David Kilgore serves as the Trail and Ultrarunning Athlete Manager for On Running. In this conversation we talk about how he got his role at the company, his advice for navigating the negotiation process as a potential sponsored athlete, whether athletes can focus on both performance and social media, and whether the time is ripe for the formation of brand-sponsored trail running teams.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (4:00) - Alaska Cirque Series race, Cyclon program
• (8:27) - how David got into his role at On Running and helped build their trail and ultrarunning team
• (11:00) - how David thinks about scouting for and recruiting athletes to the On Running team
• (13:36) - advice for how prospective sponsored athletes should reach out to brands like On
• (16:36) - How athletes can understand their value to the brand and negotiate contracts better
• (25:02) - the percentage of athletes that are full-time versus part-time on the On team roster
• (27:45) - whether athletes can perform well and do social media well at the same time
• (34:31) - thoughts on whether we will see trail running teams form any time soon
• (38:28) - whether current and future athletes will need to take trail and ultrarunning full-time
• (41:15) - miscellaneous questions 

Links:

• Follow David on Instagram
• Hudson River 50

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #99 - Robert Muecke | How Adidas Terrex Is Building Their Trail Running Team
• #98 - Steff Gardner | How Salomon Is Building Their North American Trail Running Team

Support the show

Michael McKnight is a professional trail runner for Salomon based in Logan, UT.

 You may recognize Michael as one of the top athletes on the 200 mile racing scene and we do talk a bit about that towards the end of the episode, but this conversation delves a fair bit into the philosophical as well as Michael reflects on being outspoken on social media on a whole array of issues, managing a coaching business through turbulent economic times, and the takeaways from working on the corporate side of the sport in many capacities.

We also talk about and build up some hype for Michael’s next project - and what I believe is one of the most unique events our sport has seen in a while - a head to head battle for the Arizona Trail FKT taking place in October.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (3:06) - experience and takeaways working for Altra in customer service, events, and athlete management
• (18:32) - motivations for the move from Altra to Salomon, getting into coaching
• (28:19) - living and training in Logan, UT
• (34:53) - social media, being outspoken about certain hot topics in our sport
• (41:31) - specializing, building a career around 200 mile races
• (47:00) - whether a playbook is forming for how to run 200 milers
• (52:51) - Arizona Trail FKT showdown

Links:

• Follow Michael on Instagram
• Get coached by Michael for 200 mile races

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #73 - Joe McConaughy | Cocodona 250 Win, Long Trail FKTs, Coaching Ultra Runners

Support the show

In this episode of the Long Run Archives I am joined by co-host Brett Hornig and special guest Jeff Colt to discuss and debate a whole slew of trail and ultrarunning topics and current events.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (2:32) - introductions
• (8:30) - unique trail running sponsorships
• (19:07) - what makes for a good trail race culture
• (28:18) - why some of the best ultra runners use road shoes in trail races
• (37:55) - significance of USATF in trail and ultra running
• (52:19) - whether we'll see Joey Gray against Kilian Jornet ever again
• (59:05) - the role of specialty run stores in growing the sport of trail running
• (66:36) - the next wave of trail and ultra running content we want to see 

Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram
• Follow Jeff on Instagram
• Get coached by Trails and Tarmac
• Prescription Roasting
• Loyal Coffee

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #94 - Long Run Archives #5 | Western States Reactions, Zach Miller Return, Arizona Trail Duel
• #72 - Long Run Archives #4 | Cocodona 250, Mammoth Trail Fest, Super Shoe Influences, Strava Finds
• #62 - Long Run Archives #3 | Betting In Ultrarunning, Next Great Trail Running Towns, Golden Ticket Series Ideas
• #53 - Long Run Archives #2 | Ultrarunning Analytics, Elite DNF Debate, 3:47 Downhill Mile, Magda What If
• #43 - Long Run Archives #1 | Jim Walmsley What Ifs, Black Canyon 100K Preview, Full-Time Ultrarunning

Support the show

Lindsay Dakota is a Co-Founder of Naked Sports Innovations. You're probably familiar with their running bands, but maybe not as familiar with their running vests or their new trail racing shoe. Maybe you also also noticed athletes like Adam Peterman and Camille Herron crossing the finish line of this year's Western States 100 using their gear. Regardless, if you're a long-time listener of Singletrack, you know our first love on this show is chatting with the entrepreneurs building on top of and around the world of trail and ultra running and we return to those roots in this episode.

Lindsay and I talk about what it's like running a gear company in our sport, the opportunities he saw to innovate on existing trail running gear, the outside influences he brings to our world, general commentary on building and marketing a vision from 0 to 1, and all sorts of stuff around Naked's current and future lines of products. I hope you enjoy.

Sponsors:

• Kodiak Cakes - use Singletrack15 at checkout to get 15% off your next order.
• InsideTracker - use this link to get 20% off your next order.

