Singletrack

40 Episodes
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By: Finn Melanson

Singletrack is a podcast covering the professional trail and ultrarunning scene.

Keep the Signal: Will Murray on Winning Javelina and Mastering the Mindset Game
#415
Today at 2:00 AM

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 a...


David Roche: The Future of Ultrarunning Is Here — and It’s Faster Than We Think
#414
Last Saturday at 10:00 AM

David Roche returns to the Singletrack Podcast fresh off his 12:18, second-place performance at the Javelina Jundred.

In addition to the race report, David dives into how high-carb fueling, recovery science, and fearless pacing are rewriting what’s possible in trail and ultrarunning, why overtraining and under-fueling are essentially the same thing, how athletes like Will Murray, Canyon Woodward, and Tara Dower are redefining performance ceilings, and what the next five years of the sport might look like.

Beyond the science, David opens up about aging in the sport, balancing family life with competition, and rediscovering jo...


Tara Dower on Breaking the Javelina Jundred Course Record + Her Return to Western States
#413
10/27/2025

After setting a course record at 2025 Javelina Jundred, Tara Dower joins the Singletrack Podcast to talk about the strategy behind perhaps her biggest win yet — and how she’s using it to fuel a Western States comeback in 2026.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.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...


FASTEST JAVELINA JUNDRED EVER (Our Reactions)
#412
10/27/2025

Finn Melanson and Brett Hornig share their observations from all the racing action at yesterday’s Javelina Jundred. They discuss Tara Dower’s massive course-record performance, how all three men’s podium finishers — Will Murray, David Roche, and Canyon Woodward — shattered the previous marks, and what it all means for the Western States 100 Golden Ticket Series. They also analyze this year’s livestream numbers, highlight their favorite racing moments, and explore how the 2025 edition of Javelina might redefine what’s possible on the desert course.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest...


2025 Javelina Jundred Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions
#411
10/22/2025

Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at this year’s Javelina Jundred.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.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.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.co...


$50K to $500K? The New Reality of Pro Trail Running Sponsorships
#410
10/21/2025

Trail running is growing fast — but is the money for athlete deals keeping up? In this episode, athlete agent Kelly Newlon returns to the show to unpack the latest economics behind athlete-brand partnerships in 2025. From $10K rookie contracts to six-figure base deals, Kelly breaks down who’s getting paid, why it’s finally improving for pros, and which brands and races hold the most weight in negotiations.

We cover:

How athlete compensation has shifted in the last two yearsWhat brands actually value — and why some athletes still get left outThe rise of non-endemic deals (cars, banks, healthca...


Long Run Archives #31 | Recapping World Champs + THE MAMMOTH
#409
10/02/2025

Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt return to the show, sharing insights from the World Trail Championships in Canfranc, highlights from the inaugural year at The Mammoth, and their favorite internet finds of the week.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.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.Raide...


Jeff Garmire Breaks Appalachian Trail FKT, Beats Joe McConaughy’s Legendary Record
#408
09/29/2025

Earlier this month, Jeff Garmire set a new self-supported fastest known time (FKT) on the Appalachian Trail: 45 days, 8 hours, 37 minutes. He shaved more than three hours off Joe McConaughy’s 2017 mark—long regarded as one of the most impressive endurance feats in ultrarunning.

With that context, I was excited to have Jeff on the podcast to unpack the experience. We cover the essentials—gear, logistics, nutrition, training—but also go deeper. Jeff shares his background and motivations, and we explore the financial and sponsorship side of attempting something that requires stepping away from the rest of your life for...


Long Run Archives #30 | UTMB Recap, Trail Running Agents, FKT Scene Updates
#407
09/06/2025

In this edition of the Long Run Archives, we talk about the rise of agents in ultra-trail running, our takeaways from UTMB week, the increasing allure of the fastest known time scene, our dream co-hosts on this show, and some cool tech that has arrived at Singletrack HQ (spoiler alert: Tymewear).


Chapters

00:00 The Role of Agents in Athletics20:40 The Mahoosuc Traverse, personal projects vs racing38:38 UTMB Highlights and Stats01:07:58 The Appalachian Trail 01:14:04 Influences and Inspirations in Ultra Running

Partners:

Norda - check out t...


Tom Evans | 2025 UTMB Champion (Interview)
#406
09/05/2025

Tom Evans joins the show fresh off his victory at the 2025 UTMB.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website 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.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)


Additional Links:

Follow Finn on...


Ruth Croft | 2025 UTMB Champion (Interview)
#405
08/31/2025

Ruth Croft joins the show fresh off her victory at the 2025 UTMB. With this win, she completed the trifecta of finals victories (adding to her titles at CCC and OCC). In this conversation, we briefly reflect on the race but also take some time to explore her background and the transformative decisions she’s made to reach this moment.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak...


