Singletrack

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

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Ragna Debats a professional trail and ultra runner for Merrell based in Spain preparing for her race at the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100 miler this weekend.Timestamps:(0:23) - entry into trail and ultrarunning(3:18) - competing at an elite level in mid-40s(4:44) - keys to success at races like TGC, Istria, and Nice Cote D'Azure this year(6:16) - motivation to race Cape Town this year(9:33) - expectations, goals for the race(10:24) - working with Merrell, barefoot runningLinks:Follow Ragna on InstagramAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#162 - Ragna Debats | 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 InterviewSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Robbie Simpson is a professional trail runner for Adidas Terrex based in Banchory, Scotland preparing for the 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town 55K.Timestamps:(0:41) - training opportunities in northeast Scotland(1:45) - thoughts on pro athlete lifestyle(2:27) - whether there's a training and racing formula for the Golden Trail Series(4:02) - toughest competitors he's ever faced(6:01) - whether you can race these distances purely off fitness or whether mental toughness is needed(7:24) - interests in Ultra Trail Cape Town(8:42) - thoughts on race series(9:39) - preparation for Cape Town(12:54) - if and when he'll move up in distance in the sportLinks:Follow Robbie on InstagramFollow Robbie on StravaAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#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!Hillary Allen is a professional trail and ultra runner for Brooks based in Boulder, Colorado preparing for the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100 Miler.Timestamps:(0:37) - thinking in terms of season-long goals(3:17) - investing more in the 100 mile distance(4:32) - inspiration to race Cape Town (7:07) - research, knowledge of the race(8:48) - training heading into the race(12:09) - goals, expectations for the race(15:01) - race day gearLinks:Follow Hillary on InstagramFollow Hillary on StravaAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#39 - Hillary Allen | Brooks Running, Out And Back, Recovery Process Mindset, 2022 UTMBSupport the show