at Barkley, but I sure did. Thank you to Carl and Laz, the Frozen Head State Park staff and all who made this weekend possible! Photo 5 by @davidmiller.photography Photo 6 by @searchingforzocherman The rest by @tmurraycamera #bm100 #barkley #barkleymarathons #frozenhead #fun