I’m John Lacroix (la-croy). Depending on who you ask, I am a pioneer, a provocateur, or a pain in the ass. I am also an outdoor educator, a GIS consultant, a father, and a neurodivergent human in constant pursuit of meaning. I founded the Human Potential Running Series (HPRS) not as a trophy factory, but as a sanctuary from the ego-driven “horseshit” that has permeated modern trail running.

The Credentials

My leadership isn’t based on “vibes”; it’s built on data, safety, and decades of boots-on-the-ground experience.

• Experience: I have finished over 100 ultramarathons and directed over 110 events. I have directed more trail races in Colorado, and the 2nd most ultramarathons Nationally, than anyone else in history.
• Education: B.S. in Outdoor Education (UNH), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), RRCA Professional Race Director, and Viristar Risk Management certified.
• Innovation: I founded the world’s first 200-mile ultra in 2008 and helped establish Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) in North America as an original founder of the Peak Death Race.

Why I Do This: The HPRS Philosophy

I grew up as a “Mere Mortal”—the runner in the mid-to-back of the pack who understands that the struggle at hour 30 is just as valid (and often more transformative) as the struggle at hour 15. HPRS exists because the “corporate” version of this sport has forgotten that.

1. Transcendentalism & Suffering: I believe high-altitude suffering is a tool for self-actualization. When you are at your lowest point on a mountain, you aren’t just running a race; you are stripping away the “mask” society forced you to wear. You are finding the spirit within.

2. Radical Inclusion: If you have a pair of shoes and the grit to move, you belong here. I fiercely reject the elitism that prioritizes podiums over people. At HPRS, there are no prize purses and no age-group awards. We celebrate the “DFL” (Dead F*cking Last) with the same intensity as the front-runner.

3. Professional Stewardship: I am blunt because I care about your safety. My “Rules of the Runner” aren’t arbitrary; they are the high-level professional standards required to keep this sport sustainable and our permits secure. I lead with my credentials because in the wilderness, “good intentions” don’t save lives, risk management does.

The “Sharp Edges”

I have been called too intense, too blunt, and too angry. I own that. I am a neurodivergent leader who uses bottom-up logic. I don’t use “polite fluff” because it obscures the truth. If I see corporate negligence or “greedy RDs” harming the community, I will call it out.

I’ve made mistakes—near misses at Cuchara and Silverheels taught me that personal accountability is the only currency that matters on the trail. I am a work in progress, just like you.

Join the Tribe

HPRS is for the runners who want to be part of a community that lifts a shovel for trail work and stands beside one another in the dark. We are “Runners Helping Runners.”

If you’re looking for a shiny medal and a corporate pat on the back, there are plenty of other races for you. If you’re looking to find out what you’re actually made of, to embrace the adversity and find the “Together,” then welcome home.

Every mile I’ve run, every certification I’ve earned, and every trail I’ve built feed into a single mission: To guide people not toward a finish line, but toward something far more meaningful… their potential.

For Us All,

John Lacroix

Race Director, HPRS