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Singletrack

Finn Melanson

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

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  • 56 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 5 min
  • English

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Episodes 56

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  • S1 · E488
    June 29 · 1 hr 9 min

    2026 Western States 100 Recap

    Two course records, a rookie champion, and a men's podium almost nobody predicted. Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling join me in Auburn to recap the 2026 Western States 100: Vincent Bouillard clawing back from ten minutes down at Forest Hill, Jennifer Lichter winning in her first 100-miler, the deepest women's top 10 in race history, plus buy-or-sell and our biggest questions for next year. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E487
    June 29 · 43 min

    Jennifer Lichter | 2026 Western States 100 Champion

    Jennifer Lichter joins us in our Auburn, CA studio shortly after her course record victory at the 2026 Western State 100. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E486
    June 25 · 54 min

    David Roche on the Cool-Year Revolution, the High-Carb Era, and the Odds of a Sub-14 at Western States

    David Roche returns to the show a few days ahead of the 2026 Western States 100. Across 2024 and 2025, he put on one of the most memorable shows in our sport's history. He took us behind the scenes of his buildup to Javelina, Leadville, and Western States, fighting for wins and course records while running training experiments on himself. This year he's back at Western States, on the ground as a coach for athletes like Hans Troyer, Ellaney Matarese, and Justin Grunewald. We were lucky to get him in the studio for a long-form conversation, where we peppered him with questions on training, fueling, heat mitigation, and race strategy for the Western States 100. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E485
    June 25 · 1 hr 43 min

    2026 Western States 100 Men's Field Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions

    Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, Jeff Colt, and Rod Farvard provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition in this year’s men's field at the Western States 100. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E484
    June 24 · 51 min

    Zach Miller | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview

    Zach Miller is one of the greatest, most entertaining, and most thoughtful runners of his generation. It's a treat to have him in the studio ahead of Western States, a race he has patiently waited to run for over a decade. Miller is coming off a memorable 2nd place golden ticket performance at the Canyons 100K, a race where he reunited with Hayden Hawks for yet another classic duel in their storied rivalry, which dates back to the 2016 TNF 50 in San Francisco. We also catch up with Zach on other topics, including his regular IRunFar column, his trusty North Face hat, and his reflections on this stage of his career as a professional ultra-trail runner. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E483
    June 24 · 35 min

    Tara Dower | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview

    One of the most exciting and versatile athletes in our sport, Tara Dower joins us in the studio to reflect on this year’s mission to race the vaunted Western States-Hardrock double. There’s a bit of a “revenge” narrative at play here as illness forced her to DNF at last year’s Western States and she was the very first person on the wait list at last year’s Hardrock, even suiting up for the start line the morning of the race in hopes that magic would happen. Ultimately, the stars didn’t align. But now it’s here. We talk a lot about her process approaching the double, but also ask her about other interests in the sport, life in Durango, performance mantras, and her ability to dig remarkably deep in so many of these races. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E482
    June 24 · 37 min

    Jennifer Lichter | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview

    Jennifer Lichter is the newest star in ultra-trail running. She's been winning important races since her breakout at The Rut 50K in 2021, but it was only about 18 months ago that the wider world caught on and she became a household name. Since the start of 2025 she's beaten top fields to win the Transgrancanaria Marathon, Broken Arrow 46K, Speedgoat 50K, Black Canyon 100K, and Gorge Waterfalls 50K. Western States is her first time toeing the line for 100 miles, yet many already make her a favorite to win. Can she pull it off? In this conversation we trace her path here, dig into what the buildup actually looked like, and talk through her strategy for handling the spotlight at the North American Super Bowl of ultrarunning. Hope you enjoy. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E481
    June 24 · 1 hr 23 min

    2026 Western States 100 Women's Field Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions

    Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition in this year’s women's field at the Western States 100. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E480
    June 23 · 53 min

    Kilian Jornet | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview

    Kilian Jornet is the greatest trail and mountain runner of all time. He joins the show coming off a 3rd place finish at last year’s event, certainly questing for a victory in this year’s edition. He is the 2011 champion of Western States and debuted here in 2010 - the famous “Unbreakable” edition where he dueled with Geoff Roes and Anton Krupicka all day before landing on the podium in 3rd. Suffice it to say, Kilian has a storied history at this race. It’s not that often we get the privilege to speak with Kilian, so we also used this opportunity to have a broader conversation getting his insights on various state of sport topics. Hope you enjoy. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E479
    June 23 · 2 hr 1 min

