Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Andy Wacker is a professional trail runner for Salomon based in Boulder, CO. The focus of our conversation is on Andy’s new organization called the “Trail Team”, which is launching in 2023 to support and develop rising American athletes into the best professional trail runners in the world.Sponsors:Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next orderGnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next orderKodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next orderTimestamps:(1:04) - Andy's background in trail running, what it was like trying to make it as a pro in the sport in the late 2000s and early 2010s(7:21) - reflecting on the drop-off in talent pipeline for post-collegiate athletes in the trail scene(11:21) - where our sport is at now for emerging/aspiring professional athletes(15:31) - assessing the talent gap or opportunity gap for American athletes compared to European and other international trail runners(17:49) - explaining the concept of Andy's "Trail Team" and the services offered (mentorship, skill development, media exposure)(27:30) - business model for the team, interest from potential partners(32:14) - where brands and existing institutions fall short and why Trail Team is well-positioned to solve these problems(36:19) - athlete recruitment to the Trail Team, what they're looking for, goals for 2023(42:55) - whether it's easier to make it professionally as an ultra or sub-ultra trail runner in 2023Guest Links:Follow Andy on InstagramFollow Trail Team on InstagramTrail Team WebsiteSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!In our last episode of 2022 we are talking with Dan Curts, a professional trail runner based in Norwich, VT. This is a wide-ranging conversation in which we talk about the disillusionment that can come about in the collegiate and post-collegiate track and road running worlds, how Dan ultimately landed in the sub-ultra trail racing scene, building a running team in the Northeast and the pros and cons of being an aspiring pro trail runner in this part of the country, and the highs and lows of the  past year trying to make it in the sport.Sponsors:Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderHVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderTimestamps:(1:55) introduction to the trail running scene, specialities, career highlights to date (4:55) running as a vehicle for educational and career opportunities (9:26) pros and cons of collegiate running (13:22) motivations to continue pursuing competitive running post-collegiately (20:57) trail running inspirations(23:04) Northwoods Athletics running team(29:26) the pressure for aspiring east coast trail runners to head west to make it professionally(41:43) lessons of building a running team, reflecting more on the northeast trail scene(52:46) the highs and lows of the last year trying to make it as a pro trail runner(61:21) whether brands are more interested in ultra or sub ultra trail athletes right now(65:23) interesting relationships, conversations with contemporaries in the sport(70:01) racing culture differences across running disciplines(75:41) 2023 racing plansGuest Links:Follow Dan on StravaFollow Dan on InstagramNorthwoods Athletics Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#54 - Garrett Heath | Switch To Trail Running, Pro Lifestyle, Running Teams, Brooks Beasts#26 - Sam Parsons | How To Build A Trail Running Team#12 - Jack Kuenzle | FKT Scene, Sponsored Trail Runners, Brand RelationshipsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Rod Farvard is a professional trail runner based in Mammoth Lakes, CA. He returns to the podcast to reflect on his racing, training, and life events in the second half of 2022. Sponsors:Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderHVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderTimestamps:(0:53) - reflections on UTMB performance(5:25) -  perspective change on ultrarunning(12:36) - traumatic events leading into Doi Inthanon(27:53) - what Rod is hungry for in 2023Links:Follow Rod on InstagramFollow Rod on StravaAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#123 - Rod Farvard | 2022 UTMB Pre-Race Interview#167 - Golden Ticket Talks | Rod Farvard, Canyons 100K 4th Place MaleSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!I am joined by co-hosts Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to recap the year in mountain ultra trail running. We cover our personal highlights, favorite storylines, biggest changes in the sport, the rookie athletes that burst onto the scene, runners that had "comeback" type seasons, our thoughts on all the voting systems out there for ultra runners and trail runners, how we made our own decisions when it came to ranking top athletes, our men's and women's top-10 picks for UROY, and predictions for 2023.  Timestamps:(1:29) - personal highlights from 2022(4:53) - favorite storylines of 2022(12:23) - big changes in the sport this year(19:22) - newcomer/rookie athletes that stood out this year(25:07) - comeback runners of the year(27:17) - thoughts on the Ultrarunner of the Year (UROY) system and the new "Trail Runner of the Year" (TROY) award(42:03) - what factors influenced our rankings for UROY(57:03) - picks for 2022 top-10 women's UROY(74:54) - picks for 2022 top-10 men's UROY(89:26) - predictions for 2023Sponsors:Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderHVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderLinks:Follow Leah Yingling on Instagram and Strava Follow Brett Hornig on Instagram and StravaFollow Finn Melanson on Instagram and StravaSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!What if there was a dedicated event series where brands like Hoka, Salomon, North Face, and Adidas Terrex had the opportunity to showcase the strengths of their teams and exclusively compete against each other across the primary mountain ultra trail running distances?In this episode, I am joined by Dani Moreno, as well as frequent co-hosts Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling, to reflect on Dani's idea for a regular "Battle of the Brands" in our sport. We discuss how teams would be organized, the race distances that would be included, how scoring would work, which teams appear to be the strongest right now, whether athletes, fans, and brands would be interested in this idea, and what we learned about our sport through the research process for this idea.Timestamps:(1:09) - explaining the idea of "Battle of the Brands - the number of runners, events, and brands, how you win, etc(5:52) - what makes this idea exciting(9:30) - brand teams that have the best chance of winning in 2022(18:51) - discussion of proposed Salomon, Hoka, North Face, and Adidas Terrex teams(48:34) - whether athletes would be interested in racing this event(62:48) - whether