Singletrack

Latest Episodes:

Nick Thompson on the AI Frontier in Ultrarunning + Technology Doping (Sunday Conversation) Dec 07, 2025

Show notes

Nick Thompson joins the show to talk about use cases for AI in ultra-trail running, the concept of technology doping, urban design for run commuting, his new book The Running Ground, and some of his fairly low-key favorite races in the sport -including the Escarpment, the Twisted Branch 100K, and more.

Chapters:

02:00 The Intersection of AI and Ultra Running
05:10 Exploring the Role of Technology in Training
08:12 The Future of Coaching in the Age of AI
10:59 Urban Design and Run Commuting
14:08 The Impact of Analytics on Sports
20:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Running
31:44 The Complexity of Commitment in Sports
37:11 The Luddite Perspective on Modernity
38:55 Sketches of Meaningful Lives
43:12 Post-Traumatic Growth and Resilience
45:54 Ambition vs. Spiritual Awakening
53:32 Exploring Off-the-Beaten-Path Races
57:42 Influencing Public Figures in Ultra Running

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:

Follow Nick on LinkedIn, The Running Ground
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

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Rise of Vertical Backyards, UTCT Fireworks + Is the 50 Mile Distance Back? (Long Run Archives #33) Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt return to the show to discuss the advent of the "Vertical" Backyard Ultra and recap the results at Ultra Trail Cape Town and the JFK 50, which took place this past weekend.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
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.
Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.

Additional Links:

Mount Ascutney Vertical Backyard, Calibre
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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The UTMB Era, Power Plays, and Trail Running Business Ideas (Long Run Archives #32) Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

First up, Tim Tollefson returns to the show. In some ways, trail running is still having its “What Are We Even Doing?” moment. Through that lens, we take a look at the UTMB era, the rise of pro circuits, what the pros care about, and what happens when a grassroots sport takes bigger steps towards big-time structure. After that, I'm joined by Alyssa Clark for a roundup of trail running business news and ideation. Enjoy!

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
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.
Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.

Additional Links:

Follow Tim on Instagram, Strava, Mammoth Trail Fest
Follow Alyssa on Instagram, Strava, Website
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show

Jim Walmsley on the UTMB Playbook, the "Black Shorts" Idea, and the Future of Trail Running (Sunday Conversation) Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

Jim Walmsley returns to the Singletrack Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation. We walk down memory lane, reflect on the World Championships, dig into his insights from Western States and UTMB, riff on his idea for a “Black Shorts Series,” and explore his training theories for success in the constantly evolving world of ultra-trail running.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
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.
Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.

Additional Links:

Follow Jim on Instagram, Strava
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show

Keep the Signal: Will Murray on Winning Javelina and Mastering the Mindset Game (Sunday Conversation) Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

Will Murray joins the Singletrack Podcast fresh off his dominant, course-record victory at the 2025 Javelina Jundred.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
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.
Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.

Additional Links:

Follow Will on Strava
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show

David Roche: The Future of Ultrarunning Is Here — and It’s Faster Than We Think (Sunday Conversation) Nov 01, 2025

Show notes

David Roche returns to the Singletrack Podcast fresh off his 12:18, second-place performance at the Javelina Jundred.
In addition to the race report, David dives into how high-carb fueling, recovery science, and fearless pacing are rewriting what’s possible in trail and ultrarunning, why overtraining and under-fueling are essentially the same thing, how athletes like Will Murray, Canyon Woodward, and Tara Dower are redefining performance ceilings, and what the next five years of the sport might look like.
Beyond the science, David opens up about aging in the sport, balancing family life with competition, and rediscovering joy in racing after the pressure of Western States. He shares lessons from his YouTube “Road to Western States” series, what he learned from stepping back, and how he and Megan Roche plan to rebuild their creative work heading into 2026.

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
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.
Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.

Additional Links:

Follow David on Instagram, Website, Youtube
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show

Tara Dower on Breaking the Javelina Jundred Course Record + Her Return to Western States (Sunday Conversation) Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

After setting a course record at 2025 Javelina Jundred, Tara Dower joins the Singletrack Podcast to talk about the strategy behind perhaps her biggest win yet — and how she’s using it to fuel a Western States comeback in 2026.

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 (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) 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/)
deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)

Additional Links:

Follow Tara on Instagram, Youtube
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show

2025 Javelina Jundred Recap Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

Finn Melanson and Brett Hornig share their observations from all the racing action at yesterday’s Javelina Jundred. They discuss Tara Dower’s massive course-record performance, how all three men’s podium finishers — Will Murray, David Roche, and Canyon Woodward — shattered the previous marks, and what it all means for the Western States 100 Golden Ticket Series. They also analyze this year’s livestream numbers, highlight their favorite racing moments, and explore how the 2025 edition of Javelina might redefine what’s possible on the desert course.

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 (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) 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/)
deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)

Additional Links:

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

Support the show

2025 Javelina Jundred Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

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

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 (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) 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/)
deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)

Additional Links:

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

Support the show

$50K to $500K? The New Reality of Pro Trail Running Sponsorships Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Trail running is growing fast — but is the money for athlete deals keeping up? In this episode, athlete agent Kelly Newlon returns to the show to unpack the latest economics behind athlete-brand partnerships in 2025. From $10K rookie contracts to six-figure base deals, Kelly breaks down who’s getting paid, why it’s finally improving for pros, and which brands and races hold the most weight in negotiations.

We cover:

How athlete compensation has shifted in the last two years
What brands actually value — and why some athletes still get left out
The rise of non-endemic deals (cars, banks, healthcare)

If you’ve always been curious about what “contract season” really looks like in trail running, this is a great look inside.

Additional Episodes:

#355 - Tara Dower Signs Ground-Breaking Deal with Altra (Our Analysis)
#135 - Kelly Newlon | Real Athlete Diets, Crewing FKT Projects, Athlete Sponsorship 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 (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) 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/)
deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)

Events:

Additional Links:

Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Patreon
Follow Kelly on Instagram, Website, LinkedIn

Support the show

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