    Scott Jurek on the Golden Age of Ultra, Dean Potter and The Dark Wizard, 200-Milers, and the Odds of a Sub-14 at Western States (Sunday Conversation)

    Scott Jurek is one of the greatest ultramarathoners of all time. His career ushered in an era of professionalism that enabled many that came after him to pursue this sport as a full-fledged career. Since 2024, we have had Scott in the studio for long-form conversations during Western States week. At this point, it’s become one of our favorite traditions. Sometimes we talk about the state of the sport, sometimes we reflect on key moments in his racing career, and other times we just shoot the breeze. In this one, we talk about Scott’s experience at Cocodona this year, his relationship with Dean Potter, pacing Brian Morrison in 2006, and whether ultrarunning is in a “golden age” right now. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E478
    June 23 · 36 min

    2026 Western States 100 Final Power Rankings

    In this episode we share our final "power rankings" for both the men's and women's races. Stay tuned for additional, in-depth previews of both elite fields later this week. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E477
    June 23 · 30 min

    Lotti Brinks | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview

    Simply put, Lotti Brinks is one of the best ultrarunners in the sport right now. Over the last 2 years, she’s secured multiple top 10s at CCC, wins at Way Too Cool and Desert Rats, and a course record at the Gorge Waterfalls 100K this past spring that heralded her arrival into the upper echelon of the sport. This is her second time at Western States. She was here in 2024, placing 14th in 18:53. But many expect her to be a podium contender in 2026. Since this is our first ever interview with Lotti on Singletrack, we use the opportunity to learn more about her: her background, what motivates her pursuit of excellence in the ultra world, being coached by the great Tyler Green, and her race-day goals. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E476
    June 22 · 38 min

    Hans Troyer | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview

    These are the times! Hans Troyer joins us in the studio for his first-ever (longer form) appearance on the Singletrack Podcast. Hans has had an exciting recent build to Western States, including a win at the Twisted Fork 30K and a training camp in Flagstaff with the Hoka team. Beyond that, on the biggest stages of the sport, he is on a roll demonstrating his greatness with a course record victory at the Black Canyon 100K back in February and an impressive win at JFK late last year. Hans took 8th place at his debut here last June, but expectations are higher for his return. Many consider him one of the favorites for the win here and part of the cohort of superstars that could break the fabled 14-hour barrier on the course. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E475
    June 18 · 1 hr 38 min

    Western States, Anti-Doping Efforts, and European vs American Trail Media with Francesco Puppi (Sunday Conversation)

    Francesco Puppi is a professional trail runner for Hoka based outside of Lake Como, Italy. For many fans of the sport, his debut at the 100-mile distance and Western States has been long-anticipated. It's finally here and we cover the usual topics around preparation, mentality, and racing strategy for the current moment, but I also take the opportunity to ask him about current anti-doping efforts in the sport, European vs American trail media, and lessons learned from other superstars in our sport. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Janji - running gear that goes the distance Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E474
    June 16 · 1 hr 29 min

    Tom Evans Wild Treadmill Workout, Western States Sleeper Picks + Ski Brands Taking Over Trail? (Long Run Archives #40)

    Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt join the show to unpack Tom Evans' wild treadmill workout, our Western States sleeper picks, the ski brands entering the trail market, Broken Arrow hype, and whether the athlete-media landscape is changing. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Janji - running gear that goes the distance Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Support the show

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E473
    June 15 · 57 min

    Gerda Steyn's "Comfortable" Comrades Win, New Tahoe 200 Course Record + Tudor's Luxury Trail Play (Singletrack News)

    We discuss Gerda Steyn's "comfortable" Comrades record (and George Kusche's not-so-comfortable victory finish), Aaron Kubala's Tahoe 200 course record, Rod Farvard and Martina Valmassoi's dominant UTMB Andorra wins, Western States withdrawals from Keely Henninger and Seth Ruling, our Broken Arrow storylines to watch, Terignota's wild financials, athletes on the move (Canyon Woodward to Patagonia), Tudor's luxury trail play, and our favorite content of the week. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Janji - running gear that goes the distance Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Support the show

    • Transcript
Showing 41–56 of 56 episodes