From Addiction to 200 Milers: Wes Plate on Sobriety, Running Obsession, and Becoming a Mid-Pack Legend

What does it really mean to be an everyday ultra runner?

In this episode of the Everyday Ultra Podcast, I sit down with Wes Plate—ultrarunner, YouTube creator, race director of the Copper Kings 100, and the man behind the name Mid-Pack Elite.

Wes has completed over 60 ultramarathons, including Cocodona 250 all five years, the Triple Crown of 200s, and the Arizona Monster 300 → Cocodona double—a feat only a handful of runners have ever attempted. But what makes Wes truly special isn’t just the miles… it’s the journey behind them.

We dive deep into Wes’s story of overcoming alcohol addiction, how obsession can be both destructive and transformative, and why many ultrarunners are wired the way they are. Wes opens up about identity, self-doubt, validation, and how ultrarunning became a healthier outlet for the same drive that once nearly destroyed his life.

We also talk about:

• What it means to be a mid-pack elite

• Lessons ultramarathons teach us about life, suffering, and perspective

• Why Cocodona fundamentally changed how Wes sees himself

• The realities of racing (and directing) 100–300 mile events

• Building the Copper Kings 100 from a personal passion project into a sold-out race

• Why the middle and back of the pack are the true heartbeat of ultrarunning

• What’s next for Wes—including Vol State and stepping back from Cocodona (for now)

This is a powerful, honest conversation about identity, resilience, addiction recovery, community, and purpose—and why ultrarunning is about becoming a better human, not just a faster one.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing something deeper through running… this one’s for you.

SHOW LINKS:

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Wes's links to YouTube, website, social profiles: https://www.wesplate.com/links

About the Copper Kings 100: https://www.onwardendurance.com/copper-kings-100