How Cocodona Is Changing Ultrarunning Forever (Long Run Archives #26)
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt join Finn Melanson on the Singletrack Podcast for another edition of the Long Run Archives. In this episode, the trio reflects on the evolving media landscape in ultrarunning, using the wildly popular Cocodona 250 as a case study to examine its impact on race organizers, athletes, and fans. They also share personal takeaways and recap the key storylines from this year’s event. Finally, the conversation explores the (hypothetical) emergence of teams built specifically to win marquee races, speculates on the future of ultrarunning events, and wraps up with a discussion of interesting naming trends within the sport.Timestamps:01:21 Cocodona 250: A Fan's Perspective05:27 The Impact of Media on Ultra Running30:21 Future of Cocodona and Elite Participation38:56 Influence of Cam Hanes41:56 Pacing Dynamics in Ultra Running57:41 Crew Dynamics and Fairness in Racing01:08:35 Project Cocodona and The Concept of Brand-Funded Teams01:31:15 The Future of Ultra Running Events, Innovative Relay Concepts in Ultra Running01:35:49 Exploring Name Trends in Ultra Running01:46:44 Marketing Strategies for Trail Running RegionsPartners: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 SINGLETRACK15 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 Jeff on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and CoachingFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show
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1:47:38
Breaking Down Team USA’s 2025 Long Trail Strategy
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Tom Hooper joins the show to publicly announce and analyze the men's and women's long trail teams that will represent the USA at the World Trail Championships in Canfranc, Spain, this September.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Background02:09 Selection Race Controversies, The Future of Selection Races08:05 Team Composition: Women's Team Overview12:16 Team Composition: Men's Team Overview16:39 Building a Strong Team19:47 Advice for Future Athletes, Future Race Selection ProcessPartners: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 SINGLETRACK15 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 Team USAÂ Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at this year’s Cocodona 250.Timestamps:(0:00) - Cocodona 250 hype, general conversation(27:58) - Course analysis(45:41) - Women's field preview(72:56) - Men's field previewPartners: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 SINGLETRACK15 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
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1:35:38
Inside My 2025 Cocodona 250 Game Plan
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!This is a crossover podcast from the Conversational Pace YouTube channel (hosted by my good friend, Brett Hornig) in which we talk about my gear, nutrition, and overall strategy for the 2025 Cocodona 250.Timestamps:0:00 Intro2:21 Gear from 2024 you won’t be using in 20256:58 Starting pack of choice13:04 Starting shoe of choice18:09 Gaiters or no gaiters?19:34 Need to be fit enough to play the game22:00 What makes the first day interesting24:13 Day two25:36 Lighting choices27:33 Day two shoes33:24 Poles35:08 Significant mid-race gear pivots from last year40:28 Final miles of the course47:52 The 2025 Cocodona crewPartners: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
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55:59
Who’s Getting The Golden Tickets at the Canyons 100K? (2025 Preview)
Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling return to the Singletrack Podcast to preview the final golden ticket chase for the 2025 Western States 100 at this weekend’s Canyons 100K in Auburn, CA.Six golden tickets are up for grabs, with standout athletes like Marianne Hogan, Anthony Costales, Hannes Namberger, Katie Asmuth, and Erin Clark adding serious depth to the competition.They discuss recent administrative updates surrounding the event—including its new status as a "super" golden ticket race, the lack of a live stream, and its recently revoked designation as the Americas Major in the UTMB World Series. They also break down how the course and weather could impact the outcome before diving into the women’s and men’s fields and sharing their podium picks and golden ticket predictions.*Note - we recorded this episode 9 days before the race, so we apologize in advance for not being able to factor last-minute entrants between then and now into our analysis and predictions.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
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