This week we're opening the much anticipated registration for Beast of Big Creek. Who better to help me launch all this than the person who reached out first when I wanted to get Beast on the radar of The International Skyrunning Federation. Ryan Kerrigan is the executive director of Skyrunning USA and on Singletrack we chat about the history of skyrunning and the process it took to bring the Skyrunner World Seriers back to the US. 2026 will be an exciting time in short and steep trail racing. LINKS Beast of Big Creek Skyrunning USA International Skyrunning Federation Skyrunner World Series Get more: Singletrack.fm Rock Candy Running Trail Running Film Festival Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Nicholas Triolo wrote my favorite book of 2025: 'The Way Around' and he's back on Singletrack to chat about it. We discuss the process of writing, the inspiration for the stories, and what a great travel books are meant to do for the reader. You'll think different about that loop in the woods next time you head out on your run, I promise. LINKS Nicholas's website Nicholas's blog Nicholas's book 'The Way Around' Get more: Singletrack.fm Rock Candy Running Trail Running Film Festival Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Alex Bond joins Singletrack for one last hurrah of 2025 - and yes, I am fully aware that I'm posting this already in 2026. So, a first hurrah of 2026. We're chatting about the world of trail and mountain running over the past year and looking ahead and the new one. Hope it will be a happy one for y'all! LINKS Alex Bond on Strava RE/Run 2025 on Electric Cable Car Get more: Singletrack.fm Rock Candy Running Trail Running Film Festival Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
It's the end of 2025 and I'm joined by special guest Krissi Polentz to chat about this past year in trail running. What stood out? What were the big stories and big misses that shaped out sport and culture? We're taking a look at the players that speak, the businesses that spend money, and the movers that have shape our sport this past year. And of course, we're making some predictions for what this all will mean for the coming one. Happy Holidays and thanks for being part of the ride. LINKS Krissi's website: The Runetarian Krissi on Instagram Cover photo by Mike McMonagle Connect: Singletrack.fm Rock Candy Running Trail Running Film Festival Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Very special guest Morgan Powell joins Singletrack to help me unveil the poster art for the Trail Running Film Festival's Global Tour 2026. We chat about the inspiration behind the artwork and get to know Morgen, the artist and athlete behind it all. LINKS Morgan Powell's design studio: Unthaw.co More of Singletrack on Singletrack.fm. Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your daily source for all things trail running and mountain culture.
Almost exactly a year after Alex Rienzie first chatted with me on Singletrack he's back with an update on the legal case that kept the trail running community on perpetual whiplash for the entire year of 2025. Now with a full pardon in hand, Alex can share what really went down behind the scenes of Michelino Sunseri's FKT run on the Grand Teton. This is a story that takes us way beyond the mountains and the trails and into court rooms and board rooms and yes, all the way to the White House. What a bonkers story that makes one feel like up is down and down is up. LINKS Racing Grand Teton – the film Alex Rienzie on Instagram Alex Rienzie on Singletrack Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Steve joins the show from Bavaria, Germany and we're taking about the sentiment and response in the German trail running community after the announcement from a couple of weeks ago that Zugspitz Ultra Trail would join the UTMB World Series. Steve shares his personal history with the event and his thoughts and concerns about the future of this beloved annual gathering in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. We also chat about his race City & Trail in Alpenstadt on 16. May 2026. An event that previously was a stop of the German National Series of the Golden Trail Series. But even after losing that partnership the event is still growing, and is still attracting top runners from the region. And finally as it is timely we talk about Steve's long held dream to run Western States. With 128 tickets in the lottery, is it his turn this year? LINKS Steve's comments on Zugspitz on Youtube City und Trail 2026 Steve on Singletrack Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
When my friend and almost neighbor ran Western States this past month I knew I had bring the podcast back out of hibernation and have him on the show. Here's my chat with Jan Vleck from Olympia Washington, one of the oldest runners to have ever finished Western States. This one's special. LINKS Jan on Strava Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Marcel Höche is back on the show and he's calling in from Japan with an update on his never ending racing season. We talk what races he's ran in between finishing is masters degree and he gives us an behind the scenes look at his exciting new business venture: Sunn Nutrition, a brand new high carb drink mix. LINKS Marcel on Singletrack Marcel Höche on Instagram SUNN. Nutrition Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
