About
Jacob Banta is an American trail runner and photographer from Mill Valley, California, who has built a career remarkable for its dual ambition on both sides of the camera lens. A native of Colorado, he grew up competing in motocross racing before transitioning to trail running and developing into an elite ultra-distance athlete while simultaneously building a reputation as one of the sport's most respected photographers and videographers. His media work has been featured widely in trail running publications including iRunFar, where he has documented major races including the Canyons by UTMB. As a competitor, he earned his Golden Ticket to the 2026 Western States 100 with a second-place finish at the Tarawera by UTMB 102k in February 2026. An Altra-sponsored athlete and GU Energy Labs ambassador, Banta's stated mission is to share the transformative power of endurance sport — the landscapes, the communities, and the inner challenge — with as wide an audience as possible through his creative work.
Notable Wins
- — Tarawera by UTMB 102k 2nd 2026
Upcoming Races
27 Jun 2026
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