The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman Ruth Croft & Francesco Puppi | #2 Trail Runner of the Year
Jan 9, 2026
Ruth Croft, a legendary New Zealand ultrarunner known for her multiple major race victories, and Francesco Puppi, an up-and-coming Italian talent with a stellar 2025 season, share their inspiring journeys. Ruth reflects on her epic win at UTMB and the importance of Vipassana meditation for recovery and mindset. Francesco details his best season yet, his approach to training, and his excitement for debuting at Western States. They both celebrate the growth of trail running in Asia and share personal milestones that illuminate their extraordinary lives.
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Season-Defining Performances Across Distances
- Ruth Croft's 2025 season showed range across distances culminating in an UTMB win and victories at Tarawera and MaXi Race 60k.
- Francesco Puppi dominated mid-distance with nine races and six wins, including Canyons 100K and CCC.
Exhausting Post-UTMB Travel
- Ruth Croft described a frantic post-UTMB period of travel that left her exhausted by the time she returned to New Zealand.
- She used the downtime to land, unpack, and enjoy slower life with family and friends.
Use Meditation To Reset And Reduce Reactivity
- Ruth Croft uses 10-day Vipassana retreats to downregulate her nervous system and reset after big seasons.
- Try using meditation to create mental space between triggers and reactions during races and life.
