Singletrack

Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at this year’s Black Canyon 100K.

Timestamps:

• (0:00) - Catching Up, Partnership News
• (5:27) - Listener Questions For Black Canyon
• (36:53) - Women's Field Analysis
• (1:07:33) - Men's Field Analysis
• (1:41:37) - Final Thoughts

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

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Brett Hornig and David Roche return to the Singletrack Podcast for another edition of the Long Run Archives.

Timestamps:

• (2:35) - shoe contracts, trial by miles vlog, future content ideas
• (27:51) - cycling to trail crossover talk, pending competitive edge of full-time athletes
• (01:13:24) - rivalry in trail running, the role of authenticity in competition
• (01:58:49) - open questions on doping, fairness in trail running, anxieties of clean athletes

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

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Jamil Coury joins the show to talk about the reasons behind his renewed passion for running, some inner workings of the Cocodona 250, various eras of Aravaipa Running, and his relatively recent acquisition of Ultrarunning Magazine.

Timestamps:

• (0:50) - Chipotle Challenge
• (13:35) - Cocodona 250
• (37:51) - Reflecting On Eras Of Aravaipa Running
• (92:57) - Ultrarunning Magazine

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 Jamil on Instagram, Strava, YouTube, Website
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Patreon

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Brett Hornig returns to the Singletrack Podcast for another edition of the Long Run Archives. In this episode, we discuss Finn's recent appearance on the Boulder Boys Show, the marketing beef between Nike and Satisfy, movement on the free agent market, and questions about the reach of European trail running media.

Timestamps:

• (0:00) - Catching Up, Boulder Boys Appearance, Coffee Club Inspiration, In-Person Podcasts
• (29:12) - Nike / Satisfy Beef
• (40:27) - European Trail Media Issues
• (53:44) - Free Agency News
• (67:08) - What’s In / What’s Out (2025)
• (80:27) - Best Things You Found On The Internet This 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 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:

• David Roche Vlog, Reax Run
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Patreon

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Get the inside scoop on what’s coming to the Singletrack Podcast in 2025! Host Finn Melanson shares exciting updates on podcast plans, race coverage, event projects, and more. Got ideas or requests for future behind-the-scenes episodes? We’d love to hear from you—DM us on IG or email Finn directly at [email protected]. Don’t miss this peek behind the curtain!

Timestamps:

• (0:00) - Introductions
• (15:30) - 2024 Reflections, Larger Trends
• (17:53) - Podcast Expectations
• (24:30) - Race Coverage Expectations
• (29:17) - Twisted Fork Expectations
• (31:55) - Race Project Expectations
• (36:00) - Miscellaneous, Skill-Building
• (40:05) - 2025 Partners (Naak, Gorewear, Raide)
• (43:50) - Conclusions

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/)

 Links:

• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Jack Kuenzle and Will Peterson join the show to reflect on an exciting year in the world of 'fastest known times' on the trail running scene. Fair warning: this episode contains some profanity, so listener discretion is advised!

Timestamps:

• (2:00) - Top FKT-related storylines of 2024
• (30:15) - Best New FKT Developments / Themes of 2024 
• (43:05) - Advances In Gear, Nutrition, Etc for FKTs
• (53:33) - Male FKT Of The Year
• (67:31) - Female FKT Of The Year
• (93:35) - Routes That Should Get More Attention In 2025 And Beyond
• (100:58) - 2025 FKT Predictions
• (108:09) - Personal Goals For 2025

Partners:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.
• Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.us/) to get 15% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLET...) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:

• Follow Will on Instagram, From The Backcountry
• Follow Jack on Instagram, Strava, Coaching
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Patreon

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Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling join the show to reflect on an exciting year in ultrarunning. We dive into standout storylines, major sports shifts, and rookie athletes' breakout performances. We highlight runners who staged remarkable comebacks, discuss key candidates in TROY and UROY voting, and highlight unsung performances and athletes of the year. Additionally, we share personal highlights and make bold predictions for 2025 and beyond.