Timestamps:

• (4:55) - inspiration to be an entrepreneur in the trail running world
• (8:05) - the historical timeline and evolution of running bands and vests
• (13:54) - building a new trail running gear company and carving out a niche against established, well-known brands
• (15:33) - the biggest areas of opportunity for innovation in trail running gear
• (19:34) - thoughts on competition and their innovations being absorbed by bigger brands
• (24:30) - the zero to one process for getting a trail running gear brand off the ground
• (26:25) - typical day for the Co-Founder
• (28:33) - marketing the brands through athletes
• (32:48) - changing demographics of the sponsorship landscape 
• (36:40) - Naked's current and future product line
• (43:36) - innovation from new versus established running gear companies
• (50:33) - miscellaneous questions

Links:

• Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn
• Naked Sports Innovations
• Native Women Running Team
• Verna Volker

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #3 - Jimmy Daly | Social Media, Content Creation, Branding For Trail Runners
• #7 - Mark Gainey | Co-Founder of Strava, Trail Running, Athlete Creators
• #8  - Larissa Rivers | Trail Running Stores, Sports Marketing, Strava
• #11 - Matt Taylor | Tracksmith, Brand Marketing, Growing The Sport Of Trail Running
• #20 - Zoe Rom | Trail Runner Magazine, Running Journalism, Diversity Talks

Support the show

 I am joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling in this episode to preview the 2022 Speedgoat 50K. We analyze the course, talk about what it's going to take to be successful, note some of the interesting storylines around the event, and yes, make our predictions for the female and male podium finishers this year.

Thanks to our sponsor, Kodiak Cakes, for making it possible. Use code Singletrack15 at checkout to get 15% off your next order.

Timestamps:

• (3:46) - commentary on race changes this year
• (19:29) - analyzing course profile and performance demands
• (31:57) - analyzing women's field, podium predictions
• (55:06) - analyzing men's field, podium predictions

Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram
• Follow Leah on Instagram
• Get coached by Trails and Tarmac

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #92 - 2022 Western States 100 Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions
• #64 - 2022 Canyons 100K Preview | The Last Western States Golden Ticket Race

Support the show

This episode bundles all of the pre-race interviews we did for the women’s field at the 2022 Speedgoat 50k by UTMB taking place this coming Saturday, July 23rd at Snowbird Ski Resort outside of Salt Lake City, UT.

Thanks to our sponsor, Kodiak Cakes, for making it possible. Use code Singletrack15 at checkout to get 15% off your next order.

Timestamps:

• (0:34) - Erika Flowers (North Face)
• (20:34) - Hillary Allen (Brooks)
• (33:22) - Jennifer Lichter (North Face)
• (52:52) - Addie Bracy (Nike)
• (62:30) - Alissa St Laurent (Salomon)

Links:

• Follow Erika Flowers on Instagram
• Follow Hillary Allen on Instagram
• Follow Jennifer Lichter on Instagram
• Follow Addie Bracy on Instagram
• Follow Alissa St Laurent on Instagram

Support the show

This episode bundles all of the pre-race interviews we did for the men’s field at the 2022 Speedgoat 50k by UTMB taking place this coming Saturday, July 23rd at Snowbird Ski Resort outside of Salt Lake City, UT.

Thanks to our sponsor, Kodiak Cakes, for making it possible. Use code Singletrack15 at checkout to get 15% off your next order.

Timestamps:

• (0:37) - David Sinclair (Dynafit)
• (12:06) - Jackson Cole (La Sportiva)
• (25:50) - Adam Loomis (Dynafit)
• (37:20) - Joey DeFeo 
• (54:32) - Morgan Elliott

Links:

• Follow David Sinclair on Instagram
• Follow Jackson Cole on Instagram
• Follow Adam Loomis on Instagram
• Follow Joey DeFeo on Instagram 
• Follow Morgan Elliott on Instagram

Support the show

Robert Muecke is the Global Sports Marketing Director for Adidas Terrex and, until recently, also served as the their Trail Running Team Manager.

In this conversation we talk about why Terrex  decided to invest so substantially in the trail running space over the last 5-6 years, the trail running team model they are building, how they define value in the athlete-sponsor relationship, what it's like to be a Terrex athlete and more.

Deals:

• For Kodiak Cakes, use code Singletrack15 at checkout to get 15% off your next order.
• For Insidetracker, go to insidetracker.com/singletrack to get 31% off your next order before 7/17/22 or 20% off after that date.
• For Athletic Greens, go to athleticgreens.com/singletrack for free Vitamin D for 1 year and 5 free travel packs with a subscription purchase.