This weekend is a massive weekend of trail racing with several high profile events all over the world. The Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB is happening in Auburn, California, and unlike last year, there's no livestream. I sit down with Jeff Pelletier, king of trail storytelling to discuss the history and the challenges for current version of livestreams and we talk about some ideas on how to move forward. If you're missing sitting the livestream this week, put this conversation in your ears and head out on run. LINKS Jeff Pelletier's website Jeff Pelletier on Instagram Jeff Pelletier on Youtube Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Michael Eaton, Brooks Trailhead store manager and host of the Trail Running Film Festival in Seattle joins me to share his person running journey from cross country in his youth back in Kentucky to this year's training block for OCC in Chamonix. We chat about the challenges of life, the highs and lows that come with that, and the peace that can be found in the dedication to a daily training regiment. Michael also shares some details about the Seattle show of the Trail Running Film Festival. Get your tickets! LINKS TRFF in Seattle Brooks Trailhead Michael Eaton on Instagram Michael Eaton on Strava Brooks Trailhead on Instagram Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Exciting announcement incoming! Rock Candy Running's Beast of Big Creek joins the Vert Running Series for the 2025 season. Scott Sowle is on the show to share the news and give us the details. Let the racing season in the PNW kick off! LINKS Beast of Big Creek Vert Running Series Scott Sowle on Singletrack Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Friend of the show Alex Bond is back and we're chatting about the fate of Outside. The company formerly known as America's best outdoor magazine and now just a shell of itself with lots and lots of tech under the hood. The news about the latest rounds of layoffs paired with the news they are buying another technology provider puzzles us and Alex and I are here to chat about it. This is a requiem of sort. LINKS Outside is Done? Outside Buys More Tech Alex Bond on Singletrack Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
This special episode was made possible through the amazing support from Tailwind Nutrition. Maggie Guterl is back as Singletrack co-host on this second episode of a two-part series dedicated to the wonderful, crazy, and often endlessly long world of Backyard Ultras. This week we chat with Sam Harvey and Harvey Lewis. We take a deeper look at the motivations, strategies and principles that can bring you success at this race format that's growing in popularity all over the world. Talking to these champions of the sport I find myself in awe of what humans are able to achieve… and I find myself scanning UltraSignup for the nearest Backyard Ultra event. Thank you Tailwind for partnering with Singletrack to share the stories of these incredible people of our sport. LINKS Sam Harvey's website Sam Harvey on Instagram Harvey Lewis on Instagram Living Ultra with Harvey and Kelly on Youtube RunUp4Water – Kilimanjaro Backyard Ultra Tailwind Nutrition Part 1: 'Believe in What's Possible', with Fiona Hayvice and Courtney Dauwalter Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
This special episode was made possible through the amazing support from Tailwind Nutrition. Maggie Guterl joins Singletrack as co-host on this first episode of a very special two-part series dedicated to the wonderful, crazy, and often endlessly long world of Backyard Ultras. We bring two champions of the sport, Courtney Dauwalter and Fiona Hayvice to the mic to share insights, strategies, and laughter on how to approach these events, how to master them, and most of all how to have fun at them. Backyard Ultras are popping up everywhere, maybe even nearby where you live, or dare I say, maybe in your backyard? Thank you Tailwind for partnering with Singletrack to share the stories of these incredible voices of our sport. LINKS Fiona Hayvice on Instagram Courtney Dauwalter on Instagram M.A.S.H. Backyard Ultra on Instagram Backyard Ultra Tailwind Nutrition Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
It's the first episode of 2025 and Francesco Puppi, who needs no introduction, joins me for a candid conversation about the state of the trail running media and it's influence on our sport. We also talk about the message behind Nike's ad for the Olympic Games and how a new generation of athletes are redefining what participating and winning in a sport really means. People like Francesco are why our sport is so incredible special. What a way to kick off the new year! LINKS Francesco Puppi on Instagram Francesco Puppi's website That Nike Ad 'Winning isn't for Everyone' Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Tim Tollefson wears many hats and came to Singletrack with important business. Tim is newly on the board of directors for Runners for Public Lands. The environmental organization just recently shared the uncomfortable news that our trails and trail races may be significantly impacted this coming year and beyond by the U.S. Forest Service budget and staffing shortfalls. Luckily for us, Tim is a man with a plan and offers hands on experience, and with that solutions and ideas on how we can get involved. It's high time for trail runners to take action. LINKS Tim Tollefson on Instagram Mammoth Trail Fest website Runner's for Public Lands – Call to Action Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Thomas Reiss is back on Singletrack and back from Bhutan where he supported the runners and race organization of the famous and grueling Snowman Race. We chat about the event, the mission that inspired its founding, and mostly the people and how connecting with other cultures makes us better human beings. Climate change affects us all and we really one have that one rock floating in space we call home. LINKS Thomas Reiss on Instagram Snowman Race Thomas Reiss on Singletrack Nate Bender's Snowman Race experience on Storymaps Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
