Singletrack

45m ago

Our annual Ultrarunning Year in Review is here! I'm joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to break down everything that defined the sport this year: the performances that reshaped the hierarchy, the storylines that sparked debate, and the trends that may permanently change how ultrarunning operates heading into 2026. Topics include: The biggest ultrarunning storylines of 2025 Breakout performances and unsung heroes The most dramatic races and moments of the year Comeback athletes and rookie standouts Surprising results that rewrote expectations The rise of agents, Substack, and athlete media Brand wins, sponsorship shifts, and product moments What 2025 tells us about the future of the sport Thanks for tuning in! As always, this conversation is subjective, North American ultra-biased, and built for debate - so we want to hear from you. What did we get right - and what did we miss? What moments defined 2025 for you? Partners: Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made ( https://nordarun.com/ ) Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack) Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order ( https://livemomentous.com/ ) deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order ( https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20 ) Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains ( https://raideresearch.com/ ) Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website ( bit.ly/3JVNIbL ) to get 30% off your purchase. Links: Follow Leah on Instagram , Strava , Twitter Follow Brett on Instagram , Strava , Youtube Follow Finn on Instagram , Strava , Youtube Support the show

4d ago

Big news from Singletrack and Massif Running — we are the new owners and race directors of the Antelope Island Buffalo Run. Sign up here . One of Utah’s most iconic trail races, the Buffalo Run has been a cornerstone of the Wasatch trail running community for nearly 20 years. Founded by longtime race director Jim Skaggs, the event has always been about more than racing — it’s been a spring running party, a reunion, and a race that welcomes everyone from first-timers to lifelong ultrarunners. In this episode, Finn Melanson is joined by Singletrack producer Scott Hickenlooper to share: * Why Singletrack/Massif Running decided to take over the Buffalo Run * What will stay the same — and what will evolve — under new ownership * The history and legacy of the event on Antelope Island * Course details, races distances, and why this is one of the fastest and most unique trail races in the Mountain West * How this fits into Singletrack’s long-term vision for trail running in Utah Registration is officially open for 2026 Antelope Island Buffalo Run! Sign up here . Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack) Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase. Support the show

6d ago

Scott Frey of Cerebral Performance joins the show for a deep dive into the next frontier of athletic performance. Scott believes the biggest breakthroughs of the coming decade won’t come from physiology alone, but from the brain and psychological sciences - and that belief anchors this conversation. Partners: Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made ( https://nordarun.com/ ) Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack) Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order ( https://livemomentous.com/ ) deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order ( https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20 ) Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains ( https://raideresearch.com/ ) Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website ( bit.ly/3JVNIbL ) to get 30% off your purchase. Additional Links: Cerebral Performance Follow Finn on Instagram , Strava , Twitter , Youtube , and Patreon Support the show

Dec 7

Nick Thompson joins the show to talk about use cases for AI in ultra-trail running, the concept of technology doping, urban design for run commuting, his new book The Running Ground, and some of his fairly low-key favorite races in the sport -including the Escarpment, the Twisted Branch 100K, and more. Chapters: 02:00 The Intersection of AI and Ultra Running 05:10 Exploring the Role of Technology in Training 08:12 The Future of Coaching in the Age of AI 10:59 Urban Design and Run Commuting 14:08 The Impact of Analytics on Sports 20:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Running 31:44 The Complexity of Commitment in Sports 37:11 The Luddite Perspective on Modernity 38:55 Sketches of Meaningful Lives 43:12 Post-Traumatic Growth and Resilience 45:54 Ambition vs. Spiritual Awakening 53:32 Exploring Off-the-Beaten-Path Races 57:42 Influencing Public Figures in Ultra Running Partners: Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made ( https://nordarun.com/ ) Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack) Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order ( https://livemomentous.com/ ) deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order ( https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20 ) Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains ( https://raideresearch.com/ ) Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website ( bit.ly/3JVNIbL ) to get 30% off your purchase. Additional Links: Follow Nick on LinkedIn , The Running Ground Follow Finn on Instagram , Strava , Twitter , Youtube , and Patreon Support the show

Nov 25

Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt return to the show to discuss the advent of the "Vertical" Backyard Ultra and recap the results at Ultra Trail Cape Town and the JFK 50, which took place this past weekend. Partners: Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made ( https://nordarun.com/ ) Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order ( https://livemomentous.com/ ) deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order ( https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20 ) Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains ( https://raideresearch.com/ ) Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website ( bit.ly/3JVNIbL ) to get 30% off your purchase. Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website ( https://www.naak.com/ ) to get 15% off your purchase. Additional Links: Mount Ascutney Vertical Backyard , Calibre Follow Jeff on Instagram , Strava , Youtube Follow Brett on Instagram , Strava , Youtube , and Coaching Follow Finn on Instagram , Strava , Twitter , Youtube , and Patreon Support the show

Nov 21

First up, Tim Tollefson returns to the show. In some ways, trail running is still having its “What Are We Even Doing?” moment. Through that lens, we take a look at the UTMB era, the rise of pro circuits, what the pros care about, and what happens when a grassroots sport takes bigger steps towards big-time structure. After that, I'm joined by Alyssa Clark for a roundup of trail running business news and ideation. Enjoy! Partners: Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made ( https://nordarun.com/ ) Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order ( https://livemomentous.com/ ) deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order ( https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20 ) Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains ( https://raideresearch.com/ ) Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website ( bit.ly/3JVNIbL ) to get 30% off your purchase. Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website ( https://www.naak.com/ ) to get 15% off your purchase. Additional Links: Follow Tim on Instagram , Strava , Mammoth Trail Fest Follow Alyssa on Instagram , Strava , Website Follow Finn on Instagram , Strava , Youtube Support the show

Nov 7

Jim Walmsley returns to the Singletrack Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation. We walk down memory lane, reflect on the World Championships, dig into his insights from Western States and UTMB, riff on his idea for a “Black Shorts Series,” and explore his training theories for success in the constantly evolving world of ultra-trail running. Partners: Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made ( https://nordarun.com/ ) Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order ( https://livemomentous.com/ ) deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order ( https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20 ) Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains ( https://raideresearch.com/ ) Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website ( bit.ly/3JVNIbL ) to get 30% off your purchase. Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website ( https://www.naak.com/ ) to get 15% off your purchase. Additional Links: Follow Jim on Instagram , Strava Follow Finn on Instagram , Strava , Youtube Support the show

Nov 3

Will Murray joins the Singletrack Podcast fresh off his dominant, course-record victory at the 2025 Javelina Jundred. Partners: Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made ( https://nordarun.com/ ) Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order ( https://livemomentous.com/ ) deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order ( https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20 ) Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains ( https://raideresearch.com/ ) Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website ( bit.ly/3JVNIbL ) to get 30% off your purchase. Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website ( https://www.naak.com/ ) to get 15% off your purchase. Additional Links: Follow Will on Strava Follow Finn on Instagram , Strava , Youtube Support the show