The Buzz

Public lands are where we run, where our races unfold, and where many of us feel most at home. But what happens when those protections are rolled back?

In this episode of The Buzz, Buzz Burrell talks with Kat Baker, Executive Director of Runners for Public Lands, about the fight to keep 58 million acres of Forest Service land under the Roadless Rule, why iconic races like Western States, Wasatch, and Hardrock depend on these protections, and how runners can step up as stewards.

Kat shares how RPL is rallying race directors, mapping where courses overlap with roadless areas, and helping runners become partners for land managers under strain. We also explore what runners can learn from climbers and other outdoor groups who've earned their seat at the advocacy table.

If you've ever laced up on a forest trail, this conversation is for you. Public lands aren't guaranteed, they're a gift we all share responsibility for.

🔗 Learn more and join RPL: runnersforpubliclands.org 📅 September 28 is National Public Lands Day - free admission to all U.S. National Parks.

This episode of The Buzz is presented by Arc'teryx, supporting stewardship and access to the places we run.

At this year's UTMB, it wasn't just about who won, it was about what the event has become. In this episode of The Buzz, host Buzz Burrell talks with longtime running journalist Brian Metzler about the transformation of UTMB Week into the sport's most competitive race series, biggest trade show, and all-out cultural festival. From Jim Walmsley's sprint finish at OCC, to Courtney Dauwalter's gritty 10th-place finish at UTMB, to Ruth Croft's commanding win, Buzz and Brian break down the racing itself before zooming out to ask what all the brand activations, media attention, and 175 million livestream views mean for the future of trail running.

Thanks to Arc'teryx for supporting the podcast!

If you enjoyed this episode, check out the rest of the UltraSignup Podcast Network. The Trailhead with Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard brings humor, heart, and a love of running culture to every episode, and Between Two Pines offers offbeat, laugh-out-loud conversations with Dom Grossman and Andy Pearson. And now, both The Buzz and The Trailhead are on YouTube, so you can listen on the run or watch from home.

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What does it take to thrive at the top of ultrarunning today? In this episode of The Buzz, Buzz Burrell sits down with Jeff Mogavero, fresh off his blazing Western States debut and heading into UTMB, to talk about how training has evolved from "just running when it feels good" to heat chambers, high-carb fueling, and precision hydration.

Jeff shares the story of running in 110°F rooms with his pacer "Peanut," experimenting with 150 grams of carbs per hour, and why European races feel like the Tour de France compared to the costumed chaos of U.S. aid stations. He also reflects on directing his grassroots race in Missoula, balancing community with professional ambitions, and why UTMB still "has his soul."

From croissants in Chamonix to chainsaw-wielding fans at Sierre-Zinal, this is a wide-ranging conversation about what's changing, and what still grounds the sport we love.

Thanks to Arc'Teryx for supporting The Buzz!

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Adventure runner Fritz Sitte isn't chasing podiums, he's chasing experiences. In this episode of The Buzz, Fritz joins Buzz Burrell to share the story of his 6,400-mile, eight-month run from Cape Town to the northern tip of Africa, completed alongside his brother on a bicycle. They talk about the challenges of covering a continent without motorized support, the life lessons learned from protecting their relationship on the road, and why lowering your boundaries (and your pace) can lead to deeper cultural connections.

Fritz also gives a preview of his next big project: running the length of Germany to set an FKT while raising money for refugee education, plus a possible attempt in the Atacama Desert. Along the way, they dig into the philosophy of "meaningful meaninglessness," the value of strength training for long efforts, and why you don't have to run 100K a day to make a journey run worthwhile. If you've ever dreamed about ditching the race bib for an open-ended adventure, this conversation might just convince you to take that first step.

Thanks to Arc'teryx for supporting The Buzz!

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Trail running is evolving fast—and this episode takes you inside that transformation.

Recorded live at TrailCon, host Buzz Burrell sits down with four unique voices shaping the sport:

• David Callahan, co-CEO of UltraSignup, on why "Tahoe Trail Week" could be America's answer to Chamonix.

• Shane Ohly, UK race director, on adventure, jeopardy, and the self-navigation ethos of events like the Dragon's Back.

• Matt Walsh, media analyst and author of the TrailMix newsletter, on the Golden Trail Series' TV deal and how athlete-driven storytelling is reshaping the narrative.

• Doug Mayer, author and founder of Run the Alps, with insights into the cultural quirks and traditions of European racing.

From stage races without aid stations to TV-friendly "flower course" formats, this conversation dives into how trail running is growing, changing, and still finding its soul.

Special thanks to Wahoo for supporting this episode—helping athletes train smarter and adventure farther. And thanks to UltraSignup for powering The Buzz. Ready for your next race? Find it at UltraSignup.com.

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This episode of The Buzz is a special one. Recorded at TrailCon in Palisades Tahoe—wedged between Broken Arrow and Western States, Buzz Burrell sits down with four powerhouse women shaping the future of trail and ultrarunning. These aren't just elite athletes and insiders; they're advocates, leaders, and storytellers working to redefine what inclusion, equity, and longevity look like in the sport.

Buzz chats with:

• Anna Frost, a pioneer of professional trail running, who reflects on the early days of sponsorship (free shoes!), standing up for equal prize money, and what it means to have longevity in the sport after motherhood.

