Singletrack

Finn Melanson

Singletrack is a podcast covering the professional trail and ultrarunning scene.

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Deportes

Episodios

Andrew Drummond | White Mountains Direttissima FKT
19-07-2025
Andrew Drummond | White Mountains Direttissima FKT
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Andrew Drummond returns to the Singletrack Podcast, this time to recount his latest adventure: setting a Fastest Known Time on the White Mountains Direttissima, one of New England's iconic multi-day routes. We explore the aesthetics of the route, what inspired him to return after his previous attempts in 2016 and 2024, his strategies around gear, nutrition, rest, and the execution that led to his new record. Additionally, we discuss the New England trail running scene, John Kelly's recent Appalachian Trail activity, the stylistic differences between supported and unsupported FKTs, and the segment challenges sponsored by Run The Whites. It's always great catching up with Andrew—hope you enjoy the conversation!Timestamps:00:00 Reconnecting After Three Years09:06 White Mountains Direttissima20:48 Gear Evolution and Preparation for the Route45:30 Mental and Physical Challenges of Multi-Day Hiking52:29 Personality Types in Multi-Day Adventures01:01:40 Training for Multi-Day Efforts01:14:46 Kilian Jornet's Potential Impact on the Northeast01:17:29 Shifts in FKT Strategies on the Appalachian Trail01:41:21 Underappreciated Routes in the White MountainsPartners:Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (https://www.gorewear.com/) to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)Additional Links:Follow Andrew on Instagram, YouTube, White Mountain Ski CoFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show
Western States in Transition? What’s Next for the Iconic 100-Miler (Topher Gaylord Interview)
18-07-2025
Western States in Transition? What’s Next for the Iconic 100-Miler (Topher Gaylord Interview)
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Topher Gaylord is the newly appointed President of the Western States Endurance Run—arguably the most iconic ultramarathon in the world. A seven-time WSER finisher, Topher brings decades of experience in global outdoor industry leadership and a deep well of insight from more than 75 ultramarathons run across the globe.In this conversation, we discuss:– The direction he wants to steer Western States in– His views on the Golden Ticket Series and how it’s evolving– How he processed recent controversies with UTMB– The tension between commercialization and community in trail running– What excites him most about the future of the sportWe also talk about his upcoming keynote at TrailCon and how he plans to honor the rich legacy of WSER while preparing it for what’s next.Partners:Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)Additional Links:Follow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, TwitterFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show
Scott Jurek on Racing, Retirement, and What Comes Next
09-07-2025
Scott Jurek on Racing, Retirement, and What Comes Next
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!In this live pre-race episode of the Singletrack Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Scott Jurek back to the show—recorded in-person from our studio in Olympic Valley, CA, just days before the 2025 Western States 100.For many, Scott needs no introduction. A seven-time winner of Western States, bestselling author, and true icon of the sport, his impact on trail and ultrarunning is undeniable. But this conversation goes far beyond race results and podiums.We explore the evolution of the Western States 100, how the atmosphere, competition, and culture of the race have changed since his last win here in 2005, and what he notices most when returning to the event now as a mentor, supporter, and observer.Scott also opens up about his day-to-day life in the sport today—how he stays involved, what his professional pursuits look like post-competition, and what’s still fueling his fire. Plus, we revisit some of the emotional terrain we covered in our 2024 conversation: athletic identity, the process of letting go, and how to maintain joy and purpose in the sport long after your competitive peak.Partners:Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)Additional Links:Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show
Jim Walmsley Returns to Talk Western States, Course Records, and the Next Era
02-07-2025
Jim Walmsley Returns to Talk Western States, Course Records, and the Next Era
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Jim Walmsley returns to the Singletrack Podcast for a live, in-person conversation from our Olympic Valley, CA studio during Western States week—only this time, he’s not lining up to race.In this exclusive interview, Jim opens up about his decision to bow out of the 2025 Western States 100, offering insight into what went into that choice and where his mind and body are at as one of the most iconic runners in the sport. Whether it’s lingering fatigue, long-term goals, or a strategic reset, Jim shares what fans need to know.We also talk about the future: Will he be back at Western States in 2026 or beyond? What would it take to pull him back to the start line in Olympic Valley? And what does he still hope to accomplish at this race?In the second half of the conversation, Jim brings his deep course knowledge and competitive experience to bear in analyzing this year’s men’s field. Who are the biggest threats? What splits might signal a historic performance? Are we on the cusp of seeing another course record—or perhaps a completely new racing style emerge?Jim is not just a generational athlete, but also one of the sharpest minds in ultrarunning. This episode is part reflection, part analysis, and part look forward—an essential conversation for anyone invested in the past, present, and future of the Western States 100.Partners:Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)Additional Links:Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show
Des Linden: Is Her Trail Running Chapter Just Beginning?
27-06-2025
Des Linden: Is Her Trail Running Chapter Just Beginning?
