Singletrack

Latest Episodes:

Is Mental Toughness Overrated? What Really Wins in Ultrarunning (Long Run Archives #36) Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

In this edition of Long Run Archives, we talk about: Arlen Glick’s departure from Craft Sportswear, whether mental toughness is often overstated, and that physical fitness is what truly wins races, the idea of "super-domestiques" in ultra, Ben Dhiman vs the Boulder Boys, and media narratives around 200-mile "specialists".

Chapters:

00:00 — Arlen Glick’s Departure from Craft
06:57 — Could Ultrarunning Ever Have a Smut TV Series?
23:03 — Is Mental Toughness Overrated in Ultrarunning?
29:56 — Mental Warfare and Training Philosophy
32:45 — Community Support as a Competitive Advantage
35:39 — Training Partners: Breakthrough or Burnout?
39:20 — Pacing Ethics and Team Tactics in Ultrarunning
53:39 — Ben Dhiman vs. the Boulder Boys
1:03:30 — What Makes a 200-Mile Specialist?
1:13:30 — Media Narratives, Visibility, and Performance Metrics

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/)

Additional Links:

Arlen Glick Strava Post
Follow Jeff on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

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Did the Ultrarunner of the Year Rankings Get It Right? (Long Run Archives #35) Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Brett Hornig and Mike McMonagle join the show to reflect on the 2025 Ultrarunner of the Year and Trail Runner of the Year rankings, plus some way-too-early hype for our showdown at this year's Bear 100.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.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

The State of Singletrack: What 2025 Taught Us and What Comes Next Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

In this annual State of Singletrack episode, Finn Melanson sits down with longtime collaborator Scott Hickenlooper to reflect on where Singletrack has been, what defined 2025 from multiple angles, and how the business, media projects, and personal priorities are evolving heading into 2026.
The conversation covers why the State of Singletrack format exists, how Finn thinks about transparency and building in public, and what listening habits and creative influences shaped the show over the past year. Finn looks back on the biggest accomplishments of 2025, including the release of Singletrack’s first feature-length film The Finisher and the launch of Twisted Fork Trail Festival, while also addressing where things fell short, from missed product ideas to community initiatives that never fully materialized.
The episode examines the realities of building a trail running media company, including the fragility of sponsorship-driven business models, how partnerships are structured, and why diversification through events and race coverage has become essential. Finn and Scott also discuss the growth of Singletrack’s YouTube channel, the challenges of sustaining that momentum, and open questions around future video projects and personal storytelling.
Looking ahead, Finn shares what excites him most about 2026, including Jules Campanelli joining Singletrack full-time, upcoming race directing responsibilities, coverage plans for major events, and his own racing focus on Scout Mountain 100 and the Bear 100.
The episode closes with audience questions, reflections on how Finn’s perspective on the sport has changed, advice for aspiring creators and athletes, and a look at dream interviews that remain at the top of the wish list.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)

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Rachel Entrekin on How 200-Mile Racing Has Changed (Sunday Conversation) Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Rachel Entrekin joins the show to discuss how 200 mile racing strategy has changed, what it now takes to compete at the front of the sport, and her transition to being a full time professional in the sport.

Timestamps:

01:15 Burrito League, community running, and doing silly things for fun
06:30 Transitioning to life as a full-time professional runner
12:00 Recovery, sleep, and why high mileage feels different now
15:30 Training and connecting with other 200-mile athletes
19:30 Confidence, humility, and learning to own performance
23:00 Trash talk, entertainment, and race build-up narratives
27:00 Cocodona 250 dynamics and racing alone at the front
32:00 Gender categories and competitiveness in 200-mile racing
36:00 Why conservative racing no longer works
41:00 Tactical lessons learned from Mammoth 200
45:00 What it will take to win future 200-mile races
49:00 Advice for athletes debuting at the 200-mile distance
56:00 Studying live streams and learning from the sport
1:01:00 Vibe-based racing versus optimization
1:06:30 Longevity, visibility, and a late-career breakthrough
1:10:00 Old-school racing culture and the Plain 100

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/)

Additional Links:

Follow Rachel on Instagram, Strava
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Separate Starts, the Fate of World Trail Majors, and Is Hardrock “Cooked”? (Long Run Archives #34) Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Alyssa Clark comment on some of the most pressing issues in trail running today - including whether Hardrock is “cooked,” the debate around separate starts at races like UTMB, and what the future holds for the World Trail Majors.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/)

Additional Links:

Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
Follow Alyssa on Instagram, Strava, Website
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show

Why Trail Running Still Hasn’t Had a "Vaporfly Moment" (Geoff Burns Explains) Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Singletrack Podcast, I chat with sport scientist and physiologist Geoff Burns to unpack one of the biggest open questions in trail running right now: why shoe technology hasn’t produced a single, decisive “Vaporfly moment” on the trails - and whether it ever will.
Geoff explains why trail running is fundamentally different from road running when it comes to performance gains. While road shoes can be optimized for straight-line efficiency on uniform surfaces, trail shoes operate in a far more complex system - one shaped by uneven terrain, gradients, stability demands, traction, weight, and constantly changing conditions
Geoff explains:
* Why super-shoe logic breaks down on trails
* The real role of foams, plates, and energy return off-road
* Why shoe tech gains often disappear on uphill, downhill, or technical terrain
* Whether trail shoes are nearing saturation—or still wide open for innovation
* How weight, traction, durability, and stability compete with pure efficiency
* Why different trail races may require entirely different “optimal” shoes
* What shoe tech might be changing in the sport

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/)
deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase.

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How David Roche Changed Trail Running YouTube - Jeff Pelletier Explains (Sunday Conversation) Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

What actually changed with David Roche’s YouTube content and why did it work when so many running vlogs and films don’t?
In this episode of the Singletrack Podcast, I’m joined by running filmmaker and YouTube creator Jeff Pelletier for a deep, behind-the-scenes conversation about how trail running content is evolving and what Roche’s Western States series revealed about the platform.
We break down why YouTube rewards long-term storytelling over one-off films, how stakes and failure can be more compelling than winning, and why personality-driven channels consistently outperform brand-owned media. Jeff explains why Roche’s rollout felt like a masterclass, how it changed expectations for branded content, and what brands, athletes, and creators still get wrong about YouTube.
We also discuss:
* Why most running brands fail on YouTube
* How narrative arcs and episodic structure drive retention
* The difference between short-form and long-form impact
* Why YouTube is becoming the new television for endurance sports
* What the next era of trail running media might look like

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/)
deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase.

Support the show

2025 Ultrarunning Year In Review | Awards, Highlights, Storylines, Predictions Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Our annual Ultrarunning Year in Review is here! I'm joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to break down everything that defined the sport this year: the performances that reshaped the hierarchy, the storylines that sparked debate, and the trends that may permanently change how ultrarunning operates heading into 2026.

Topics include:

The biggest ultrarunning storylines of 2025
Breakout performances and unsung heroes
The most dramatic races and moments of the year
Comeback athletes and rookie standouts
Surprising results that rewrote expectations
The rise of agents, Substack, and athlete media
Brand wins, sponsorship shifts, and product moments
What 2025 tells us about the future of the sport

Thanks for tuning in! As always, this conversation is subjective, North American ultra-biased, and built for debate - so we want to hear from you. What did we get right - and what did we miss? What moments defined 2025 for you?

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/)
deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase.

Links:

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

Support the show

A Major Announcement for Singletrack (New Event!) Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

Big news from Singletrack and Massif Running — we are the new owners and race directors of the Antelope Island Buffalo Run. Sign up here.
One of Utah’s most iconic trail races, the Buffalo Run has been a cornerstone of the Wasatch trail running community for nearly 20 years. Founded by longtime race director Jim Skaggs, the event has always been about more than racing — it’s been a spring running party, a reunion, and a race that welcomes everyone from first-timers to lifelong ultrarunners.

In this episode, Finn Melanson is joined by Singletrack producer Scott Hickenlooper to share:
* Why Singletrack/Massif Running decided to take over the Buffalo Run
* What will stay the same — and what will evolve — under new ownership
* The history and legacy of the event on Antelope Island
* Course details, races distances, and why this is one of the fastest and most unique trail races in the Mountain West
* How this fits into Singletrack’s long-term vision for trail running in Utah

Registration is officially open for 2026 Antelope Island Buffalo Run! Sign up here.

Partners:

Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase.

Support the show

Scott Frey: Brain Training For Ultrarunning (Sunday Conversation) Dec 13, 2025

Show notes

Scott Frey of Cerebral Performance joins the show for a deep dive into the next frontier of athletic performance. Scott believes the biggest breakthroughs of the coming decade won’t come from physiology alone, but from the brain and psychological sciences - and that belief anchors this conversation.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/)
deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase.

Additional Links:

Cerebral Performance
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

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