The Buzz

At this year’s UTMB, it wasn’t just about who won, it was about what the event has become. In this episode of The Buzz, host Buzz Burrell talks with longtime running journalist Brian Metzler about the transformation of UTMB Week into the sport’s most competitive race series, biggest trade show, and all-out cultural festival. From Jim Walmsley’s sprint finish at OCC, to Courtney Dauwalter’s gritty 10th-place finish at UTMB, to Ruth Croft’s commanding win, Buzz and Brian break down the racing itself before zooming out to ask what all the brand activations, media attention, and 175 million livestream views mean for the future of trail running. Thanks to Arc'teryx for supporting the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, check out the rest of the UltraSignup Podcast Network. The Trailhead with Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard brings humor, heart, and a love of running culture to every episode, and Between Two Pines offers offbeat, laugh-out-loud conversations with Dom Grossman and Andy Pearson. And now, both The Buzz and The Trailhead are on YouTube, so you can listen on the run or watch from home.

Take our listener survey! What does it take to thrive at the top of ultrarunning today? In this episode of The Buzz, Buzz Burrell sits down with Jeff Mogavero, fresh off his blazing Western States debut and heading into UTMB, to talk about how training has evolved from “just running when it feels good” to heat chambers, high-carb fueling, and precision hydration. Jeff shares the story of running in 110°F rooms with his pacer “Peanut,” experimenting with 150 grams of carbs per hour, and why European races feel like the Tour de France compared to the costumed chaos of U.S. aid stations. He also reflects on directing his grassroots race in Missoula, balancing community with professional ambitions, and why UTMB still “has his soul.” From croissants in Chamonix to chainsaw-wielding fans at Sierre-Zinal, this is a wide-ranging conversation about what’s changing, and what still grounds the sport we love. Thanks to Arc'Teryx for supporting The Buzz!

Take our listener survey! It only takes five minutes, and you help us make better podcasts.  Adventure runner Fritz Sitte isn’t chasing podiums, he’s chasing experiences. In this episode of The Buzz, Fritz joins Buzz Burrell to share the story of his 6,400-mile, eight-month run from Cape Town to the northern tip of Africa, completed alongside his brother on a bicycle. They talk about the challenges of covering a continent without motorized support, the life lessons learned from protecting their relationship on the road, and why lowering your boundaries (and your pace) can lead to deeper cultural connections.  Fritz also gives a preview of his next big project: running the length of Germany to set an FKT while raising money for refugee education, plus a possible attempt in the Atacama Desert. Along the way, they dig into the philosophy of “meaningful meaninglessness,” the value of strength training for long efforts, and why you don’t have to run 100K a day to make a journey run worthwhile. If you’ve ever dreamed about ditching the race bib for an open-ended adventure, this conversation might just convince you to take that first step. Thanks to Arc'teryx for supporting The Buzz!

Take our listener survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCgLdj8-92G_pLDxkPfuJ0-r477MzZPieRx_qlj1cmP2oybA/viewform?usp=header Trail running is evolving fast—and this episode takes you inside that transformation. Recorded live at TrailCon, host Buzz Burrell sits down with four unique voices shaping the sport: David Callahan, co-CEO of UltraSignup, on why “Tahoe Trail Week” could be America’s answer to Chamonix. Shane Ohly, UK race director, on adventure, jeopardy, and the self-navigation ethos of events like the Dragon’s Back. Matt Walsh, media analyst and author of the TrailMix newsletter, on the Golden Trail Series’ TV deal and how athlete-driven storytelling is reshaping the narrative. Doug Mayer, author and founder of Run the Alps, with insights into the cultural quirks and traditions of European racing. From stage races without aid stations to TV-friendly “flower course” formats, this conversation dives into how trail running is growing, changing, and still finding its soul. Special thanks to Wahoo for supporting this episode—helping athletes train smarter and adventure farther. And thanks to UltraSignup for powering The Buzz. Ready for your next race? Find it at UltraSignup.com.

Be part of shaping the future of UltraSignup podcasts. Share your feedback in our quick listener survey.  This episode of The Buzz is a special one. Recorded at TrailCon in Palisades Tahoe—wedged between Broken Arrow and Western States, Buzz Burrell sits down with four powerhouse women shaping the future of trail and ultrarunning. These aren’t just elite athletes and insiders; they’re advocates, leaders, and storytellers working to redefine what inclusion, equity, and longevity look like in the sport. Buzz chats with: Anna Frost, a pioneer of professional trail running, who reflects on the early days of sponsorship (free shoes!), standing up for equal prize money, and what it means to have longevity in the sport after motherhood. Kelly Newlon, founder of RAD Boulder and athlete agent, who breaks down how contract negotiations are evolving for women and why authenticity, not follower count, is driving the next wave of professional sponsorship. Karen Merlin, UTMB World Series comms director, who outlines UTMB’s progressive policies on pregnancy, broadcast equity, and women’s visibility, and why growing participation isn’t just about signing up, but being invited in. Hillary Allen, trail running veteran and US team qualifier, who offers a grounded look at what elite racing means for the rest of us—and why the “core” of the sport isn’t just the fastest runners, but the everyday athletes building the community from the ground up. From podium protests to pregnancy clauses, this episode goes deep on the real forces shifting the landscape of trail running, and why everyone has a role to play. Subscribe to The Buzz for real talk with the people behind the biggest shifts in our sport. New episodes drop every other Tuesday, alternating with The Trailhead with Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard. 🎙 Got feedback or a guest idea? Email Buzz at buzz@ultrasignup.com.

