Singletrack
Finn Melanson
Singletrack is a podcast covering the professional trail and ultrarunning scene.
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Top 10 Singletrack Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Singletrack episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Singletrack for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Singletrack episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
12/11/24 • 64 min
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In this episode, we’re joined by returning guests Abby Levene of Outside Magazine and Kelly Newlon of RAD Boulder. Together, we dive into the big news of Tara Dower’s groundbreaking sponsorship deal with Altra, which positions her as one of the higher-paid athletes in the ultra-trail running world.
Timestamps:
- 00:30 Introduction to Tara Dower's Contract with Altra
- 06:22 Gender Pay Inequality in Sports
- 09:26 The Role of Non-Disclosure Agreements in Athlete Contracts
- 13:42 Market Dynamics and Athlete Compensation
- 16:37 The Impact of Tara's Contract on the Trail Running Community
- 19:28 The Future of Sponsorships in Trail Running
- 22:21 Tara Dower's Unique Position in the Sport
- 25:36 Measuring Success for Brands and Athletes
- 28:30 The Evolution of Altra's Brand Strategy
- 35:28 The Evolution of Athlete Representation
- 39:01 The Role of Agents in Ultra Trail Running
- 50:48 The Future of Sports Reporting
- 54:39 The Concept of a Signing Day in Trail Running
- 56:48 Safeguarding Athlete Obligations
- 01:01:55 Final Thoughts on Tara's Impact
Partners:
- Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.
- Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.us/) to get 15% off your next order.
- deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLET...) to get 20% off your next order.
Additional Links:
- Abby Levene - Outside Mag Article
- Kelly Newlon - RadBoulder
- Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter,
12/10/24 • 60 min
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Chris Chavez returns to the Singletrack Podcast to discuss the latest developments at Citius Mag, the influence of Netflix's Sprint series on Track and Field, shifts in the sports media landscape, his key content and event strategies for 2025, and his perspective on Michael Johnson's "Grand Slam Track" league.
Timestamps:
- 2:00 The Evolution of Citius Mag and Track and Field Media
- 9:49 Retaining Talent in a Competitive Media Environment
- 20:50 The Impact of Media on Track and Field
- 26:59 The Future of Track and Field Media
- 32:19 "Sprint" And The Evolution of Sports Documentaries
- 39:51 Challenges in Media Access In Track and Field
- 45:04 Grand Slam Track
- 50:04 The Role of Influential Figures (Michael Johnson) in Sports
- 55:27 Business Strategies for Sports Media Success
Partners:
- Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.
- Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.us/) to get 15% off your next order.
- deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLET...) to get 20% off your next order.
Additional Links:
08/29/23 • 53 min
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Finn Melanson and Brett Hornig provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the men's field lining up at the 2023 CCC in the UTMB World Series Finals.
Sponsors:
- Feetures - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://feetures.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
- Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
- Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website for 15% off your next order. American listeners - use this link. International listeners - use this link.
- Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.
- Maurten - head over to their website (https://www.maurten.com/) and shop for gels, bars, and drink mixes.
- Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack)
Links:
07/31/23 • 71 min
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In this episode, I'm joined by Latt Mansor, Research Lead at HVMN.
Latt holds a PhD in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics from the University of Oxford, where his research focused on the metabolism of the type 2 diabetic heart in hypoxia. He also holds an M.A. (Columbia University) and B.Sc. (Hons) (University of Nottingham) in Biotechnology. He is a world expert in physiology and metabolism, and consults with elite sport, military, clinical and research organizations.
The focus of this conversation is on the practical applications of exogenous ketone supplementation in ultra-endurance settings.
Note - HVMN is a sponsor of the podcast. While I was a user of their products prior to this financial relationship and have been interested in this particular topic for a while now, it is important to disclose my ties to the company. Keep this in mind as you listen to the episode.
Timestamps:
- (1:42) - defining exogenous ketones, experience with exogenous ketones
- (9:23) - differences between endogenous and exogenous ketones
- (12:58) - fueling simultaneously with carbohydrates and exogenous ketones
- (16:35) - debating the performance versus recovery benefits of exogenous ketones
- (23:56) - discussing potential recovery, adaptation, and sleep benefits during heavy training periods
- (35:06) - suggested supplementation protocol for exogenous ketones during ultramarathons
- (49:22) - addressing various criticisms of exogenous ketones
- (67:57) - research requests for exogenous ketones
Sponsors:
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
- Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.
- HVMN - use this link (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 30% off your first subscription to their Ketone IQ product.
Links:
06/21/23 • 13 min
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Emily Hawgood returns to the Singletrack Podcast to discuss her preparation for the 2023 Western States 100.
Links:
Sponsors:
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
- Feetures - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://feetures.com/) to get 20% off your next order)
- Hoka - check out the new Tecton X2 and Zinal 2 (https://www.hoka.com/en/us/)
- Maurten - head over to their website (https://www.maurten.com/) and shop for gels, bars, and drink mixes.
