Singletrack

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 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/)

Additional Links:

• Follow Jeff on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, Twitter
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show

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, Sally offers a blueprint for what the modern trail athlete can become.

We also discuss her role at this year’s TrailCon, where she’s set to speak about the evolving intersection between athletic identity and personal branding. Sally is a thoughtful voice on how athletes can—and must—take control of their stories in the social media era, and why the future of trail running belongs as much to storytellers as it does to speedsters.

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/)

Additional Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

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 Western States 100 live stream, what goes into bringing the race to a global audience, and how coverage has evolved since his own racing days. With one foot in the athlete camp and the other in media and community-building, Dylan brings a nuanced perspective on where the sport is heading.

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/)

Additional Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

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 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 Mike on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Jeff on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

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 Reflections
• 24:02 Financial Realities of Professional Running
• 46:35 The Importance of Training Environment
• 56:26 Building Community in Professional Running
• 01:08:49 The Role of Media in Running
• 01:14:32 Trail Running Interests, Balancing Steeplechase Goals
  
  

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 Joey on Instagram, Strava, Substack
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Brett Hornig 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 a retroactive controversy surrounding a runner's time penalty (instead of DQ) at this year's Black Canyon 100K, the majesty of UTMB Snowdonia, the sustainability of pro ultrarunning, and whether there will be a "next venue" for the Mike-Finn-Brett ultra rivalry.

Timestamps:

• 01:14 Black Canyon 100K Controversy
• 44:16 Is UTMB Snowdonia cool?
• 01:11:54 Burnout in Professional Running
• 02:01:44 Rivalries and Future Challenges in Ultra Running
  
  

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 Mike on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt join Finn Melanson on the Singletrack Podcast for another edition of the Long Run Archives. In this episode, the trio reflects on the evolving media landscape in ultrarunning, using the wildly popular Cocodona 250 as a case study to examine its impact on race organizers, athletes, and fans. They also share personal takeaways and recap the key storylines from this year’s event. Finally, the conversation explores the (hypothetical) emergence of teams built specifically to win marquee races, speculates on the future of ultrarunning events, and wraps up with a discussion of interesting naming trends within the sport.

Timestamps:

• 01:21 Cocodona 250: A Fan's Perspective
• 05:27 The Impact of Media on Ultra Running
• 30:21 Future of Cocodona and Elite Participation
• 38:56 Influence of Cam Hanes
• 41:56 Pacing Dynamics in Ultra Running
• 57:41 Crew Dynamics and Fairness in Racing
• 01:08:35 Project Cocodona and The Concept of Brand-Funded Teams
• 01:31:15 The Future of Ultra Running Events, Innovative Relay Concepts in Ultra Running
• 01:35:49 Exploring Name Trends in Ultra Running
• 01:46:44 Marketing Strategies for Trail Running Regions
  
  
  

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 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

Tom Hooper joins the show to publicly announce and analyze the men's and women's long trail teams that will represent the USA at the World Trail Championships in Canfranc, Spain, this September.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 02:09 Selection Race Controversies, The Future of Selection Races
• 08:05 Team Composition: Women's Team Overview
• 12:16 Team Composition: Men's Team Overview
• 16:39 Building a Strong Team
• 19:47 Advice for Future Athletes, Future Race Selection Process

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 Team USA 
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show

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

Timestamps:

• (0:00) - Cocodona 250 hype, general conversation
• (27:58) - Course analysis
• (45:41) - Women's field preview
• (72:56) - Men's field preview

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 Leah on Instagram,  Strava, Twitter
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show

This is a crossover podcast from the Conversational Pace YouTube channel (hosted by my good friend, Brett Hornig) in which we talk about my gear, nutrition, and overall strategy for the 2025 Cocodona 250.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro
• 2:21 Gear from 2024 you won’t be using in 2025
• 6:58 Starting pack of choice
• 13:04 Starting shoe of choice
• 18:09 Gaiters or no gaiters?
• 19:34 Need to be fit enough to play the game
• 22:00 What makes the first day interesting
• 24:13 Day two
• 25:36 Lighting choices
• 27:33 Day two shoes
• 33:24 Poles
• 35:08 Significant mid-race gear pivots from last year
• 40:28 Final miles of the course
• 47:52 The 2025 Cocodona crew

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/)

Additional Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show