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Ben Stark

@starkive

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Brand Marketer @merrell

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Working on some more rainbow swirl mugs for the November 1st @merchants.and.makers Holiday Market @fultonstmarket !

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Another beautiful market day @merchants.and.makers Artprize Market!

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Creede Mountain Run: September 5, 2026 🥈

It’s not often that I get video of me actually running but @anthonykunkel was done many MANY minutes before me so I got lucky. Too bad he’s too fast for anyone to get video of him lol.

Isn’t it crazy how your pace doesn’t really look as desperate or dramatic as it feels? I crossed the finish line, was stoked to be under 2 hours, changed out of my racing shoes into my casual cooldown shoes, discovered a blister I knew about as well as a bonus perfectly flayed pinky toe that I was completely unaware of, continued to be stoked anyway, and a lady came up to me. She said, rather sheepishly but still with some determination like she was finding it within herself to be a little brave, “I hope this isn’t weird but your running is beautiful”. Reflecting on this moment I have stillness in my soul, and this small human moment makes me tear up. We should probably be telling each other stuff like this more frequently.

Y’all I’m coming out of my ugly duckling phase even if I don’t always recognize it. The imposter syndrome tells me I’m still not “fast” but I don’t care. Well, I’m practicing not caring. I may not feel fast, but I’m fast-er (emphasis on the er).

Creede, it was truly an absolute joy. 2nd female, roughly 11.5 mile loop, about 2000 ft of gain, 1:53:00 ish, my first proper mountain run, and an absolutely beautiful course. I’ll be back ⛰️ PS: I won a rock from the town and it’s awesome

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Featured: Merrell Moab 3 Jelly “Neon Green” 🧪 @merrell @merrell_1trl

I’ve been wanting to try Merrell for the longest time and finally that day has come. Let me tell you, they are nothing like anything I have in my collection so far and that has me excited.

The Merrell Moab 3 Jelly “Neon Green” takes one of Merrell’s most recognizable hiking silhouettes and gives it a completely different personality. The familiar mesh base is covered with translucent neon-green synthetic overlays, creating that glossy “jelly” effect while the muted grey mesh underneath keeps the color from becoming overwhelming. I like how the semi-transparent material emphasizes all of the different panels and shapes that make up the Moab 3.

Underneath the more experimental upper, it is still a legitimate Moab. You get a Vibram TC5+ outsole with 5mm lugs, Merrell Air Cushion in the heel, a Super Rebound Compound midsole, and the protective toe construction the model is known for. It’s a cool example of taking a rugged, functional hiking shoe and changing its entire aesthetic simply through materials and color.

The neon green might not be subtle, but that’s exactly why I like this one. It’s different, unique, and definitely stands out amongst the rest of my collection.

Are you a fan? Let me know 👇

#merrell #merrellmoab #merrell1trl #sneakerunboxing #trailshoes

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Backyard hangs with the Stark Family.

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As if I could let last weekend slip by without (over)sharing.

Racing was so much of my life until I lost it when I needed it most (divorce, pandemic, like 6 major life changes all at once, a deep dark cave of depression & anxiety unlike anything I’d ever known, etc). I still grieve those prime racing years I lost, and it’s hard to imagine I’ll ever genuinely say I’m grateful that I lost it. But I can recognize the incredible growth & opportunities I’ve had as a result: a healthier relationship with running and my self-worth, an MFA/poetry book/poetry press, a sick-ass profession that affords me lots of time outdoors, a wealth of cool acquaintances/colleagues/dear friends, and a generally fun and fulfilling life. Losing racing turned me into a stronger, wiser, more creative, and more mentally flexible person. I love who I became when I couldn’t rely on training for a race anymore.

And while I lost competitive running at the worst possible time, I could not have asked for a better time or way to get it back. To have gotten a little pep talk from @alexipappas while she applied glitter to my face, to see that glitter reflect in my sunglasses while I was racing, to suffer up a steep mountainside, to open my arms and feel like I’m flying on the descent, to spend most of the race alone with my thoughts in a magical emerald forest, to have watched so many incredible athletes pour their whole heart into the skyrunning race the day before, to win my race, to cheer on friends and strangers, to remember all the reasons I love this sport, and to do all this as part of my job? A dream.