03/21/23 • 71 min
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John Kelly is a professional endurance athlete and now 2-time finisher of the Barkley Marathons.
In this conversation, we get his thoughts about the media attention and public perception surrounding Barkley, what draws the general public to our sport, his views on using intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation for high performance, creating the ideal Barkley athlete, and why he’s interested in going after the Appalachian Trail FKT in the future.
Timestamps:
- (1:02) - why you have to be intrinsically motivated to finish Barkley
- (6:42) - what John wrote in his application essay for Barkley
- (9:23) - automated Twitter race narrations
- (12:06) - changing ideas about how to prepare for Barkley
- (19:26) - goldilocks zone of difficulty
- (24:36) - why he returns to Barkley
- (28:50) - mildly fulfilling successes versus stretch efforts
- (32:16) - ideal Barkley athlete
- (37:51) - why Barkley gets so much fanfare, why it appeals to the general public
- (49:10) - addressing Barkley criticisms
- (58:53) - Appalachian Trail FKT interest
Discounts:
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
- HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
- Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)
Links:
03/17/23 • 51 min
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Sabrina Little is a Philosophy Professor and Professional Ultrarunner based in Newport News, VA. Sabrina is also a regular columnist for IRunfar and we spend the majority of this conversation discussing a recent post she wrote about what it might look like to be a good fan, as well as a bad fan, of ultra running during this era of significant change in our sport.
Discounts:
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
- HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
- Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)
Timestamps:
- (1:32) - connecting running and philosophy
- (10:15) - whether academia or running has had a bigger influence on philosophy
- (14:18) - motivation to reflect on ultrarunning fans
- (25:34) - gossip, escapism, anonymity, rooting for vice
- (39:45) - whether negative in-sport characteristics translate to other areas of life
- (48:54) - how fan behavior impacts the future of ultrarunning
Links:
01/12/23 • 29 min
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Courtney Dauwalter returns to the podcast to talk about Bandera, the moment she went all in on ultra running, whether she’s interested in returning to Barkley, and for the hometown listeners here in Salt Lake City, whether she will race the Wasatch 100 one day.
Discounts:
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
- Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
- HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
Timestamps:
- (2:00) - whether racing and the pain cave ever get easier, more routine
- (4:56) - challenges at Bandera
- (6:29) - whether improvement is felt in training in addition to race results
- (8:03) - racing intuitively
- (10:52) - Salomon discussion
- (13:06) - what she attributes leveling up in 2016-2017 to
- (17:39) - driving force to go full-time as an ultrarunner
- (20:54) - mentorship
- (22:12) - reducing training, racing load in recent years
- (25:01) - UTMB
- (27:42) - whether she will return to Barkley
Links:
- Follow Courtney on Instagram
- Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
- #174 - Courtney Dauwalter | 2023 Bandera 100K Pre-Race Interview
- #54 - Garrett Heath | Switch To Trail Running, Pro Lifestyle, Running Teams, Brooks Beasts
11/19/22 • 13 min
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Drew Holmen is a professional trail runner for Nike, based in Boulder, Colorado who is preparing for the Ultra Trail Cape Town event series in a few days.
Timestamps:
- (0:56) - revisiting Drew's ability to consistently go to the well in his races
- (3:42) - reflecting on whether there's more to give and accomplish at Western States
- (6:12) - motivation, inspiration for choosing Cape Town as first international race
- (8:37) - training for Cape Town
- (9:53) - goals for the race
- (11:09) - race day gear
Links:
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
- #83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
12/08/24 • 35 min
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Finn Melanson and Brett Hornig share their initial reactions to the Hardrock 100 and Western States 100 lotteries, discussing their impact on the competitive fields in both races.
Didn't get into the Western States 100 or Hardrock 100? Come race Twisted Fork on June 14th, 2025 in Park City, UT. Check it out here.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 Instant Reactions to the Race Lotteries
- 03:03 Exploring Content Opportunities in Trail Running
- 06:03 Statistics and Insights from the Lotteries
- 09:03 Katie Schide racing Hardrock next year
- 20:56 Zach Miller racing Hardrock next year
- 24:48 The Competitive Landscape of the Hardrock 100
- 28:49 Western States 100 Lottery Overview
- 32:57 Conversational Pace Corner - Shoe Predictions
- 34:05 Final Thoughts and Future Events (Twisted Fork)
Partners:
- Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.
- Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.us/) to get 15% off your next order.
- deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLET...) to get 20% off your next order.
Additional Links:
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FAQ
How many episodes does Singletrack have?
Singletrack currently has 359 episodes available.
What topics does Singletrack cover?
The podcast is about News, Ultra Running, Running, Podcasts, Sports and Sports News.
What is the most popular episode on Singletrack?
The episode title '2023 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interviews | Preston Cates, Tara Dower, Riley Brady' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Singletrack?
The average episode length on Singletrack is 59 minutes.
How often are episodes of Singletrack released?
Episodes of Singletrack are typically released every 2 days, 2 hours.
When was the first episode of Singletrack?
The first episode of Singletrack was released on Jun 15, 2021.
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