Singletrack

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, YoutubeFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and CoachingFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show

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/)Support the show

Rachel Entrekin, a professional trail and ultrarunner celebrated for her 200-mile performances, shares her insights on the evolution of racing strategies. She details how high mileage training has changed, emphasizing the importance of time on feet. Rachel discusses the shift to full-time running, highlighting self-care as a priority. She reflects on her Cocodona 250 victory and the competitive dynamics of gender categories. With advice for 200-mile newbies, she underscores the need for aggressive racing starts and optimizing performance in a rapidly evolving sport.

The hosts tackle whether Hardrock is 'cooked' and discuss lottery issues and transparency in race selections. They explore the merits of separate starts at races like UTMB and how it influences race dynamics. With the World Trail Majors losing two races, they delve into its purpose and the potential for exciting matchups and sponsorship strategies. The conversation also highlights innovative training technology and data, along with personal race preferences, to paint a vivid picture of the evolving trail running landscape.

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 sportPartners: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

Jeff Pelletier, a renowned running filmmaker and YouTube creator, shares insights into David Roche's game-changing approach to trail running content. He discusses how Roche's personal brand and compelling narrative arcs captivated audiences. Jeff emphasizes the power of relatable stories, including failures, over traditional highlight reels. He critiques why many brands miss the mark on YouTube and highlights successful athlete-driven channels. Expect trends towards TV-style storytelling to evolve endurance sports media further.

Leah Yingling, an esteemed ultrarunning commentator, joins the discussion to reflect on the transformative year of 2025 in ultrarunning. They analyze the biggest storylines, from the rise of elite athlete agents to media trends like Substack. The group celebrates breakthrough performances from newcomers and highlights dramatic race moments that left fans buzzing. Leah also delves into evolving training trends and the impact of technology in the sport, all while pondering what these changes mean for the future of ultrarunning.

Scott Hickenlooper, producer for Massif Running, joins to share exciting news about the acquisition of the Antelope Island Buffalo Run, a beloved trail race in Utah. They discuss preserving the race's unique spirit while enhancing the participant experience. The legacy of founder Jim Skaggs is honored as they outline race distances and the pause of the 100-mile category for 2026. Hickenlooper also highlights the stunning geography of Antelope Island and plans for community engagement and partnerships to ensure a vibrant running culture.

In this engaging discussion, neuroscientist Scott Frey, who coaches endurance athletes, delves into the pivotal role of the brain in ultrarunning. He explains how the central governor theory limits performance before physical failure and highlights the importance of mental traits like willpower and emotion regulation. Scott emphasizes the risks of data overload from wearables and advocates for training cognitive skills under fatigue. He also discusses the interplay of CNS fatigue and racing preparation, suggesting innovative strategies to optimize performance and recovery.

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 Running05:10 Exploring the Role of Technology in Training08:12 The Future of Coaching in the Age of AI10:59 Urban Design and Run Commuting14:08 The Impact of Analytics on Sports20:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Running31:44 The Complexity of Commitment in Sports37:11 The Luddite Perspective on Modernity38:55 Sketches of Meaningful Lives43:12 Post-Traumatic Growth and Resilience45:54 Ambition vs. Spiritual Awakening53:32 Exploring Off-the-Beaten-Path Races57:42 Influencing Public Figures in Ultra RunningPartners: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 GroundFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show