fans would be interested in following this event(69:09) - what we learned about the sport in the research process for this hypothetical eventSponsors:Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderHVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderLinks:Battle of the Brands Athlete SpreadsheetFollow Dani Moreno on Instagram and StravaFollow Leah Yingling on Instagram and Strava Follow Brett Hornig on Instagram and StravaFollow Finn Melanson on Instagram and StravaSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!We talk about Brett’s new Youtube channel, the first place tie at Ultra Trail Cape Town, UTMB Thailand, the timing of the 2023 World Trail Championships, the idea of no pacers at Western States, and contract season for pro runners.Sponsors:Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderHVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderTimestamps:(1:04) - introducing Brett’s new Youtube channel(11:49) - whether Ultra Trail Cape Town has become the premier end of season ultra (22:58) - golden tickets up for grabs at UTMB Thailand(29:48) - discussing the tie at Ultra Trail Cape Town (44:04) - trying to make sense of the newly announced “ITRA National League”(52:39) - next year’s World Mountain Running Championships (63:50) - talking about contract negotiation season for professional ultrarunners(72:35) - impressive  free agents that could be signed by brands for 2023(73:48) - Strava find of the week (77:15) - debating pacers at Western StatesLinks:Check out Conversational Pace on YoutubeCheck out Conversational Pace on InstagramFollow Brett on InstagramFollow Finn on InstagramAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#140 - Long Run Archives #7 | Olympic Ultra Running, UTMB World Series, Race Coverage Ideas, Agents#104 - Long Run Archives #6 | Future of Trail Running Content, USATF Debates, Unusual Athlete Sponsorships, Joe Gray Versus Kilian Jornet#94 - Long Run Archives #5 | Western States Reactions, Zach Miller Return, Arizona Trail Duel#72 - Long Run Archives #4 | Cocodona 250, Mammoth Trail Fest, Super Shoe Influences, Strava Finds#62 - Long Run Archives #3 | Betting In Ultrarunning, Next Great Trail Running Towns, Golden Ticket Series Ideas#53 - Long Run Archives #2 | Ultrarunning Analytics, Elite DNF Debate, 3:47 Downhill Mile, Magda What If#43 - Long Run Archives #1 | Jim Walmsley What Ifs, Black Canyon 100K Preview, Full-Time UltrarunningSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!This is a special episode where I am on the other side of the microphone, so to speak. Joe Corcione from the Everyday Ultra Podcast had me on his show about a month ago and I agreed to repost the conversation here as well. We talk about how I got into trail running, how I got into the media corner of our sport, the pitch for Salt Lake City, and  end on some philosophical notes.  Discounts:Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderHVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next orderTimestamps:(4:03) - my story getting into trail and ultrarunning(23:39) - how and why I started Singletrack(58:59) - pitching the Salt Lake City trail scene (65:11) - self-actualization, final thoughtsLinks:Everyday Ultra PodcastSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!In this episode, I am joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to preview the 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town 100K. We analyze the course, talk about what it's going to take to be successful, note some of the interesting storylines around the event, and make our predictions for the female and male top-5 finishers this year.Timestamps:(0:30) - catching up with Leah and Brett on their recent performances at the 80K World Championships and Javelina Jundred (4:44) - initial impressions about Ultra Trail Cape Town before we did our research, got to know the course/people/scene(7:49) - thoughts on why Cape Town has stayed relevant despite the growth of UTMB World Series, etc(16:16) - schedule, live coverage, race features, etc(24:37) - course analysis(36:52) - women’s field contenders, storylines, predictions(52:48) - men’s field contenders, storylines, predictions(72:46) - 100 mile and 55K race contenders, storylines(79:35) - final thoughtsLinks:Follow Brett Hornig on InstagramFollow Leah Yingling on InstagramUltra Trail Cape Town live race coverageAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#165 - Elov Olsson | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#164 - Ragna Debats | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#163 - Nicole Bitter | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#162 - Robbie Simpson | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#161 - Olivia Amber | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#160 - Hillary Allen | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#159 - Jared Hazen | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#158 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#157 - Anton Krupicka | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race InterviewSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Elov Olsson is a professional trail and ultra runner for Hoka based in Sweden preparing for his race at the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100 miler this weekend.Timestamps:(0:23) - entry into trail and ultra running(1:40) - lifestyle in Sweden(3:22) - friendship with the Coconino Cowboys(4:43) - training since the 100K World Championships (6:29) - returning to Cape Town after a podium finish a few years ago in the 100K(7:46) - goals, expectations for the race(8:53) - race day gearLinks:Follow Elov on InstagramFollow Elov on StravaAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#162 - Robbie Simpson | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#159 - Jared Hazen | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#158 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race InterviewSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Nicole Bitter is a professional trail and ultra runner for Altra based in Austin, TX preparing for her race at the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100K this weekend.Timestamps:(0:26) - balancing two professional careers(2:00) - reflecting on barely missing golden ticket at Javelina(4:37) - handling a quick turnaround from Javelina to Cape Town(6:36) - international racing experience(7:40) - training for mountainous races in Austin(9:28) - goals for Cape Town(11:00) - whether she’ll race for another golden ticket in the winter/spring(11:57) - race day gearLinks:Follow Nicole on InstagramAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#161 - Olivia Amber | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#160 - Hillary Allen | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race InterviewSupport the show