An Inside Look to Ultrarunning Commentating with Corinne Shalvoy

Ultrarunning livestreams have transformed the way fans experience the sport, making iconic races more accessible than ever before.

Ultrarunning commentator and Team Injinji Athlete Corinne Shalvoy started broadcasting simply because she volunteered to do so for a race, and the rest is history!

From being on the microphone at Cocodona 250, Hardrock 100 and Black Canyon Ultras, to running in races like Ouray 100 and UTMB, Corinne combines firsthand ultrarunning experience with thoughtful storytelling to gives fans a deeper look into every race. We asked Corinne about how she prepares, the challenges of being on a microphone for hours and the unforgettable experiences that come with broadcasting ultrarunning.

I do a number of things to prepare. First, I research the entrants with a focus on the athletes who are most likely to finish during my commentary shifts or the front runners if I'll be covering the lead race. I like to learn about each athlete's history in the sport, recent and notable race results, Strava if it's public to get a glimpse into their training, and their Instagram or other social media.

I also spend time refreshing my knowledge of the course by reading the race website and listening to podcasts from a variety of perspectives. That was actually part of what inspired me to start my own podcast, Ultra Uncovered. Sometimes I'll even watch previous race livestreams to revisit key sections of the course, remember pivotal moments and analyze what worked well from a commentary standpoint.

I make notes on important statistics such as course records, what makes the race unique, the size of the field, the percentage of women and men in the race, and any interesting storylines that could add context for viewers.

We're also fortunate to have some incredible tools available now. Resources like Freetrail Fantasy, shoutout to Travis Loncar, along with AI research tools, have made it much easier to quickly gather information and uncover compelling stories about both the athletes and the race itself.

The first is filling time. Ultramarathons are long, and your job is to keep viewers engaged for hours while still telling the story of the race as it unfolds. You must find the right balance between sharing interesting context, athlete stories, course history and race analysis without drifting too far from the action that's happening at the moment. Because ultramarathons are so unpredictable, you also have to be ready to adapt. Someone unexpected may move to the front of the race, requiring you to do research on the fly, or you may need to navigate real time challenges like camera outages, equipment issues, weather, or other unexpected situations while keeping the broadcast moving seamlessly.

The second challenge is appealing to a constantly changing audience. The average viewer only watches a livestream for about 15 minutes at a time. People are constantly joining, leaving and coming back, and each time they return, they expect to know exactly what is happening. That means you're repeating the most important information throughout the broadcast, but you have to do it in a way that doesn't feel repetitive for those who've been watching all day. At the same time, you're trying to make viewers feel like they're part of the experience by bringing them into the atmosphere of the race and helping them understand what the athletes are thinking and feeling in those moments.

Carbs, caffeine, and a genuine excitement and fandom of the sport.

Mountain Outpost, who I primarily work with, has an incredible production and direction team that keeps everyone on the same page throughout the race. We receive updates through our earpieces and sometimes by text message, letting us know when cameras have picked up key athletes or when something important is about to happen.

Whenever we have good footage of a runner, especially those at the front of the race, the production team brings that feed into the livestream and we immediately begin providing context and commentary around what viewers are seeing.

It really is a team effort. The drone pilots, on-course camera operators, producers, directors and commentators are all working together to tell the story of the race in real time. Huge shoutout to the drone pilots and on-the-ground camera crews who make it all possible. They cover an incredible amount of terrain to bring these races to life for viewers around the world.

Over the years, I've learned to recognize many of the top runners by their running gait, form and overall mannerisms. That becomes especially helpful when we're looking at a drone shot or a distant camera angle where it's not immediately obvious who we're seeing.

I'm also paying attention to all of the little details that can tell a much bigger story. Things like how efficiently a runner moves through an aid station, how their crew and pacers interact with them, their body language, what they're eating or drinking, whether they're smiling or unusually quiet and how they're responding to other runners on the course.

Those small moments often provide clues about how the rest of the day might unfold. An athlete may look physically strong but seem mentally off, or they might lose valuable time in an aid station because they're struggling to make decisions. Those are the kinds of details that casual viewers may not notice, but they can become major storylines later in the race.

Livestreaming has changed the sport in a lot of positive ways. Combined with live runner tracking, it gives crews real time information about what's happening throughout the race. They can use that information to better support their athlete at aid stations, assuming the athlete wants those updates. We've even seen athletes tune into the livestream themselves while they're out on the course. Kevin Goldberg, for example, has jumped into the Cocodona 250 livestream chat during the race and has said it helps him stay engaged and connected to the event.

For fans, I think the biggest impact is accessibility. People who may never have the opportunity to experience these races in person can now follow along from anywhere in the world. They get to see the incredible landscapes, the beauty of these remote places and the true difficulty of covering this kind of terrain. Livestreams also help people appreciate just how much every athlete, not just the leaders, puts into reaching the finish line.

More than anything, livestreaming has made ultrarunning feel more connected. It allows fans, crews, families and athletes to experience these incredible events together, even when they're hundreds or thousands of miles apart.