Be part of shaping the future of UltraSignup podcasts. Share your feedback in our quick listener survey.  In this episode of The Buzz, Buzz Burrell and friend  Hilary Allen sit down with Meghan Hicks—ultrarunner, editor-in-chief of iRunFar, and president of the Hardrock 100 board, to unpack how trail and ultrarunning are changing. They dive into the sport’s major growth spurts, the shifting role of media and brands, why the obsession with 100 miles might be overrated, and how trail running’s anti-commercial roots clash and coexist with its rising popularity. Meghan shares why independent journalism at iRunFar still matters, how the team has adapted from live tweeting to the modern media landscape, and what keeps her excited as a runner. She also talks fueling, super shoes, and her upcoming return to the 100-mile distance at Scout Mountain.  Big thanks to Wahoo Kickr for supporting this conversation and helping us bring these important stories to life. This treadmill is the closest you can get to running trail indoors! If you’re curious about where trail running has been, and where it’s headed, this episode is a must-listen.

David Roche might be known as the apostle of carbs, but there’s much more to him than mid-race fueling math. In this conversation with Buzz Burrell, David opens up about the deeper forces that shape his running, coaching, and outlook on life. From nearly dying in a bike accident to experiencing depression and ultimately a powerful shift in perspective, David shares how mortality, vulnerability, and joy have become his most important performance tools. He talks candidly about the power of radical empathy—why he responds with love even to internet trolls—and how that mindset connects to his approach to coaching and competition. Thanks to Wahoo for supporting The Buzz! Check out the best-ever treadmill for trail runners. They also get into the science of what’s working right now in endurance sports: high-carb fueling, extreme hydration strategies, and heat training. David breaks down how the peloton revolutionized fueling practices, why hydration needs are more individual than most athletes realize, and what he's doing to push the envelope at Western States. He explains how these marginal gains stack up, why they matter (and why they sometimes don’t), and why transparency—not secrecy—is the path forward for the sport.

Riley Brady is having one hell of a season. In this episode of The Buzz, host Buzz Burrell sits down with one of the hottest names in ultrarunning just weeks before they line up at Western States. Fresh off course record wins at the Black Canyon 100K and Quad Rock 50 Mile—not to mention a scorching-fast victory at the Javelina 100—Riley shares what’s working, what they’ve learned, and how they’re keeping the momentum rolling into one of the most prestigious races in the sport. From dialing in nutrition to choosing VaporFlys for the trails, Riley breaks down the decisions and strategies that make the difference. We get into heat training (hello, 200-degree sauna), fueling mishaps and fixes, and why shoe weight might matter more than grip when it comes to speed. Thanks to Wahoo for supporting The Buzz! Check out the best ever treadmill for trail runners.  Topics include: How Riley stopped puking mid-race (mostly) The hydration-first fueling strategy that changed everything Why VaporFlys aren’t just for road runners Passive vs. active heat training—and why Riley thrives in the sauna Inclusivity in ultrarunning The decade-long path from college trail runs to elite podiums Whether you're deep in your own build or just love hearing what makes top athletes tick, this episode is full of insight, candor, and real talk from one of ultrarunning’s rising stars. 🎧 Subscribe to The Buzz for grounded takes and great conversations with the people shaping the future of trail running.

Join John Kelly, an ultrarunner and data scientist known for his impressive Barkley finishes and family life, as he shares his insights on extreme endurance challenges. He discusses the mental resilience required to tackle the Barkley Marathons and the significance of failure in growth. John also shares his strategy and logistical planning for breaking the Appalachian Trail FKT. With a refreshing perspective on flexible training and support systems, listeners will gain a unique understanding of balancing family and intense athletic pursuits.

🎉 Shoutout to our sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Dirtbag Bar—real fuel made with real food. No mystery syrups, no gut bombs, just tasty, trail-tested ingredients. Get 20% off with code ULTRADIRTBAG20 at checkout. Trail and ultrarunning have never had more reach and attention. In this episode of The Buzz, host Buzz Burrell sits down with Brian Metzler, founding editor of Trail Runner Magazine, longtime gear tester, and one of the most prolific journalists in the sport. Together, they trace the rise and fall of endurance media, from the golden era of print to the digital Wild West. Brian reflects on his recent layoff from Outside Run, what makes storytelling in trail running so vital, and how social media has disrupted—and occasionally deepened—our sense of community. Along the way, Buzz and Brian tackle everything from super shoes to calorie myths to doping in ultras, before closing with a rapid-fire round of hot takes and trail weirdness. Then, journalist and co-host of The Trailhead podcast Zoë Rom joins Buzz for a debrief on the future of running media. Drawing on her own experience as the final editor-in-chief of Trail Runner Magazine, Zoë offers her take on the rise of personality-driven content, the commodification of attention, and why we all have to vote with our attention—and our clicks—if we want to keep real storytelling alive.