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In this episode, Troy Meadows talks with Mathias Eichler, a race director, podcast host, and trail runner. They discuss Mathias' background, his love for running and trails, his involvement in the Trail Running Film Festival, being a race director and owner of Rock Candy Running events, and his podcast, the original Singletrack Pocdcast.

They also talk about the challenges of balancing work, family, and running, and Matthias' goals for 2024. The conversation delves into the grassroots nature of trail running events and the impact of corporate influence, particularly in the context of UTMB and Ironman. T

he discussion explores the differences between European and American trail running cultures and the challenges of preserving the grassroots spirit while growing and expanding events. The conversation also touches on the importance of effective communication and the need for unity within the trail running community.

Mathias Personal Links

IG - @einmaleins 

@singletrack.fm 

@rockcandyrunning

Things we talked about on the show

Trail Running Film Festival

Rain Shadow Running

Rock Candy Running

Singletrack.fm Podcast

UTMB Group CEO Interview

Electric Cable Car

Ultra Trail Mt Rosa

Kodiak 100k

Lavaredo OCC

Chapters

03:34 Finding Running and Trails

10:16 Running in Europe vs. America

13:37 The Trail Running Film Festival

23:40 Rock Candy Running Events

32:13 The Singletrack Podcast

46:41 Balancing Work, Family, and Running

59:57 Goals for 2024

01:31:44 Personal Feelings about UTMB

01:32:28 European Perspective on UTMB

01:34:24 Broken Arrow Race

01:37:57 Grassroots Events and Relationships

01:38:24 Defining Grassroots Events

01:38:54 Hard Rock and Western States as Grassroots Events

01:39:21 UTMB's DNA

01:41:19 Possibility of European and American Grassroots Events

01:42:43 UTMB and Vale Resort Partnership

01:43:46 Different Cultures in Europe and America

01:45:37 UTMB's Grassroots Status

01:46:04 UTMB's Growth and Corporate Influence

01:47:48 Ironman's Influence and Brand Partnerships

01:48:16 Different Cultures in Europe and America

01:48:45 European Infrastructure and Culture

01:49:31 Limited Opportunities for Large Events in America

01:53:46 UTMB's Desire for a Race in Canada

01:54:32 Ironman's Influence and Brand Partnerships

01:55:22 UTMB's Communication and PR

02:07:41 Trail Running Culture and Communication

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