The 2025 USATF 100 Mile Road Championships took an unexpected turn when post-race scrutiny led to the disqualification of Rajpaul Pannu, the initial winner.
The review confirmed that he had competed in shoes exceeding the allowable stack height limit, shifting the official results and crowning Cody Poskin as the new champion.

Who is Rajpaul Pannu?
Rajpaul Pannu has established himself as a consistent and competitive ultrarunner in recent years.
A former collegiate standout at Saint Mary’s College of California, where he set multiple school records, Pannu transitioned to marathons and ultras with impressive results.
In 2019 Pannu qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with a respectable 2:17:06 debut marathon at the California International Marathon (CIM).
Since then, he’s become a notable runner in the ultra scene.
He finished second at the 2021 JFK 50 Mile, placed third at the 2022 USATF 100K Road Championships, and took the 100-mile national title at the 2024 Jackpot Ultra Running Festival.

What’s the Deal With His Shoes?
The controversy revolves around the HOKA Skyward X, a max-cushion road shoe featuring a thick midsole designed for comfort and energy return.
While it’s marketed as a high-performance everyday trainer, the Skyward X falls outside USATF competition regulations because of its 48mm heel stack height—8mm over the legal limit for road racing.
Under USATF Rule 143 Section 3(i), which aligns with World Athletics guidelines, racing shoes, or better known as super shoes, cannot exceed 40mm in stack height to ensure a level playing field.

How Did This Happen?
Pannu crossed the finish line first at the 2025 Jackpot 100 Mile Road Championships, but officials conducted a post-race review—standard for national championship events. When it was confirmed that his shoes exceeded the legal limit, the rules required that he be disqualified.
As a result, Cody Poskin was officially named the 2025 USATF 100-Mile Road Champion. Nathan Brown and Braden Roggow moved up to second and third place, respectively.
Race organizers acknowledged that this was an unfortunate situation but emphasized the importance of upholding competition rules.
In an Instagram post, Aravaipa Running, the race organizer, released the following statement:
“USATF 100 Mile Road Championships Update
Following the conclusion of the 2025 Jackpot 100 Mile Road Championships, a post-race review has confirmed that the first-place finisher (Rajpaul Pannu) competed in shoes that exceed the maximum allowable stack height of 40mm, as per USATF Rule 143 Section 3. (i), which governs the thickness of the sole at national road championship events.
This determination was made based on the HOKA Skyward X specifications, which list the stack height at 48mm in the heel & 43mm in the forefoot, exceeding the regulatory limit.
Per USATF competition rules, the official result must be adjusted accordingly. The revised podium placements are as follows:
Cody Poskin is now the official 2025 USATF 100 Mile Road Champion.
Nathan Brown moves up to 2nd place & Braden Roggow is 3rd Place
We recognize that this is an unfortunate situation, and we acknowledge Rajpaul’s incredible performance. However, as a USATF National Championship event, we are committed to upholding the standards set forth in the rulebook to ensure fair and consistent competition for all athletes.
We appreciate the understanding of the running community as we implement this rule, and we remain dedicated to providing a competitive and transparent racing environment.”