More Than Miles: The Active Joe Selects Stuart Chutter for the 2026 Western States 100

December 17, 2025

The Saskatchewan farmer and ultraunner embodies The Active Joe's commitment to community, accessibility and environmental responsibility.

Frisco, Texas (December 17, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — Entering its 12^th consecutive year as a sponsor of the Western States Endurance Run, The Active Joe has selected Saskatchewan farmer and ultrarunner Stuart Chutter as its sponsored athlete for the 2026 race, honoring a runner whose values closely align with the organization’s commitment to community, inclusivity and environmental stewardship.

The Western States Endurance Run is the oldest 100-mile trail race in the United States, traversing the historic Western States Trail from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California. The event is organized by the nonprofit Western States Endurance Run Foundation, which sets standards for 100-mile endurance events, promotes trail stewardship through maintenance and support of the Western States Trail, and supports medical research related to ultrarunning.

The Active Joe owner Libby Jones first attended and volunteered at the race in 2012 and was inspired by both the event and the foundation’s mission. A race director herself, Jones was drawn to the organization’s commitment to community, environmental responsibility and the long-term sustainability of trail running.

As part of its sponsorship, The Active Joe selects one athlete each year from runners who have qualified and applied through the Western States lottery process. The selected athlete receives an automatic entry into the race. Chutter was chosen from a large pool of qualified applicants for the 2026 edition.

Chutter began running during the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of completing his first marathon virtually. He collapsed 22 miles into that attempt and required assistance to finish the day. Since then, he has embraced consistency in training and now regularly runs marathon distances as long runs.

Over the past three years, Chutter has completed multiple ultradistance events, including three finishes at the Crazy Mountain 100, FatDog 120, Divide 200 (twice), Southern States 200 and the Arizona Monster 300, which he completed earlier this year.

In addition to running, Chutter has worked as a farmer for 15 years and is deeply committed to soil health and regenerative agriculture. Through long-term practices focused on environmental sustainability, his farm has achieved net carbon sequestration of approximately 1,865 metric tons per year over a five-year period, confirmed through laboratory-based soil analysis. His work demonstrates the potential role of agriculture and grasslands in environmental solutions.

Chutter has been an active supporter of The Active Joe for the past two years and ran the Dinosaur Valley 100 in 2024. He regularly volunteers at local races and contributes to trail maintenance efforts throughout Saskatchewan. He also donates homemade jam for aid-station PB&J sandwiches at the Crazy Mountain 100, using berries grown on his farm and honey sourced from a neighboring producer.

While an accomplished ultrarunner, Chutter represents The Active Joe’s emphasis on accessibility and community. He identifies as a mid-pack runner, has experienced both finishes and non-finishes, and works with a strength and mindset coach. His primary goal for 2026 is to arrive at the Western States starting line healthy and prepared.

“I am thrilled and grateful to run Western States with The Active Joe,” Chutter said. “The values they champion and the community they have built are what I will run my heart out for. To run Western States is a dream, and to do it with a community that believes in me is incredibly meaningful.”

Jones said the selection process is both challenging and rewarding.

“One of the hardest things I do each year is choose someone to receive this coveted entry,” Jones said. “Stuart is not only an accomplished runner, but he lives his life aligned with the values at the core of The Active Joe, including community, inclusivity and environmental responsibility. I know he will make a positive impact far beyond those 100.2 miles.”

The Active Joe was founded in 2008 with the mission of providing running outreach to the local community. The organization produces 3 trail events, including a 100 mile running event, the Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run 100 Mile, 100K, 50K, 25K, and 5 Mile each fall. Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run is a Western States qualifier in both the 100K and 100 mile distances. The Active Joe produced the first organized 100-mile trail race in North Texas. The company also has 2 road events and between road and trail, the company helps thousands of participants achieve their goals each year. All events are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. Owner Libby Jones has been an active member of the leadership of the Dallas-Fort Worth running community for many years and has many ultramarathon finishes herself. For more information go to www.TheActiveJoe.com.

Media contact:

Libby Jones
libby@theactivejoe.com