Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes! We are back with cohost Katie Schide for another edition of Eurotrack this time to provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at the 2024 Transgrancanaria 126K.

 Timestamps:(0:34) - general thoughts about Transgrancanaria(9:22) - course analysis for Transgrancanaria(26:54) - race stats from Aid Station Fireball(33:31) - women's field analysis, storylines, predictions(44:15) - men's field analysis, storylines, predictions
Sponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).
Links:Transgrancanaria LivestreamFollow Aid Station Fireball on TwitterFollow Katie on Instagram, Strava, North FaceFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the Show.

Eurotrack #4 | Transgrancanaria Preview

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

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Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes! Kilian Jornet joins the Singletrack Podcast to talk about how mountain sports have evolved - with motivations shifting from scientific exploration to nationalism to self-centeredness in modern times, how the concept of the impossible is debated in mountaineering and trail running - with some questioning the impact of technological advancements, the idea of reducing consumption and rethinking business models to help minimize the outdoor industry’s footprint, and his involvement working to secure a better relationship between pro athletes and race organizations like UTMB.

Timestamps:00:00 The Evolution of Motivations in Mountain Sports04:08 The Influence of Society and Culture on Athletes07:02 The Debate on the Concept of the Impossible13:56 Contrasting Philosophical Aspects of Mountaineering and Trail Running50:13 The Positive Role of Competition56:22 The Importance of the Pro Trail Runners Association, UTMB Observations
Sponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Links:Follow Kiilian on Instagram, Strava, Website, NnormalFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the Show.

Kilian Jornet | History of Alpinism, PTRA + UTMB Thoughts, Competitive Longevity

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes! Candice Burt is the Founder of Destination Trail, a trail running events company that puts on popular races like the Moab 240, Tahoe 200, and Bigfoot 200.

Timestamps:1:37 - Arizona Trail, interest in long trail FKT scene, remarking on Heather Anderson’s recent unsupported FKT23:15 - athlete sponsorship discussion, working with brands, content angles on the social platforms, spring energy comments45:30 - being a female business owner in the ultra community, evolution of the 200 mile scene, recruiting influencers to events
Sponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.
Links:Follow Candice on Instagram, Destination Trail Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube"The Last American Man" by Elizabeth GilbertSupport the Show.

Candice Burt | 200 Mile Racing Scene, Athlete Sponsorship Models, Long Distance FKTs

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes! Michael Versteeg joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation about ultrarunning. 
 Timestamps:(0:52) - the story behind 2021 Cocodona 250 race report, Arizona trail running ambassadorship, countercultural tendencies(15:11) - more Cocodona 250 discussion - the direction the race is headed in, popularity, what makes it special, 2024 experience racing the likes of Harry, Jeff Browning, Arlen, Joe McConaughy, etc(34:26) - discussion about the sustainability of a competitive mindset and whether it interferes with mental health(59:57) - Saddles 100, philosophy about ultrarunning events, sponsorship, etc(94:26) - overall philosophy of living and building(141:20) - experience at the 2015 Ultramarathon Caballo Blanco (152:18) - experience at the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic(170:44) - inspiration from John Wesley Powell(180:09) - takeaways from the conversation, race directing ideas(200:01) - influence of parenthood
 Sponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Links:Follow Michael on Instagram, Saddles 100, Blog, Run Steep Get HighFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeKetone Study
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Support the Show.

Michael Versteeg | Reflections On The Soul Of Ultrarunning

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes! Caley Fretz is the Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Escape Collective, a member-funded independent cycling media company.  As Caley says in his LinkedIn bio, he's “used everything learned over a decade in journalism to build a more sustainable media company”. And that’s what we discuss in this episode - whether his experiences in the cycling space translate over to what current operations and the future of media look like in the trail running world. 

If you’re interested in the business of sports and have enjoyed our conversations on these topics in the past, you’ll enjoy this one too.

Timestamps:(0:58) - Escape Collective backstory, Caley's sports journalism background(10:05) - explaining how we got to the current state of endurance sports media(23:38) - pros and cons of owned versus rented media channels(33:03) - pros and cons of alignment with fans versus versus partners, advertisers(39:11) - what happens next for the middle of the media market(43:03) - replicating parts of the Athletic business model(53:38) - future of endurance sports media, possible business models
Sponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.
 Links:Follow Caley on LinkedInEmail Caley (editor@escapecollective.com)Escape CollectiveEscape Collective Transparency ReportKetone StudyFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the Show.

Caley Fretz | Is This An Extinction-Level Moment For Endurance Sports Journalism?

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes! This episode is dedicated to my crew: Julia Campanelli, Sherman, Ned Melanson, Jeremiah Mullane, Joey Campanelli, Caleb Olson, Morgan Olson, and Scott Hickenlooper. Without you all, this wouldn't have been possible. I'm forever grateful. - Finn

 

Timestamps: 02:02 - The Physical and Mental Challenges of a 200-Mile Race09:06 - The Importance of Crew Support and Nutrition23:29 - Overcoming Isolation and Low Moments in the Race33:42 - Strategic Use of Live Tracker and Pacers41:31 - Celebrating Checkpoints Instead of Fixating on the Finish Line52:31 - The Evolving Competitiveness of 200-Mile Races57:00 - Streamlined and Minimalist Gear Choices in the Future01:26:35 - The Promising Future of The Cocodona 250
 Sponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Gorewear - use code Singletrack30 at checkout on their website (https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/home) to get 30% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.

 Links:Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the Show.

Eurotrack #4 | Transgrancanaria Preview

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