Singletrack

Latest Episodes:

Dylan Bowman: Trail Running at a Crossroads? Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Dylan Bowman returns to the Singletrack Podcast for a wide-ranging, in-person conversation from our Olympic Valley, CA studio just days before the 2025 Western States 100.
As the founder of Freetrail and a key figure behind TrailCon, Dylan has spent the last few years shaping the conversation around what trail and ultrarunning can—and should—become. In this episode, we dive deep into the evolution of the sport, how media and storytelling are influencing the culture, and what role platforms like Freetrail play in that transformation.
We also discuss Dylan’s role as a lead broadcaster for the Western States 100 live stream, what goes into bringing the race to a global audience, and how coverage has evolved since his own racing days. With one foot in the athlete camp and the other in media and community-building, Dylan brings a nuanced perspective on where the sport is heading.

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 Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

What It Really Takes to Go Pro in Trail Running — with Sally McRae Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Sally McRae joins the Singletrack Podcast live from our Olympic Valley, CA studio in the days leading up to the 2025 Western States 100 for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation.
In this episode, we explore what it really takes to go pro in trail and ultrarunning—beyond the podiums, Strava segments, and sponsorship deals. Sally shares the lesser-told story of building a sustainable career in the sport, from early sacrifices to developing her voice as both an athlete and a creator. As one of the few pro runners who has built a loyal community through content, coaching, and entrepreneurship, Sally offers a blueprint for what the modern trail athlete can become.
We also discuss her role at this year’s TrailCon, where she’s set to speak about the evolving intersection between athletic identity and personal branding. Sally is a thoughtful voice on how athletes can—and must—take control of their stories in the social media era, and why the future of trail running belongs as much to storytellers as it does to speedsters.

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 Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Western States Buzz: Big Names Out, New Stars In? (Long Run Archives #28) May 30, 2025

Show notes

Jeff Colt and Mike McMonagle join Finn Melanson on the Singletrack Podcast for another edition of the Long Run Archives. In this episode, the trio reflects on the latest lineup changes at the Western States 100, the current status of Unbreakable 2, the influence of BPN's Backyard Ultra, and the impact of the Wilderness Act.

Timestamps:

(0:00) - Western States 100 Lineup News
(32:57) - High Mileage Training Discussion
(46:14) - Unbreakable 2 Discussion
(70:04) - BPN Backyard Ultra
(86:31) - Revisiting Wilderness Act Discussion

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 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/)

Additional Links:

Follow Mike on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
Follow Jeff on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Joey Berriatua Explains the Tinman Elite Breakup + What Comes Next (Trail Running?) May 28, 2025

Show notes

Joey Berriatua joins Finn Melanson on the Singletrack Podcast to reflect on his time with Tinman Elite, share his journey through the professional running scene, and explore why trail running might be his future path.

Related Episodes:

#26 (Sam Parsons | How To Build A Trail Running Team)
#289 (Sam Parsons | The Trials and Tribulations of Pro Running

Timestamps:

01:00 Tinman Elite Reflections
24:02 Financial Realities of Professional Running
46:35 The Importance of Training Environment
56:26 Building Community in Professional Running
01:08:49 The Role of Media in Running
01:14:32 Trail Running Interests, Balancing Steeplechase Goals

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 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/)

Additional Links:

Follow Joey on Instagram, Strava, Substack
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Is This Ultrarunning’s Next Big Controversy? (Long Run Archives #27) May 26, 2025

Show notes

Brett Hornig and Mike McMonagle join Finn Melanson on the Singletrack Podcast for another edition of the Long Run Archives. In this episode, the trio reflects on a retroactive controversy surrounding a runner's time penalty (instead of DQ) at this year's Black Canyon 100K, the majesty of UTMB Snowdonia, the sustainability of pro ultrarunning, and whether there will be a "next venue" for the Mike-Finn-Brett ultra rivalry.