Hillary Gerardi on Life in Chamonix, Skyrunning, and the Art of Risk in the Mountains
#404
08/27/2025

Hillary Gerardi joins us in our Chamonix studio during UTMB week for a wide-ranging conversation. We talk about her skyrunning career, setting a FKT on Mont Blanc, the modern history of the Chamonix valley, differences between French and American culture, and the risks, uncertainties, and small windows of opportunity that define some of her most memorable mountain projects.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your...


Anton Krupicka Talks UTMB, Skyrunning, and Backyard Projects
#403
08/27/2025

Anton Krupicka returns to the show in person at our Chamonix studio, where we dive into his history with UTMB, his new role at La Sportiva, skyrunning, the Grand Teton, and the increasing appeal of backyard endurance projects.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website 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...


Michael Versteeg | Reflections On The Soul Of Ultrarunning, Pt 2 (UTMB Edition)
#402
08/26/2025

Michael Versteeg is racing UTMB on Friday. We hosted him for a long-form conversation at our Chamonix studio and somehow didn’t spend much time talking about that fact at all. Instead, we covered topics like public lands, the Barkley Marathons, building houses, his deep connection to Cocodona, following curiosity wherever it leads, and the importance of checking obsession. Enjoy!


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% of...


Abby Hall Interview (2025 UTMB Week)
08/25/2025

Fresh off a transformative victory at Western States earlier this summer, Abby Hall returns to the show ahead of UTMB. We discuss her decision to take on the sport's de facto 100-mile world championship, the afterglow winning one of ultrarunning's biggest races, her relentless pursuit of excellence at the sharp end of competition, and - of course - the importance of curating the perfect playlist for the journey around the rooftop of Europe.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun...


Lucy Bartholomew Interview (2025 UTMB Week)
#402
08/25/2025

Lucy Bartholomew has been a model of consistency at UTMB in recent years, steadily raising her game as women’s ultrarunning enters a new era of performance. In this conversation, we cover a wide range of topics—from one of the most exciting 100-milers in her backyard (the GPT100), to her experience crewing Ryan Sandes at the Cocodona 250, to Salomon’s High Performance System, and her own process for chasing the next level in Chamonix.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewe...


Max Jolliffe Interview (2025 UTMB Week)
#401
08/25/2025

Max Jolliffe is in Chamonix—and that was all the excuse we needed to sit down for a chat at our Chamonix studio. In this conversation, we reflect on our shared experiences at the Cocodona 250, look ahead to our reunion at The Mammoth next month, talk about playing the content game, and discuss the outlook for a professional career in ultrarunning.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to ge...


Katie Schide Interview (2025 UTMB Week)
#400
08/24/2025

For the first time since 2017, Katie Schide will not be racing of the UTMB World Series final events. Instead, she's set to represent Team USA at the Long Trail World Championships in Canfranc, Spain next month. It felt like the perfect moment to catch up. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about her recent results at Hardrock and Sierre-Zinal, her history with stage racing, the prospect of elite-only race fields, her career progression, and the unique allure of Vermont's Long Trail. 


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most s...


Ben Dhiman Interview (2025 UTMB Week)
#399
08/23/2025

Ben Dhiman returns to the show ahead of ultra-trail running's de facto 100 mile championship, Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc (UTMB). Fresh off a course record at Lavredo and an impressive multi-year stretch in the sport, he arrives in Chamonix as one of the most intriguing contenders in the field. In this conversation, we dive into his nomadic background, training philosophy, and whether his third attempt at UTMB will finally be the breakthrough on the sport's biggest stage.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever...


Tom Evans Interview (2025 UTMB Week)
#398
08/22/2025

Tom Evans returns to the show for a wide-ranging conversation on his return to Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc (UTMB), the joys of fatherhood, his favorite events on the UK trail running circuit, and the long-term development of ultrarunning as a professional sport. 


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to g...


Dani Moreno Interview (2025 UTMB Week)
#397
08/22/2025

Dani Moreno returns to the show ahead of the 2025 CCC, taking place next Friday in Chamonix, France. We discuss her philosophy of boldness, the landmark performances that could push the sport forward, and the mentality required to line up at high-caliber races in the UTMB World Series.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website...


Wild Race Experiments + Players' Tribune for Pro Ultrarunning?
#396
08/03/2025

In this clip from the latest edition of the Long Run Archives on the Singletrack Podcast, Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Jeff Colt discuss new angles on races like Western States and Hardrock, "course record pace", and a new media opportunity in the works for pro ultrarunners.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website...


Drafting The Ultrarunning Dream Team
#395
08/01/2025

In this clip from the latest edition of the Long Run Archives on the Singletrack Podcast, Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Jeff Colt discuss a fascinating hypothetical scenario: If you were starting a brand-new ultrarunning company (whether shoes, gear, nutrition, or anything else), and every athlete in the market was a free agent, which four would you prioritize adding to your team, and why? 

The trio explores the spectrum from pure performance athletes to influential figures—and the hybrids who bridge both worlds—as they build their dream rosters featuring familiar names such as Courtney Dauwalter, Katie Schid...


Andrew Drummond | White Mountains Direttissima FKT
07/19/2025

Andrew Drummond returns to the Singletrack Podcast, this time to recount his latest adventure: setting a Fastest Known Time on the White Mountains Direttissima, one of New England's iconic multi-day routes. 

We explore the aesthetics of the route, what inspired him to return after his previous attempts in 2016 and 2024, his strategies around gear, nutrition, rest, and the execution that led to his new record. 

Additionally, we discuss the New England trail running scene, John Kelly's recent Appalachian Trail activity, the stylistic differences between supported and unsupported FKTs, and the segment challenges sponsored by Run The Wh...


Western States in Transition? What’s Next for the Iconic 100-Miler (Topher Gaylord Interview)
#394
07/18/2025

Topher Gaylord is the newly appointed President of the Western States Endurance Run—arguably the most iconic ultramarathon in the world. A seven-time WSER finisher, Topher brings decades of experience in global outdoor industry leadership and a deep well of insight from more than 75 ultramarathons run across the globe.

In this conversation, we discuss:


– The direction he wants to steer Western States in
– His views on the Golden Ticket Series and how it’s evolving
– How he processed recent controversies with UTMB
– The tension between commercialization and community in trail running
– What e...


Scott Jurek on Racing, Retirement, and What Comes Next
#393
07/09/2025

In this live pre-race episode of the Singletrack Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Scott Jurek back to the show—recorded in-person from our studio in Olympic Valley, CA, just days before the 2025 Western States 100.

For many, Scott needs no introduction. A seven-time winner of Western States, bestselling author, and true icon of the sport, his impact on trail and ultrarunning is undeniable. But this conversation goes far beyond race results and podiums.

We explore the evolution of the Western States 100, how the atmosphere, competition, and culture of the race have changed since his last win...


Jim Walmsley Returns to Talk Western States, Course Records, and the Next Era
#392
07/02/2025

Jim Walmsley returns to the Singletrack Podcast for a live, in-person conversation from our Olympic Valley, CA studio during Western States week—only this time, he’s not lining up to race.

In this exclusive interview, Jim opens up about his decision to bow out of the 2025 Western States 100, offering insight into what went into that choice and where his mind and body are at as one of the most iconic runners in the sport. Whether it’s lingering fatigue, long-term goals, or a strategic reset, Jim shares what fans need to know.

We also talk a...


Abby Hall | 2025 Western States 100 Champion (Interview)
#390
07/01/2025

Abby Hall joins the Singletrack Podcast crew in our Auburn, CA, studio to recap her victory at the 2025 Western States 100. 

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)


A...


Caleb Olson | 2025 Western States 100 Champion (Interview)
#391
07/01/2025

Caleb Olson joins the Singletrack Podcast crew in our Auburn, CA, studio to recap his victory at the 2025 Western States 100. 

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)


A...


Des Linden: Is Her Trail Running Chapter Just Beginning?
#389
06/27/2025

Des Linden joins us live in Olympic Valley the week before the 2025 Western States 100 for a wide-ranging conversation about her deepening relationship with the trail and ultrarunning scene.

In this episode, we dig into Des's recent adventures off-road — from training with Ruth Croft in New Zealand, to participating in the Western States Training Camp last month, to her pacing duties this year for Joe McConaughy. With each step into the trail world, Des seems to be signaling that this chapter of her career is just getting started.

We talk about whether Des envisions a full pi...


Hayden Hawks on the Hot Seat / Western States Special (Long Run Archives #28)
#388
06/26/2025

We’re live in Olympic Valley, CA for a special Western States Week edition of Long Run Archives, with pro trail runner Hayden Hawks joining regular co-hosts Brett Hornig, Jeff Colt, and Finn Melanson in the Singletrack Podcast studio for a wide-ranging, spirited conversation on the state of trail and ultrarunning, as well as Hayden's status in the sport.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your pu...


Is This Marianne Hogan’s Year to Win Western States?
#387
06/26/2025

Marianne Hogan is one of the fiercest and most resilient athletes in the world of ultra-trail running. With podium finishes at both Western States and UTMB, she’s already proven she can perform on the sport’s biggest stages. But that elusive win — that signature victory — still hangs just out of reach.

