Crack A Brew With AJW Finn Melanson: Special Year End Episode with Ultrarunner of the Year and other tributes
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Dec 27, 2025 
Finn Melanson, host and producer of the Singletrack podcast, joins for a spirited year-end review of ultrarunning. They discuss standout performances and nominees for Rookie of the Year, with a focus on athletes like Ann Flower. The duo debates pivotal DNFs and how they factor into awards. They analyze remarkable races by Caleb Olson and Jim Walmsley, showcase their picks for the most inspirational people, and share their thoughts on upcoming course records. Finn reflects on his passion for Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness and its significance in his running journey.
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Episode notes
Beverages Open The Show
- Finn drinks a coffee cream ale from Kytos Brewing during the episode.
- Andy drinks Breakside's Bayside IPA and they toast at the start.
Year-End Awards Frame The Conversation
- The hosts use year-end awards to spotlight athletes beyond headline wins and to spark debate about criteria.
- Categories include Ultra Runner, Performance, Rookie, Surprise, FKT, Film, and Most Inspirational.
Weighing DNFs In Modern Racing
- Finn emphasizes race frequency and consistent high-quality results as key valuation factors.
- He gives less penalty to DNFs when athletes target many elite races in a season.