It would have been understandable if Wayne Ball turned his focus to next year the moment his name was selected in the Dec. 6 lottery for the 2026 Western States Endurance Run. After all, he waited eight years for his chance to participate in trail ultrarunning’s original 100-mile race from Olympic Valley to Auburn, Calif.

Instead of worrying about Western States – there will be plenty of time to do that between now and the June 27-28 race – Ball channeled his excitement into one final race for 2025: Seth’s Fat Ass 50K. Rather than participating as a runner, Ball is the race director for the event, which took place Sunday, Dec. 20, at Forest Park in Springfield, Mass., and was the final ultramarathon of the year in Massachusetts. The timing of the event allowed him to celebrate his lottery success by giving back to his local running community and helping others achieve their goals.

“Directing the race this year definitely felt extra special after being selected in the Western States Endurance Run lottery,” Ball noted. “I did my first 100 back in 2015, and I’ve been trying for quite some time to get into Western. I had 128 tickets, so finally hearing my name called was surreal. WSER represents so much history and community, and I cannot wait to pick the brains of other lucky Western Mass runners who’ve been there as I will need every tip and trick I can get.”

“I always feel grateful to be able to do the things I’ve done but this year felt a little extra special, and I hope that participants could sense this extra excitement and gratitude as I tried to channel that back into Seth’s. Hopefully, my positivity helped everyone who showed up this year. Seth’s is a great way to give back to the running community that’s given so much to me.”

This was the 15th edition of the race. Though runners must complete 10 laps of the paved 5K loop course to earn an official finish, those seeking less mileage are encouraged to take part and complete as many loops as they want. Seventy runners took part this year, and 40 earned 50K finishes – the third-highest tally in event history. Several first-timers took on the course, but the field was packed with familiar faces who’ve made running Seth’s Fat Ass 50K an annual tradition.

“I think what keeps people coming back is the combination of simplicity and community,” Ball explained. “The format takes the pressure off; people can run one lap or all 10. Heck, one year there was someone who ran an extra loop for fun. After they are done running their desired number of loops, they can cheer for friends, volunteer, or just soak in the atmosphere while hanging out at the finish.”

“Having the event in December, around the holidays, also seems to resonate. It is a time when I think people may be craving connection, movement, and something positive to look forward to. I love that over the years it seems to have become less about the mileage and more about showing up for each other and yourself.”

The front of the field saw two familiar faces battle a newcomer for the win. Jason Codispoti, a 20-year-old former football standout at Swampscott High School, sizzled in his ultrarunning debut while being pushed by a pair of Seth’s regulars, seven-time finisher Eric Ciocca, 48, of Hamden, Conn., and 61-year-old Dave Champoux of Florence, Mass. Ultimately, Ciocca’s experience helped him persevere, and he pulled away for his fourth victory at Seth’s and his second-fastest performance on the course, winning in 4:02:31. Ciocca previously won in 2017 (4:04:21), 2019 (3:55:18), and 2021 (4:29:34). He was third overall in 2022, eighth in 2023 and sixth in 2024.

“In talking to Eric, he doesn’t feel that he is a strong trail runner, but he thinks that he runs better on courses that he is familiar with. Seth’s is definitely one of those courses, as he has been there many times,” Ball said. “Not only has he run Seth’s Fat Ass 50K a bunch of times, he has also run the same course as part of the Harrier’s Snowstorm Classic races. Knowing the course inside/out helps him excel, and he knows when and where to push for extra time on the course. Lastly, since he is a local runner, he said that he gets some of his energy from all the familiar faces along the course.”

Codispoti closed out his ultra debut in second place in a speedy 4:05:43, while Champoux finished third for the second straight year in 4:10:53. Justin Kaufmann, 29, of New York, N.Y., was fourth in 4:18:07.

A trio of Seth’s first-timers swept the podium in the female field. Emma Duncan, 24, of Winchester, Mass., entered on a high note with a 3:17 marathon performance at the Beantown Marathon in September. She built upon that effort by earning her first ultramarathon finish – and first ultra victory – by finishing fifth overall and first in the female field in 4:22:55. She was followed by another new ultrarunner, 25-year-old Mia McDonald of Westfield, Mass. The former Westfield State University track and cross country athlete placed eighth overall and was the female runner-up in 4:47:46. Katy Kelly, 57, of Dorchester, Mass., rounded out the podium in third in 5:04:07. Seth’s regular Ericka Emerson, 54, of Belchertown, Mass., was fourth in 5:09:47. It was Emerson’s seventh time completing the race.

For Ball, it was rewarding to see so many people close out the year by achieving a wide range of goals.

“There were a few memorable aspects this year,” he said. “First, there were many different ‘wins’ that happened on the course. Some runners chased big goals; others were out there for their very first 50K; and, some were just happy to get some laps in between family commitments.”

“The second most memorable part that struck me was the mom, son and daughter who came together and finished all 10 laps.”

That family was the Monaghans of Duxbury, Mass. Siblings Gavin Monaghan, 21, and Laura Monaghan, 15, finished together in 5:11:03, while their mother, Jennifer Monaghan, 52, followed in 6:42:31. It was the first ultramarathon for all three family members.

“The daughter and son finished together, and then they hung out cheering on their mom as she made her way toward finishing,” Ball said. “That was pretty cool to see unfold.”