On September 2, 2024 Michelino Sunseri set a new speed record on Grand Teton in 2h 50m 50s. It was supposed to be a new FKT, beating an old record that has stood for over 12 years. What ensued afterwards turned an epic run into a much talked about news story, a social media fire storm, and an eventual lawsuit. Friend of Michelino, Alex Rienzie was out on the trails that day and shares his observations and some background info on all of it. Alex joined Singletrack on his own initiative and any views expressed are his alone. LINKS Alex Rienzie's detailed report on Grizzlies and Avalanches Michelino Sunseri's Strava upload of this run Fastest Known Time – Grand Teton Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Canadian multi-sport athlete Jessie McAuley, repping Arc'teryx, joins the show to talk about his journey from competitive mountain bike racing in his youth to finding skimo racing for his winter adventures and trail racing for the summer. As if that's not enough Jessie still finds time to bike and climb and goes on long adventure runs in the coastal mountains in British Columbia. This seems to works for the Squamish resident who came in 3rd at this year's Mount Marathon in Seward Alaska and who's getting ready for another busy season of skimo races here in North America and over in Europe. LINKS Jessie McAuley's website: Ocean to Alpine Media Jessie McAuley on Instagram Beast of Big Creek Cover shot by Cayman Waughtel Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
After a year plagued by accidents and injury Katharina finds herself at the starting line of her dream race: the massive, and mighty Tor des Géants in the Aosta Valley of the Alps. Over the following days Katharina goes through the usual challenges any trail runners faces in a massive ultra distance event but always stays in the leading position and in the process crushing the women's course record and arriving in seventh overall, almost 5 hours ahead of the second woman. This episode is not a race recap but a conversation about what motivates us, what drives us, and what inspires us. Why do we take on these challenges and what adventures are we seeking? LINKS Katharina Hartmuth on Instagram Katharina Hartmuth on Strava Tor des Géants Cover shot by Jonas Hill Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Rosanna follows up her incredible performance at Lavaredo earlier in the Summer with a stunning 3rd place finish at CCC in Chamonix at the UTMB World Series Finals. Here on Signletrack we chat about her race, misplaced chocolate, the surprise Western States Golden Ticket reception, and her upcoming trip to the Snowman Race in Bhutan. LINKS Rosanna Buchauer on Instagram Rosanna Buchauer on UTMB Snowman Race Cover shot by Helge Roeske for Dynafit Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Julie and I ran OCC. And while we both ran the same race we had very different days out there on the trails around Mont Blanc. Here we share our stories, our challenges, and our celebrations. And here's to more gelato in town cheering on runners and connecting in person. LINKS Julie Urbanski on Instagram Team RunRun Team RunRun on Instagram OCC Results on Electric Cable Car Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Finally I got Scott Michie on Singletrack. It's only taken 315 episodes. And all it took was Scott heading back to Chamonix for another dance around that big white mountain. Over the last few years Scott and I have trained together, run many trails, and climbed many mountains. And in a couple of weeks we'll both be in Chamonix together. He will run UTMB, for the second time while I put on a bib for OCC. In this episode we'll chat about Scott's experience at UTMB a couple years ago and how he's approaching training and preparation differently. Oh, and we're both very very excited about it all. LINKS Scott Michie on Strava Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news
Julie Urbanski, cofounder of Team RunRun will be racing OCC in just a couple of weeks. No stranger to the UTMB madness Julie has been with her family many times in Chamonix, crewing and spectating, but this year it is her turn to run the race. I also ask her about some of her favorite places and things to do in the Chamonix valley, including what gondolas to ride! I cannot wait to touch down in the Alps and take it all in. LINKS Julie Urbanski on Instagram Team RunRun Team RunRun on Instagram Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news
German superstar Katharina Hartmuth, running for Hoka, is back on Singletrack. She just ran the Hardrock 100 and had an incredible time in the San Juans above Silverton. We chat about her race, her time in the Wild West of America and the logistical challenges getting to Colorado and her dealing with recovering from a late injury. LINKS Katharina Hartmuth on Instagram Katharina Hartmuth on Strava Katharina Hartmuth on UTMB Cover Photo by Howie Stern Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
David Norris is the current record holder and 5 times winner, including 2024! of Mount Marathon in Seward, Alaska. He runs for ON, often competes at Cirque Series events and in the winter switches to nordic skis. David is currently training to beat me racing OCC by UTMB in Chamonix in just a few weeks. LINKS David Norris on Instagram Endurance Training Strategies Mount Marathon Cirque Series Cover Photo by Mick Dees Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
Scott Sowle is the owner of 'Mountain Running Races' offering several awesome events east of Seattle in Washington State. On this episode we talk about his visit to the Broken Arrow Skyrace, one of America's biggest trail events, where Scott volunteered and took in the atmosphere. We ponder on what the team is building down there at Lake Tahoe in the days between Broken Arrow and Western States, including the new Trail Conference. LINKS Mountain Running Races Vert Running Series Beast of Big Creek Broken Arrow Skyrace Trail Conference Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your source for trail and mountain news!
Michael Marchand, from Olympia Washington is running Hardrock in just a couple of days. He got his entry in the lottery and has been training his heart out at a local city park pounding the miles and vert just mere feet from his house. We talk about his training leading up to the race and his motivation to take on audacious challenges like this. Follow his tracker through the San Juan mountains and cheer him to a finish back to Silverton. LINKS Michael Marchand on Strava Hardrock 100 Endurance Run Electric Cable Car Hardrock 100 coverage Connect with Singletrack on: Singletrack.fm Instagram Brought to you by Electric Cable Car - your trail and mountain news!
