The Buzz

The 44th annual Ultrarunner of the Year Awards are in, and this year delivered one of the deepest fields of women's performances in the history of the award. Buzz Burrell talks with John "Tropical John" Medinger, who has administered the vote when he took over Ultrarunning Magazine (sold in 2024 to Jamil Coury), about the full results, the voting process, and what made 2025 such a standout year. Katie Schide won North American Female Ultrarunner of the Year after victories at Hard Rock (course record), the World Long Trail Championship, and Madeira. Jim Walmsley took the men's title with four wins, including Chianti Castles, where he beat Kilian Jornet. Meg Eckert's 603-mile six-day world record earned Performance of the Year for women, while Charlie Lawrence's 6:07:10 100K on the track (sub-six-minute pace) took the men's honors. John and Buzz discuss how the voting works, why Western States results carry so much weight, the new World Ultrarunner of the Year category, and the endless debate of comparing trail times to track performances. They also touch on Courtney Dauwalter's challenging year, the case for Ann Flower and Caleb Olson, and why some impressive performances still fall short of the top 10. TIMESTAMPS: :00 Intro 1:40 Meet John Medinger 3:08 How the Ultrarunner of the Year Award works 10:04 Top 3 Female Ultrarunners of 2025 14:23 Katie Schide's dominant year 17:00 Top 3 Male Ultrarunners of 2025 21:00 Jim Walmsley's undefeated season 27:42 Performance of the Year: Meg Eckert's 603 miles 33:07 Why track performances won this year 42:11 World Ultrarunner of the Year results 46:58 Controversies and debates 52:16 The future of the award

Ski mountaineering is about to have its moment, and if you're a trail runner, you should be paying attention. Skimo shares DNA with our sport: the relentless uphill effort, the technical descents, the mountain culture, and a surprising number of athletes who race both. After decades as a European-dominated discipline, skimo makes its Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. Nikki LaRochelle joins Buzz to break down what skimo is and why trail runners should care. A longtime skimo racer and ultrarunner, with finishes at San Juan Solstice 50 and Canyon de Chelly, Nikki famously Photoshopped herself into a broadcast booth four years ago, manifesting a future she wasn't sure she'd ever reach. This February, she'll be the technical commentator for the Olympic Broadcasting System. She walks listeners through what makes skimo racing so tactically complex: the transitions, the boot packs, the skinning, and the descents that punish any lapse in focus. Then Cam Smith, one half of Team USA's mixed relay duo alongside Anna Gibson, shares what it's like to prepare for the biggest stage in sport. At the Solitude World Cup, Cam and Anna jumped from ranked 13th to first, proving they can compete with anyone on their best day. Cam talks about the mental game, the preparation heading into Italy, and chasing the first-ever Olympic medals in skimo history. Buzz floats the idea that they could be the first trail runners to compete in an Olympic Games. The sprint is February 19th, the mixed relay February 21st. This is your primer on a sport that shares more with trail running than you might think.

Buzz previews 2026 with Zoë Rom, coach Scott Johnston, Western States Race Director Craig Thornley, and Allison Mercer of FastestKnownTime.com. The panel digs into the Courtney DauWalter, Tara Dower, Katie Scheide showdown at Hardrock 100 and what the growing competitive depth in women's ultrarunning actually tells us (spoiler: progress is real, but parity isn't here yet). Scott Johnston makes the case for AI and data analysis in elite pacing—and explains why it all goes out the window by mile 80. Craig Thornley shares updates on Western States' multi-year Granite Chief Wilderness trail reroute and weighs in on whether rising prize purses at Broken Arrow and Gorge Waterfalls signal a real shift in how the sport operates. The conversation spans the backyard ultra phenomenon, crossover athletes moving between road and trail, and the grassroots running boom powering the whole thing from below. Zoë asks the pointed question: does ultrarunning have a pipeline for its next generation of stars, or are we five retirements away from a charisma crisis? And what would it take for athletes and media to stop producing what she calls "room temperature vanilla ice cream" content?

Can a sport built on dirtbag ethos survive the arrival of real money? In this end-of-year special, Buzz gathers Zoë Rom, coach Scott Johnston, Western States race director Craig Thornley, and FKT manager Allison Mercer to make sense of 2025. They dig into the paradox of professionalization, $275 super shoes, UTMB live broadcasts, Ironman private equity, while Zoë points to the data that says the grassroots still holds: only 1.7% of trail runners actually race, backyard ultras are booming, and FKTs remain just you and a GPS watch. Scott Johnston talks weighted vest training and speaks with rare compassion about the CCC doping scandal. Craig reveals Killian is returning to Western States in 2026 and announces the historic rule change allowing poles after 53 years, driven not by elite concerns but by accessibility for the back of the pack. Allison celebrates a year of dominant women's performances, while Zoë asks the uncomfortable questions about OnlyFans sponsorships: why is it easier for a platform associated with adult content to support female athletes than it is for endemic brands? And Buzz wonders, when did vomiting and hallucinating become something to brag about? Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 01:24 – Zoë Rom on the paradox of professionalization 11:17 – Scott Johnston on training Tom Evans and Ruth Croft 18:40 – Craig Thornley on Western States' historic men's race 27:12 – Allison Mercer on dominant women's performances 38:30 – Zoë on OnlyFans and sponsorship equity 49:18 – Scott on the CCC doping scandal 56:19 – Craig on poles, traction devices, and rule changes 1:00:23 – Chris Myers' scuba mask river crossing 1:04:02 – Buzz on glorifying suffering This episode is brought to you by Arc'teryx. The Norvan 4 Nivalis—full Gore-Tex cover, ankle gaiter, actually dry feet. Learn more at arcteryx.com. The Buzz is part of the UltraSignup Podcast Network. Find all our shows at ultrasignup.com/podcasts.