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Des Linden joins us live in Olympic Valley the week before the 2025 Western States 100 for a wide-ranging conversation about her deepening relationship with the trail and ultrarunning scene.In this episode, we dig into Des's recent adventures off-road — from training with Ruth Croft in New Zealand, to participating in the Western States Training Camp last month, to her pacing duties this year for Joe McConaughy. With each step into the trail world, Des seems to be signaling that this chapter of her career is just getting started.We talk about whether Des envisions a full pivot to trail running, what she still wants to accomplish on the roads (including any future marathons), and how events like Tunnel Hill 50 in November fit into her overall vision for the next few years.Partners:Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)Additional Links:Follow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, TwitterFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show
Is This Marianne Hogan’s Year to Win Western States?
26-06-2025
Is This Marianne Hogan’s Year to Win Western States?
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Marianne Hogan is one of the fiercest and most resilient athletes in the world of ultra-trail running. With podium finishes at both Western States and UTMB, she’s already proven she can perform on the sport’s biggest stages. But that elusive win — that signature victory — still hangs just out of reach.Live from our Olympic Valley studio in the week leading up to the 2025 Western States 100, Marianne sits down to talk about her ongoing pursuit of greatness in a sport where comebacks are often part of the path.In this conversation, we explore what it’s going to take for her to not only return to the Western States podium but to stand on top of it. We ask: Is this the year? And if so, what does she think it will take — physically, mentally, and tactically — to win? Partners:Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)Additional Links:Follow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, TwitterFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show
Underdog No More? Rod Farvard’s Quest After Nearly Toppling Jim Walmsley
24-06-2025
Underdog No More? Rod Farvard’s Quest After Nearly Toppling Jim Walmsley
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Rod Farvard joins the Singletrack Podcast live from our Olympic Valley, CA studio during Western States race week to discuss what it really takes to compete at the highest level in trail and ultrarunning—and why he may be the biggest threat to the Western States crown in 2025.In 2024, Rod turned heads by going toe-to-toe with one of the sport’s greatest athletes, Jim Walmsley, at the Western States 100. His fearless front-running and relentless pace put him on the radar of fans and competitors alike. Now, with another year of focused training, refined systems, and added motivation, Rod returns with something to prove—not just that he belongs, but that he’s ready to win.In this conversation, we dive deep into the mindset and lifestyle of a modern pro trail runner. Rod pulls back the curtain on the level of commitment and precision it takes to not just go pro, but stay pro. We explore the pressures of high-stakes racing, the tactical demands of the Western States course, and how he's evolved as an athlete over the past 12 months.Partners:Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)Additional Links:Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show
What It Really Takes to Go Pro in Trail Running — with Sally McRae
24-06-2025
What It Really Takes to Go Pro in Trail Running — with Sally McRae
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Sally McRae joins the Singletrack Podcast live from our Olympic Valley, CA studio in the days leading up to the 2025 Western States 100 for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation.In this episode, we explore what it really takes to go pro in trail and ultrarunning—beyond the podiums, Strava segments, and sponsorship deals. Sally shares the lesser-told story of building a sustainable career in the sport, from early sacrifices to developing her voice as both an athlete and a creator. As one of the few pro runners who has built a loyal community through content, coaching, and entrepreneurship, Sally offers a blueprint for what the modern trail athlete can become.We also discuss her role at this year’s TrailCon, where she’s set to speak about the evolving intersection between athletic identity and personal branding. Sally is a thoughtful voice on how athletes can—and must—take control of their stories in the social media era, and why the future of trail running belongs as much to storytellers as it does to speedsters.Partners:Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)Additional Links:Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and CoachingFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show
Dylan Bowman: Trail Running at a Crossroads?
24-06-2025
Dylan Bowman: Trail Running at a Crossroads?
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Dylan Bowman returns to the Singletrack Podcast for a wide-ranging, in-person conversation from our Olympic Valley, CA studio just days before the 2025 Western States 100.As the founder of Freetrail and a key figure behind TrailCon, Dylan has spent the last few years shaping the conversation around what trail and ultrarunning can—and should—become. In this episode, we dive deep into the evolution of the sport, how media and storytelling are influencing the culture, and what role platforms like Freetrail play in that transformation.We also discuss Dylan’s role as a lead broadcaster for the Western States 100 live stream, what goes into bringing the race to a global audience, and how coverage has evolved since his own racing days. With one foot in the athlete camp and the other in media and community-building, Dylan brings a nuanced perspective on where the sport is heading.Partners:Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)Additional Links:Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and CoachingFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show