I think we will continue to level up in terms of the shots and clarity of video we are able to provide, especially in remote places. Hopefully upcoming will be more iconic events being livestreamed and opportunities for athletes due to the exposure and coverage the livestreams provide.

I've been running since I was 12 years old, but I didn't discover trail and ultrarunning until around 2017, after my two boys were toddlers. I quickly fell in love with the trails, the community and the adventure that comes with spending long days in the mountains.

I got into broadcasting because I simply raised my hand and volunteered. I knew the Mountain Outpost team through my involvement with the Aravaipa Racing Team, and in 2021, I started helping commentate races like Javelina 100. Every opportunity led to another, and over time I intentionally built my lifestyle and professional life in a way that allowed me to take on more commentary work.

In 2023, I was invited to help commentate the inaugural Hardrock 100 livestream, largely because of my familiarity with the San Juan Mountains and the race itself. That opportunity was incredibly special and opened the door to even more events.

Much like ultrarunning, becoming a commentator has been about showing up consistently, putting in the reps and continuing to learn with every race. There's no shortcut. Experience is built one event at a time and through putting in the reps.

I hope it helps me communicate what the athletes are actually experiencing because, in many cases, I've been in their shoes. Whether it's the highs of a great day or the lows that inevitably come during an ultramarathon, I can often relate to what they're feeling physically and mentally and hopefully help the audience understand that experience.

My goal is to tell the story of the race while also highlighting the incredible athletic ability, resilience, and determination these runners possess. It's easy to focus on the times and positions, but there's so much more happening beneath the surface.

Having personally run certain sections of the course I'm commentating allows me to paint a more vivid picture for viewers. I can describe what a climb feels like, how technical a descent really is, what the altitude does to your body or what it's like to arrive at a certain aid station after hours on your feet. Those firsthand experiences help bring the course to life.

At the end of the day, you're a storyteller. While research is incredibly important, some of the best stories come from having been in the arena yourself and understanding what makes these races so extraordinary.

I was very nervous! I wanted to do well and felt the pressure of representing the sport I love to a large audience. Over time, I’ve gotten much more comfortable and realized that everyone who commentates has their own style and personality, and the combination of many different voices is what makes a great livestream.

There have been so many memorable moments that it's hard to pick just one. Calling in incredible performances by female athletes like Courtney Dauwalter at Hardrock, Rachel Entrekin at Cocodona and watching Golden Ticket dreams become reality are all moments I'll never forget.

If I had to choose one, though, it would probably be calling the finishes of Arlen Glick and Ryan Montgomery at Javelina 100. Watching two athletes from very different backgrounds execute outstanding races in their own unique ways was incredibly special. What made it even more fun was the setting. Javelina has such a unique atmosphere. It's equal parts elite competition and desert costume party, and that combination creates an energy unlike any other race. Being able to tell the story of those performances while the finish line was buzzing with excitement is a moment I'll always remember.

Honestly, you almost can't think about the numbers too much or it becomes overwhelming. When you're on air, your focus has to stay on telling the story of the race as accurately and authentically as possible.

At the same time, knowing that so many people are watching definitely raises the bar. It motivates you to come prepared, do your homework and be as professional as you can. You want to do right by the athletes, the race organization and the viewers who are trusting you to help them experience the event.

I also think it's a tremendous opportunity to grow the sport. Many people tuning into these broadcasts are watching an ultramarathon for the very first time. My goal isn't just to explain what's happening, but to help viewers connect with the athletes as people. When you understand their stories, sacrifices, and motivations, you become invested in their journey. That's how you create lifelong fans of ultrarunning.

There are quite a few, but Tara Dower's finish at the 2024 Black Canyon 100K definitely stands out. Watching her push herself to the absolute limit, collapse at the finish line and earn her Golden Ticket to Western States was an incredible moment.

That race showed the ultrarunning world that Tara wasn't just an elite Long Trail FKT athlete. She could also compete with the very best in a fast, highly competitive 100K. It felt like a true breakout performance and the beginning of a new chapter in her career.

Since then, it's been amazing to watch her trajectory in the sport. Beyond being an incredible athlete, she's also one of the kindest, most genuine people you'll meet, which makes it especially rewarding to see her succeed. Those are the moments that stick with you because you know you're witnessing something truly special in real time.

Lately, I've been especially inspired by the incredible athletes who are thriving well into their 40s and beyond. As someone in that stage of life myself, it's exciting to see what's possible and a reminder that you don't have to peak in your 20s or 30s. In many ways, we're seeing athletes continue to improve with age, experience and consistency.

People like Beth McKenzie, Ludo Pommeret, Courtney Dauwalter, Ida Nilsson, Lauren Puretz, Stella Springer, and so many others continue to redefine expectations. They're proving that endurance, wisdom and years of experience can be just as powerful as youth.

One of the things I love most about ultrarunning is that success isn't limited by age in the same way it is in many other sports. There are incredible stories unfolding across every age group, and I find those just as inspiring as watching the next rising star break onto the scene.