Live from our Olympic Valley studio in the week leading up to the 2025 Western States 100, Marianne sits down to talk about her ongoing pursuit of greatness in a sport where comebacks are often part of the path.

In this conversation, we explore what it’s goi...


Abby Hall Is Back at Western States—Against the Odds
#385
06/25/2025

In this special live episode of the Singletrack Podcast, we sit down with Abby Hall in our Olympic Valley studio just days before the 2025 Western States 100. Abby’s path back to the start line of this iconic race is anything but typical—and it’s a story of resilience, determination, and a little bit of fate.

After enduring a traumatic injury in 2023 that sidelined her from the sport she loves, Abby made a courageous return to racing at UTMB last summer before chasing golden tickets across two continents this past spring. We unpack her gritty performances at the Bl...


2025 Western States 100 Women's Field Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions
#386
06/25/2025

Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at this year’s women's field at the Western States 100. With big names like Katie Schide (2024 Champion) and Courtney Dauwalter (2023 Champion) not returning, the fight for the win is wide open. Tune in as we break it all down and get you hyped for race day. 


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to...


Underdog No More? Rod Farvard’s Quest After Nearly Toppling Jim Walmsley
#384
06/24/2025

Rod Farvard joins the Singletrack Podcast live from our Olympic Valley, CA studio during Western States race week to discuss what it really takes to compete at the highest level in trail and ultrarunning—and why he may be the biggest threat to the Western States crown in 2025.

In 2024, Rod turned heads by going toe-to-toe with one of the sport’s greatest athletes, Jim Walmsley, at the Western States 100. His fearless front-running and relentless pace put him on the radar of fans and competitors alike. Now, with another year of focused training, refined systems, and added motivation, Rod...


2025 Western States 100 250 Men's Field Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions
#383
06/24/2025

Note - we had audio issues during parts of this episode. Working to resolve those ahead of our remaining shows this week. Thanks for your patience!

Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, Jeff Colt and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at this year’s Cocodona 250.


Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SI...


Dylan Bowman: Trail Running at a Crossroads?
#381
06/24/2025

Dylan Bowman returns to the Singletrack Podcast for a wide-ranging, in-person conversation from our Olympic Valley, CA studio just days before the 2025 Western States 100.

As the founder of Freetrail and a key figure behind TrailCon, Dylan has spent the last few years shaping the conversation around what trail and ultrarunning can—and should—become. In this episode, we dive deep into the evolution of the sport, how media and storytelling are influencing the culture, and what role platforms like Freetrail play in that transformation.

We also discuss Dylan’s role as a lead broadcaster for the We...


What It Really Takes to Go Pro in Trail Running — with Sally McRae
#382
06/24/2025

Sally McRae joins the Singletrack Podcast live from our Olympic Valley, CA studio in the days leading up to the 2025 Western States 100 for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation.

In this episode, we explore what it really takes to go pro in trail and ultrarunning—beyond the podiums, Strava segments, and sponsorship deals. Sally shares the lesser-told story of building a sustainable career in the sport, from early sacrifices to developing her voice as both an athlete and a creator. As one of the few pro runners who has built a loyal community through content, coaching, and entrepreneurship, Sa...


Western States Buzz: Big Names Out, New Stars In? (Long Run Archives #28)
#380
05/31/2025

Jeff Colt and Mike McMonagle join Finn Melanson on the Singletrack Podcast for another edition of the Long Run Archives. In this episode, the trio reflects on the latest lineup changes at the Western States 100, the current status of Unbreakable 2, the influence of BPN's Backyard Ultra, and the impact of the Wilderness Act.


Timestamps:

(0:00) - Western States 100 Lineup News(32:57) - High Mileage Training Discussion(46:14) - Unbreakable 2 Discussion(70:04) - BPN Backyard Ultra(86:31) - Revisiting Wilderness Act Discussion


Partners:

Norda - check...


Joey Berriatua Explains the Tinman Elite Breakup + What Comes Next (Trail Running?)
#379
05/29/2025

Joey Berriatua joins Finn Melanson on the Singletrack Podcast to reflect on his time with Tinman Elite, share his journey through the professional running scene, and explore why trail running might be his future path.

Related Episodes:

#26 (Sam Parsons | How To Build A Trail Running Team) #289 (Sam Parsons | The Trials and Tribulations of Pro Running

Timestamps:

01:00 Tinman Elite Reflections24:02 Financial Realities of Professional Running46:35 The Importance of Training Environment56:26 Building Community in Professional Running01:08:49 The Role of Media in Running01:14:32 Trail Running Interests, Balancing Steeplechase Goals

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