Timestamps:

• (0:00) - Introductions
• (4:19) - Unsung or Darkhorse Performance of the Year
• (14:32) - Comeback Runner of the Year
• (30:08) - Rookie of the Year
• (37:02) - Best Team Performance
• (44:52) - Best Free Agent Signing
• (47:54) - Top Storylines of 2024
• (59:57) - Favorite Moments of 2024
• (67:39) - Biggest Themes / Best New Developments of 2024
• (73:16) - Most Thrilling Race / Race Moment of 2024
• (77:25) - Favorite Content of 2024
• (83:24) - 2024 Predictions
• (92:05) - UROY Considerations
• (94:54) - Personal Wins / 2025 Goals

Partners:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.
• Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.us/) to get 15% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLET...) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:

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

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This is a two-part episode from conversations recorded at the Running Event in Austin, TX this past November. First, I'm joined by Tim Tollefson who provides a race-directing behind-the-scenes look at the Mammoth Trail Fest. Then I'm joined by Lauren Osbourne who shares lessons learned from building a modern speciality running retail store - Exchange Running Collective - in Nashville, TN.

Timestamps:

• (1:48) - whether trail running events should have points of view
• (4:51) - the role of brand partners at trail running events
• (5:56) - race director off-season activities, business challenges
• (13:49) - event permitting for trail races
• (20:49) - inspirations for Mammoth Trail Fest
• (27:58) - more brand partnerships discussion
• (36:13) - golden trail series relationship
• (41:04) - Tim Tollefson parting thoughts
• (43:26) - how to enter the running retail space
• (45:47) - lessons learned working for Nike
• (52:15) - intentionally creating in-store community environment
• (57:00) - Nashville running scene
• (61:05) - running memberships, unique inventory
• (64:20) - advice for starting a running store, the zero to one

Partners:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.
• Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.us/) to get 15% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLET...) to get 20% off your next order.

Additional Links:

• Mammoth Trail Fest
• Exchange Running Collective 
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter,

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In this episode, we’re joined by returning guests Abby Levene of Outside Magazine and Kelly Newlon of RAD Boulder. Together, we dive into the big news of Tara Dower’s groundbreaking sponsorship deal with Altra, which positions her as one of the higher-paid athletes in the ultra-trail running world.

Timestamps:

• 00:30 Introduction to Tara Dower's Contract with Altra
• 06:22 Gender Pay Inequality in Sports
• 09:26 The Role of Non-Disclosure Agreements in Athlete Contracts
• 13:42 Market Dynamics and Athlete Compensation
• 16:37 The Impact of Tara's Contract on the Trail Running Community
• 19:28 The Future of Sponsorships in Trail Running
• 22:21 Tara Dower's Unique Position in the Sport
• 25:36 Measuring Success for Brands and Athletes
• 28:30 The Evolution of Altra's Brand Strategy
• 35:28 The Evolution of Athlete Representation
• 39:01 The Role of Agents in Ultra Trail Running
• 50:48 The Future of Sports Reporting
• 54:39 The Concept of a Signing Day in Trail Running
• 56:48 Safeguarding Athlete Obligations
• 01:01:55 Final Thoughts on Tara's Impact
  
  

Partners:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.
• Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.us/) to get 15% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLET...) to get 20% off your next order.

Additional Links:

• Abby Levene - Outside Mag Article
• Kelly Newlon - RadBoulder
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

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Chris Chavez returns to the Singletrack Podcast to discuss the latest developments at Citius Mag, the influence of Netflix's Sprint series on Track and Field, shifts in the sports media landscape, his key content and event strategies for 2025, and his perspective on Michael Johnson's "Grand Slam Track" league.

Timestamps:

• 2:00 The Evolution of Citius Mag and Track and Field Media
• 9:49 Retaining Talent in a Competitive Media Environment
• 20:50 The Impact of Media on Track and Field
• 26:59 The Future of Track and Field Media
• 32:19 "Sprint" And The Evolution of Sports Documentaries
• 39:51 Challenges in Media Access In Track and Field
• 45:04 Grand Slam Track
• 50:04 The Role of Influential Figures (Michael Johnson) in Sports
• 55:27 Business Strategies for Sports Media Success
  
  

Partners:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.
• Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.us/) to get 15% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLET...) to get 20% off your next order.

Additional Links:

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

Support the show