Occasionally I’ve feared the running/racing landscape has changed so much since I was racing that I wouldn’t feel at home here anymore. But that was a silly worry. Racing is racing, runners are runners, people are people. A lot *has* changed, but so have I. And thank gahd for that.

Big shoutout to @merrellrunning, @outsidepr, @_taybaum1, & @bran_donsmith for organizing such an insightful, well-run, hella fun media trip. Big ginormous shoutout to @beastofbigcreek for such a fun weekend with impeccable vibes. Congrats to all the @skyrunning athletes! You all were a true joy to cheer on.✨

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The Beast of Big Creek weekend was more than just a race for the Merrell team, it also hosted our team Summit.

One of the biggest highlights was finally meeting the Merrell product development team in person. After spending so much time testing shoes, sharing feedback, and talking through ideas from afar, it was really special to put faces to the people behind it all. Getting to meet more of my Merrell teammates for the first time made the weekend even better.

To come away with the win in front of the people who invest so much in me and believe in what I do made it that much more meaningful. And for the first time in my running career… I finally got to break the tape. I have to admit, I wish more races here in the States did that because it’s such a fun tradition and an unforgettable finish.

A huge thank you to Mathias for creating something so special. His positivity is contagious, and you can tell how much heart he pours into this event. The organization was outstanding from start to finish, and it was refreshing to be part of a race that still feels so grassroots while delivering such a world class experience.

I also want to give a shoutout to the Skyrunning media crew. They spend countless hours traveling, filming, hiking gear up mountains, and putting together the stories that allow all of us to relive these moments. A lot of work happens behind the scenes, and I’m grateful for everything they do for our sport.

Thank you to everyone who made this weekend unforgettable.

Next stop: Kismet in New Hampshire for the US Skyrunning Series Final. See you there.

@merrellrunning @skyrunning
@beastofbigcreek

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I’ve won races and felt like sh*t. I’ve also placed far from projections and found pure, contented peace.
Existential dread sets in when we set our sights too low.
I believe this is mechanically true as much as philosophically true: eyes up, dare to play too hard, objectively assess what’s possible and get outa the way to let the magic out.
I’m treating these seasons like I only have a few left, which is fair rather it’s 2-4 seasons or dozens.
And there aren’t many experiences left to harvest from my running career.

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“Antler Twist” has cleared cobwebs and decompressed the narrowed vision and head pressure I’ve had working hard at high altitude.
You know I’m tinkering with 3-4 things at any time, but this maneuver works immediately so the scientific rigor can be set aside. And I’ve never felt this good above 9K feet 🏔️
With the Leadville 100 coming up soon, it’s unfair for me not to share this simple 6-breath reset to benefit my fellow runners -or anyone hiking up high this summer.
Try it out and report back; I’m always looking to refine things 🙏 We are the pioneers.
🏜️ For anyone close to Phoenix, looking to learn and embody this stuff, I’ll be there Aug 3-9th and extremely available to share. Also, there may be a few tickets left for the Lion’s Gate event with the @humangarage core team 👀

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And just like that, the Christmas of trail running is over. Seeing the speed and performances at Broken Arrow is still fresh in my mind, even though WSER had so many amazing performances across the field. TrailCon brought together so many passionate folks and brands, and I’m happy I had another chance to be present for it. It’s all left me hungry to get back to normal training, whatever that may look like.

Now I’m decompressing from the constant go, go, go. But already missing being surrounded by friends. With the harsh realization of wildfire season upon us, I’m not sure my next steps. Our trails and forests are on fire, but this is the new norm. Years of wildfire suppression are now one of our biggest problems. Federal USFS + BLM staff cuts leave firefighters short staffed to confront hundreds of thousands of active wildfires. My thoughts are with those firefighters and their families, and with those whose homes are at risk. Stay safe out there friends. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you need anything. Your communities extend past physical borders.

#trailrunning #community

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Disappointed but encouraged.
I gave everything I had on the day, and unfortunately that didn’t quite get the job done. I dropped from Western States at ForestHill — mile 62. Mentally I was solid all day, but physically it felt like it was going from pain to damage. A year ago, I wasn’t able to run, so I’m happy with the progress that has been made, even if the result doesn’t look great on paper. Thank you to my awesome crew that was there in the dark times and helped make a hard decision a bit easier. 🙏🏿

•mostly random snaps from my phone•

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