Welcome to the GU team, Jacob Banta! 🎉
@banta.visuals is a professional runner, filmmaker, and photographer based in Mill Valley, whose passion and creativity is deeply intertwined with the running community. 🏃 📸 Through storytelling, racing, and community building, Jacob is passionate about sharing the power of endurance sports and helping others feel more connected to the people and places around them.
We're excited to support Jacob on and off the trail to continue building community and telling powerful stories! Welcome to the fam, Jacob! 🤝 📸 : @somerrunner
Jacob Banta @banta.visuals has been to every edition of @themarinmile and will be returning this year for his third appearance in the elite race!
A pro trail runner for @altrarunning and @guenergylabs Jacob has some big races coming up aside from The Marin Mile — namely the Western States 100 @wser a few weeks later.
He’s been a staple of this event since Day 1, so we can’t wait to see what he can throw down over 1 mile and a 100 miles!
📸 @fredviii
#themarinmile
Gorge waterfalls 50k
Every day I get to strap on a pair of running shoes and move through a beautiful place is a gift that I’ll never take for granted. Today was no exception. While 5th place isn’t the result that I had my sights set on, it’s the result I deserved. I took some big swings today and mixed it up with some absolute studs. One of the coolest things about running is that when things go south it’s usually your own fault and when things go really well it’s probably also your own fault. I have plenty to learn and build on from today and plenty to be proud of but most of all I just feel lucky that I get to do these things that make life feel so rich!
The course was absolutely majestic and the support from friends out there was overwhelming. Special thanks to @uponward for the crew support after he just crushed his 100k yesterday. @daybreakracing and @runfreetrail put on a stunner of a race this weekend and I’m so happy I got to be a part of it!
Huge thanks to @altrarunning for supporting me in pursuit of my big jogging dreams and to @guenergylabs for keeping my blood sugar in check while I chase them.
📸 @somerrunner (1,3,6,8-11)
@shitinthewoods (2,4,5,7)
#altrarunning #StayOutThere
IT’S RACE WEEK! This Sunday I get to compete in a jogging race against some very speedy athletes at the Gorge Waterfalls 50k!
This one feels extra special because it’ll be my first major race being sponsored AF* by @altrarunning
The list of people I have to thank for getting me here is way too long to list but I feel enveloped in love and so grateful for each one of you.
Now let’s go have some fun playing in the dirt!
Peace, love and Jogging ✌️❤️🏃♂️
#LFGorge #AltraRunning #liferips
📸 @tonywithasony
Jacob Banta 🤝 Altra
Trail free agency continues with @banta.visuals signing with @altrarunning
Jacob is a pro trail runner and photographer based in Mill Valley, CA. He’s been building a strong racing resume in the sport for a few years before achieving a big breakthrough in February when he finished 2nd place at the Tarawera 100k in New Zealand. That result earned Jacob a Golden Ticket to the Western States 100 in June.
We had Jacob on the podcast to discuss this new partnership and how he’s feeling leading into the Gorge Waterfalls 50k — an important stepping stone to Western States.
Find the episode wherever you listen to podcasts.
📸 @tonywithasony
Tomorrow I’m gonna go do sports as hard as I can at @taraweraultratrail
I’m feeling immense gratitude for all the people and experiences that make my LIFE RIP THE HARDEST!!!
Peace, love and Jogging ✌️❤️🏃♂️
📸 @ryanthrower
THE DIRT DECK | CARD #004 - COLE WATSON
AKA THE BARRACUDA
Home Town: Rancho Cordova, Ca
Team: Free Agent
Specialty: Fast, Runnable 100k to 100 Milers
Notable Results: 2024 Canyons 50k 3rd
2024 Mammoth 50k 3rd
2023 Western States 100 9th
2023 Canyons 100k 1st
Known For: Consistency in race execution. Cole has also run OTQ times in both the full and half marathon on the road.
What was supposed to be a long run with aid stations this past weekend turned into one of the most epic race experiences I’ve had in recent memory. Rick had me jump into the No Hands 35k last minute as a tune up for Tarawera next month but what I didn’t expect was to spend the whole race playing cat and mouse with @greatbasinranger
Shortly after this photo was taken Darren gave me a masterclass on how to break the spirit of your competition as he put nearly 2 minutes on me by the top of training hill. A few miles later I was surprised to reel him back in on a downhill section before the next climb. I went by but a few minutes later he showed me once again that he is one of the best ascenders in the game as he surged ahead. At this point I was at peace with second place because he was out of sight and I knew the race finished on a burly climb back up to overlook. After a few miles of speedy downhill back to the mighty American river I caught a glance of Darren once again. The next couple miles were flat so I knew if I wanted a chance of winning I would have to create plenty of separation before the last climb where he would inevitably reel me back in. I turned on “Now you’re mine” by Gangstarr full blast on my headphones and hammered as hard as I could towards the finish. I managed to hang in for the win and a 16 minute course record. I’m so grateful to Darren for making me try WAY harder than I wanted to and to @therickfloyd for all the jogging (and life) advice. Can’t wait to see what these legs can do next month in New Zealand!
📸 @joelcorcoran.photos@letswanderproductions