Camille Herron is the only athlete to win all three IAU Ultra World Championship distances, the only person to win both Comrades and Spartathlon, and the holder of world records from 50 miles to six days. But beyond the numbers, Herron is a scientist with a master's degree in exercise and sports science, a recently diagnosed autistic and ADHD athlete, and someone who has navigated more than her share of controversy. In this wide-ranging conversation with Buzz Burrell, Herron opens up about everything: her unconventional training philosophy of short, frequent runs over grinding long miles; the metabolic testing that revealed her unusual fat oxidation capacity; how neurodivergence has been both a superpower and a challenge in her career; and why, at 43, she's feeling more free and energized than ever, even without sponsors. The conversation doesn't shy away from harder topics. Herron addresses the Wikipedia controversy that cost her the Lululemon partnership, framing it as retaliation for her role as a sports whistleblower who has made multiple reports to USATF and the IAU. She also reflects on watching her records fall to Tara Dower and Caitriona Jennings with genuine enthusiasm, celebrating what she sees as a new era for women in ultrarunning. Whether you're here for the training insights, the fueling science, or the candid discussion of navigating public scrutiny, this episode offers a rare, unfiltered look at one of the most accomplished and polarizing figures in ultrarunning history. FOR MORE CONTEXT: The Wikipedia controversy referenced in this episode was first reported by Canadian Running Magazine in September 2024 and led to coverage in Runner's World, Women's Health, and other outlets. Herron's husband Conor Holt released a statement taking responsibility for the Wikipedia edits. Herron maintains her own account of events on her website.

Molly Seidel, Olympic marathon bronze medalist and elite distance runner, discusses her journey from the road to trails after overcoming injury. She candidly shares the pressure of dropping out of the NYC Marathon, critiques the culture of pain in endurance sports, and reflects on her identity outside of running. Molly dives into the technical challenges of trail running, her goals for the Black Canyon race, and the importance of integrity in sports amid doping concerns. With honesty and humor, she reveals her exciting new chapter in ultra running.

This week on The Buzz, Buzz Burrell sits down in Moab, fresh off the finish of the Moab 240, with newly crowned Triple Crown champion Kilian Korth. In a season that redefined what's possible in ultrarunning, Kilian swept the 200-mile series, Tahoe, Bigfoot, and Moab, setting a new cumulative record and proving that success is built on years of setbacks. He opens up about how pulmonary edema, DNFs, and near-collapse moments became the foundation for his breakout year, why he prioritizes rest and recovery over mileage, and how a six-minute dirt nap can reboot the brain mid-race. From efficient aid-station strategy to fueling exclusively on simple sugars for nearly 60 hours, Kilian breaks down the methodical mindset behind running 200s fast—and the humility it takes to get there. He and Buzz talk sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and the mental games required to stay focused through multiple nights on foot. Plus, Kilian reveals his plans for 2026: the Cocodona 250 and a shot at the Colorado Trail FKT. Whether you're dreaming of your first 100 or fascinated by the world of multi-day racing, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, efficiency, and the art of going long.

Kilian Jornet, a world-class mountain and ultra runner, shares insights from his incredible journey of tackling 72 U.S. 14ers in just 31 days. He details the physical and mental challenges he faced, the intricacies of planning such an ambitious project, and how running with locals enriched his experience. Kilian also reflects on the differences between European and American mountain cultures, the vital importance of public land access, and the enduring connection he feels to nature across the globe.

In this episode of The Buzz, Buzz Burrell sits down with ultrarunning icon and race director Candice Burt, the woman who put 200-mile races on the map. From founding the Triple Crown of 200s to tackling self-supported FKT attempts on Colorado's infamous Nolan's 14, Candice has redefined what "too far" really means. They talk about what it takes to stay awake and moving for days on end, the psychology of pushing beyond comfort, and why even the most seasoned athletes need to respect the line between adventure and danger. Candice opens up about her 200-day streak of running 50Ks, the creation of the Arizona Monster 300, and what she's learned from organizing and rescuing runners in some of the toughest races on Earth. Together, Buzz and Candice explore how sleep, fear, and risk shape performance, and why the most meaningful endurance challenges aren't just about suffering, but about self-reliance, courage, and curiosity. Thanks to Arc'teryx for supporting The Buzz!

Public lands are where we run, where our races unfold, and where many of us feel most at home. But what happens when those protections are rolled back? In this episode of The Buzz, Buzz Burrell talks with Kat Baker, Executive Director of Runners for Public Lands, about the fight to keep 58 million acres of Forest Service land under the Roadless Rule, why iconic races like Western States, Wasatch, and Hardrock depend on these protections, and how runners can step up as stewards. Kat shares how RPL is rallying race directors, mapping where courses overlap with roadless areas, and helping runners become partners for land managers under strain. We also explore what runners can learn from climbers and other outdoor groups who've earned their seat at the advocacy table. If you've ever laced up on a forest trail, this conversation is for you. Public lands aren't guaranteed, they're a gift we all share responsibility for. 🔗 Learn more and join RPL: runnersforpubliclands.org 📅 September 28 is National Public Lands Day - free admission to all U.S. National Parks. This episode of The Buzz is presented by Arc'teryx, supporting stewardship and access to the places we run.