Timestamps:

(4:00) - introductions
(7:23) - background in trail running and at Adidas Terrex
(9:40) - changes in the athlete sponsorship landscape over the last 5-6 years
(13:47) - thoughts on team environment in trail running
(16:33) - recruiting athletes to the Adidas Terrex trail running team
(19:44) - emphasizing obligation to the athletes and long-term relationships
(26:57) - expectations of Adidas Terrex athletes
(31:01) - talking about increase in full-time trail runners
(36:27) - whether most professional trail runners will be full-time by the end of the decade
(41:39) - evolution, increasing sophistication of running teams in the last decade
(44:29) - intentionally investing in the dispersed team model instead of the co-located model
(50:35) - key objectives for when the team does hold training camps
(57:27) - how to define value in the relationship between athlete and brand
(63:02) - whether athletes shortchange themselves in the negotiation process
(67:27) - closing the gender pay gap among sponsored trail runners
(70:07) - why Adidas Terrex put such a strategic focus on trail running over the last few years
(72:41) - whether the trend of brand take over of event series will lead to less inter-brand competition between athletes in the future
(80:40) - whether there will be a world in the future where race winnings are substantial at a majority of the major trail running events
(83:00) - helping athletes transition out of their athletic careers to other roles in the brand
(87:04) - in-house, branded content for trail runners
(90:21) - closing thoughts

Links: 

• Follow Adidas Terrex on Instagram

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #98 - Steff Gardner | How Salomon Builds Their North American Trail Running Team

Support the show

Steff Gardner serves as the Trail Marketing Manager for Salomon North America based in Ogden, UT. Part of her role involves working with Salomon’s North American athlete team and thats where we focus the majority of this conversation.

We talk about what’s involved in the day to day managing the team, how Salomon thinks about signing athletes and creating a virtual and in-person team environment, we talk generally about how the athlete sponsorship landscape has changed over the last decade, social media obligations, and Salomon’s short term and long term strategies in the trail running space among many more things.

 Deals:

• For Kodiak Cakes, use code Singletrack15 at checkout to get 15% off your next order.
• For Athletic Greens, go to athleticgreens.com/singletrack to get $20 off your monthly subscription + 5 free travel packs and Vitamin D for a year. 
• For Insidetracker, go to insidetracker.com/singletrack to get 31% off your next order before 7/17/22 or 20% off after that date.

News From Salomon: The WMN Trail Half Marathon!

"We’re hosting our own Women’s only Half Marathon in the Marin Headlands right outside San Francisco on Sept. 24th and it’s going to be so sick! We’ll have a bunch of our athletes there, including Jessie Diggins from the Nordic Team and possibly Courtney Dauwalter. We’re partnering with San Francisco Running Company, Athletic Brewing and &Mother. &Mother will provide free childcare for any women running the race. We’re also making super cool SWAG, there’s a pretty sizeable prize purse, and a few premium/VIP parties. We’re really focused on removing the barriers to trail running and racing for women." - Steff Gardner

Timestamps:

• (4:35) - recapping Mount Marathon experience, remainder of summer event schedule
• (12:53) - Steff’s background, career at Salomon
• (18:29) - what’s involved managing the Salomon trail running team
• (19:57) - what Salomon does to create a team environment for it’s athletes
• (22:52) - what Steff looks for in athletes when recruiting them to the Salomon team
• (27:25) - moving away, to some extent, from athlete social media obligations
• (35:45) - how Salomon thinks about athlete contracts 
• (45:44) - How Salomon pitches their trail running brand
• (49:20) - talking about the Salomon “Inspiration Team”
• (54:10) - differences in the athlete-sponsor relationship over the last decade
• (59:50) - when the athlete-sponsor relationship changes in terms of payments
• (64:10) - Salomon’s short and long-term strategy and investments in trail running in North America
• (68:11) - final thoughts

Links:

• Follow Steff on Instagram

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #99 - Robert Muecke | How Adidas Terrex Is Building Their Trail Running Team

Support the show

Sophia Laukli is an olympic-level nordic skier and Salomon-sponsored trail runner based in Salt Lake City, UT. She's made a big impact on the sub-ultra trail running scene so far this year with a win at the Broken Arrow 26K Skyrace and another podium at Whiteface.

In this conversation we talk about growing up in Maine, her rise in the sport of Nordic skiing, how she prepared for and competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games, her entry into trail running, and how she plans to manage her interest in both sports over the next couple of years.

 Deals:

• For Kodiak Cakes, use code Singletrack15 at checkout to get 15% off your next order.
• For Athletic Greens, go to athleticgreens.com/singletrack to get $20 off your monthly subscription + 5 free travel packs and Vitamin D for a year. 
• For Insidetracker, go to insidetracker.com/singletrack to get 31% off your next order before 7/17/22 or 20% off after that date.

Timestamps:

• (4:45) - background in Maine, early athletic experiences and influences
• (14:59) - competing in nordic skiing for the University of Utah and the US at the 2022 Beijing Olympic games
• (27:40) - future plans in nordic skiing, takeaways from Tokyo, next Olympic games
• (32:05) - introduction to trail and mountain running, influences, future plans
• (41:37) - miscellaneous questions

Links:

• Follow Sophia on Instagram
• Follow Sophia on Strava

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #63 - Addie Bracy | Mental Training For Ultrarunning
• #37 - Corrine Malcolm | State Of The Sport, Ultra Running Commentary

Support the show