• Kelly Newlon, founder of RAD Boulder and athlete agent, who breaks down how contract negotiations are evolving for women and why authenticity, not follower count, is driving the next wave of professional sponsorship.

• Karen Merlin, UTMB World Series comms director, who outlines UTMB's progressive policies on pregnancy, broadcast equity, and women's visibility, and why growing participation isn't just about signing up, but being invited in.

• Hillary Allen, trail running veteran and US team qualifier, who offers a grounded look at what elite racing means for the rest of us—and why the "core" of the sport isn't just the fastest runners, but the everyday athletes building the community from the ground up.

From podium protests to pregnancy clauses, this episode goes deep on the real forces shifting the landscape of trail running, and why everyone has a role to play.

Subscribe to The Buzz for real talk with the people behind the biggest shifts in our sport. New episodes drop every other Tuesday, alternating with The Trailhead with Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard.

🎙 Got feedback or a guest idea? Email Buzz at [email protected].

Be part of shaping the future of UltraSignup podcasts. Share your feedback in our quick listener survey.

In this episode of The Buzz, Buzz Burrell and friend Hilary Allen sit down with Meghan Hicks—ultrarunner, editor-in-chief of iRunFar, and president of the Hardrock 100 board, to unpack how trail and ultrarunning are changing. They dive into the sport's major growth spurts, the shifting role of media and brands, why the obsession with 100 miles might be overrated, and how trail running's anti-commercial roots clash and coexist with its rising popularity. Meghan shares why independent journalism at iRunFar still matters, how the team has adapted from live tweeting to the modern media landscape, and what keeps her excited as a runner. She also talks fueling, super shoes, and her upcoming return to the 100-mile distance at Scout Mountain.

Big thanks to Wahoo Kickr for supporting this conversation and helping us bring these important stories to life. This treadmill is the closest you can get to running trail indoors!

If you're curious about where trail running has been, and where it's headed, this episode is a must-listen.

David Roche might be known as the apostle of carbs, but there's much more to him than mid-race fueling math. In this conversation with Buzz Burrell, David opens up about the deeper forces that shape his running, coaching, and outlook on life. From nearly dying in a bike accident to experiencing depression and ultimately a powerful shift in perspective, David shares how mortality, vulnerability, and joy have become his most important performance tools. He talks candidly about the power of radical empathy—why he responds with love even to internet trolls—and how that mindset connects to his approach to coaching and competition.

Thanks to Wahoo for supporting The Buzz! Check out the best-ever treadmill for trail runners.

They also get into the science of what's working right now in endurance sports: high-carb fueling, extreme hydration strategies, and heat training. David breaks down how the peloton revolutionized fueling practices, why hydration needs are more individual than most athletes realize, and what he's doing to push the envelope at Western States. He explains how these marginal gains stack up, why they matter (and why they sometimes don't), and why transparency—not secrecy—is the path forward for the sport.

Riley Brady is having one hell of a season. In this episode of The Buzz, host Buzz Burrell sits down with one of the hottest names in ultrarunning just weeks before they line up at Western States. Fresh off course record wins at the Black Canyon 100K and Quad Rock 50 Mile—not to mention a scorching-fast victory at the Javelina 100—Riley shares what's working, what they've learned, and how they're keeping the momentum rolling into one of the most prestigious races in the sport.

From dialing in nutrition to choosing VaporFlys for the trails, Riley breaks down the decisions and strategies that make the difference. We get into heat training (hello, 200-degree sauna), fueling mishaps and fixes, and why shoe weight might matter more than grip when it comes to speed.

Thanks to Wahoo for supporting The Buzz! Check out the best ever treadmill for trail runners.

Topics include:

• How Riley stopped puking mid-race (mostly)
• The hydration-first fueling strategy that changed everything
• Why VaporFlys aren't just for road runners
• Passive vs. active heat training—and why Riley thrives in the sauna
• Inclusivity in ultrarunning
• The decade-long path from college trail runs to elite podiums

Whether you're deep in your own build or just love hearing what makes top athletes tick, this episode is full of insight, candor, and real talk from one of ultrarunning's rising stars.

🎧 Subscribe to The Buzz for grounded takes and great conversations with the people shaping the future of trail running.

What does it take to finish the Barkley Marathons—not once, but three times? And what kind of person dreams of spending 40 straight days trying to break the Appalachian Trail FKT? This week on The Buzz, Buzz Burrell sits down with ultrarunner, data scientist, and father of four John Kelly. Known for his legendary Barkley finishes, the self-invented "Grand Round" in the UK, and a marathon PR under 2:30, John blends scientific rigor with deep grit. He's not just a top-tier athlete—he's a methodical thinker applying systems-level thinking to some of the hardest challenges in endurance sport.

They discuss:

• What went wrong (and right) at Barkley 2025

• Why failing early on matters—and how to keep showing up

• His nuanced take on Jasmine Paris' historic Barkley finish

• The logistics, strategy, and mindset behind his upcoming Appalachian Trail FKT attempt

• Why training on a treadmill isn't a dealbreaker for mountain dreams

• The case for "flexible consistency"—and why the best support crews are full-on teams.

If you're curious how someone balances family, big goals, and brutal sleep deprivation while still pushing the sport forward, this one's for you.

📍Links:

• John's blog: randomforestrunner.com

• Start tracking John's Appalachian Trail FKT on May 25th

Thanks to Wahoo Kickr for supporting The Buzz!