Last WOMAN Standing - BPN Go One More Ultra Competitor Alyssa McClellan

“Trusting my plan while staying present was key to going one more.”

Alyssa McClellan is an East Texas Legend in the Ultra, Trail Running community. In May 2025, she competed in the BPN Go One More Last Man Standing Ultra, running against BPN athlete Lucy Davis and ex-Navy Seal and Founder of the 3o7 Project, Chad Wright. “The ‘Go One More’ mantra inspired me to test my mental and physical endurance in a unique format where every loop was a chance to prove I could keep going,” Alyssa said.

Runners in a Last Man Standing race have one hour to complete a 4.2 mile loop. At the top of every hour runners begin a new loop. If they don’t complete the loop in under an hour, or feel like they can’t go any further, they DNF (Do Not Finish).

A Last Man Standing race isn’t about speed, but mental and physical endurance - something Alyssa knew she’d have to overcome if she wanted to place well. “There were a few tough moments when fatigue hit hard, and I saw strong runners drop, which made me question if I could keep up,” Alyssa notes. What kept her going was her faith in God, her crew, and her plan. “I had a very strong crew that did everything possible to keep me moving! I reminded myself to stick to my own plan, as I’ve learned from past races, and focused on the next loop.”

Alyssa has experience running 100-mile races, like the Sedona Canyons 125 and Habanero 100. Leading up to the race, she focused on long runs, slow runs, and back-to-back efforts. She even incorporated timed loops to mimic the hourly format, so she could get her pacing and recovery down. As for mental training, she depended on self-talk, staying present, and her son’s encouragement: “Be brave momma.”

Her legacy sets a great example for hard-working mothers. “I am just here proving women, especially busy moms can do hard things! If you’re considering taking on something like this go for it. Train hard and just go for it! Have your support system and just believe in yourself! Ultras aren’t about being the fastest; they’re about resilience and showing up.”

During the race, Alyssa faced grueling challenges. “My legs stiffened, and feet ached. Emotionally, it was a rollercoaster: pride in being the last woman standing, mixed with the surreal focus of just making the next loop. Each start line felt like a victory, and the crowd’s energy carried me through.”

Boredom was a major obstacle that caused many runners to doubt their resilience to keep going. Alyssa’s strategy was simple: break each loop into segments, focus on landmarks to stay engaged, and have specific checkpoints to reach at a given time.

“Discipline, not motivation, carried me through when things got tough.”

Now being on the other side of the event, Alyssa hopes to run this race again and even PR. She highlights BPN staff and volunteers, thanking them for the electric energy and outstanding support. “They cheered every single runner on, stayed up every hour just as we did, and made sure everyone was having a great time and things were smooth. It was truly special and something I will never ever forget!”

When asked what she took away from the race, Alyssa quotes, “Each loop taught me that limits are often mental, not physical. In life, like running, I now see challenges as opportunities to go one more. Whether it’s a tough day or a big goal. This race proved I can push beyond what I thought possible.”