Timestamps:

01:14 Black Canyon 100K Controversy
44:16 Is UTMB Snowdonia cool?
01:11:54 Burnout in Professional Running
02:01:44 Rivalries and Future Challenges in Ultra Running

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 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/)

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

How Cocodona Is Changing Ultrarunning Forever (Long Run Archives #26) May 13, 2025

Show notes

Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt join Finn Melanson on the Singletrack Podcast for another edition of the Long Run Archives. In this episode, the trio reflects on the evolving media landscape in ultrarunning, using the wildly popular Cocodona 250 as a case study to examine its impact on race organizers, athletes, and fans. They also share personal takeaways and recap the key storylines from this year’s event. Finally, the conversation explores the (hypothetical) emergence of teams built specifically to win marquee races, speculates on the future of ultrarunning events, and wraps up with a discussion of interesting naming trends within the sport.

Timestamps:

01:21 Cocodona 250: A Fan's Perspective
05:27 The Impact of Media on Ultra Running
30:21 Future of Cocodona and Elite Participation
38:56 Influence of Cam Hanes
41:56 Pacing Dynamics in Ultra Running
57:41 Crew Dynamics and Fairness in Racing
01:08:35 Project Cocodona and The Concept of Brand-Funded Teams
01:31:15 The Future of Ultra Running Events, Innovative Relay Concepts in Ultra Running
01:35:49 Exploring Name Trends in Ultra Running
01:46:44 Marketing Strategies for Trail Running Regions

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 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/)

Additional Links:

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

Support the show

Breaking Down Team USA’s 2025 Long Trail Strategy May 01, 2025

Show notes

Tom Hooper joins the show to publicly announce and analyze the men's and women's long trail teams that will represent the USA at the World Trail Championships in Canfranc, Spain, this September.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:09 Selection Race Controversies, The Future of Selection Races
08:05 Team Composition: Women's Team Overview
12:16 Team Composition: Men's Team Overview
16:39 Building a Strong Team
19:47 Advice for Future Athletes, Future Race Selection Process

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 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/)

Additional Links:

Follow Team USA
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show

2025 Cocodona 250 Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at this year’s Cocodona 250.

Timestamps:

(0:00) - Cocodona 250 hype, general conversation
(27:58) - Course analysis
(45:41) - Women's field preview
(72:56) - Men's field preview

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 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/)

Additional Links:

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

Support the show

Inside My 2025 Cocodona 250 Game Plan Apr 26, 2025

Show notes

This is a crossover podcast from the Conversational Pace YouTube channel (hosted by my good friend, Brett Hornig) in which we talk about my gear, nutrition, and overall strategy for the 2025 Cocodona 250.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro
2:21 Gear from 2024 you won’t be using in 2025
6:58 Starting pack of choice
13:04 Starting shoe of choice
18:09 Gaiters or no gaiters?
19:34 Need to be fit enough to play the game
22:00 What makes the first day interesting
24:13 Day two
25:36 Lighting choices
27:33 Day two shoes
33:24 Poles
35:08 Significant mid-race gear pivots from last year
40:28 Final miles of the course
47:52 The 2025 Cocodona crew

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

Support the show

Who’s Getting The Golden Tickets at the Canyons 100K? (2025 Preview) Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling return to the Singletrack Podcast to preview the final golden ticket chase for the 2025 Western States 100 at this weekend’s Canyons 100K in Auburn, CA.
Six golden tickets are up for grabs, with standout athletes like Marianne Hogan, Anthony Costales, Hannes Namberger, Katie Asmuth, and Erin Clark adding serious depth to the competition.
They discuss recent administrative updates surrounding the event—including its new status as a "super" golden ticket race, the lack of a live stream, and its recently revoked designation as the Americas Major in the UTMB World Series.

They also break down how the course and weather could impact the outcome before diving into the women’s and men’s fields and sharing their podium picks and golden ticket predictions.

*Note - we recorded this episode 9 days before the race, so we apologize in advance for not being able to factor last-minute entrants between then and now into our analysis and predictions.

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: