Singletrack

In this edition of Long Run Archives, we talk about: Arlen Glick’s departure from Craft Sportswear, whether mental toughness is often overstated, and that physical fitness is what truly wins races, the idea of "super-domestiques" in ultra, Ben Dhiman vs the Boulder Boys, and media narratives around 200-mile "specialists".

Chapters:
00:00 — Arlen Glick’s Departure from Craft
06:57 — Could Ultrarunning Ever Have a Smut TV Series?
23:03 — Is Mental Toughness Overrated in Ultrarunning?
29:56 — Mental Warfare and Training Philosophy
32:45 — Community Support as a Competitive Advantage
35:39 — Training Partners: Breakthrough or Burnout?
39:20 — Pacing Ethics and Team Tactics in Ultrarunning
53:39 — Ben Dhiman vs. the Boulder Boys
1:03:30 — What Makes a 200-Mile Specialist?
1:13:30 — Media Narratives, Visibility, and Performance Metrics

Partners:
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/) 

Additional Links:
Arlen Glick Strava Post
Follow Jeff on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
Support the show

Brett Hornig and Mike McMonagle join the show to reflect on the 2025 Ultrarunner of the Year and Trail Runner of the Year rankings, plus some way-too-early hype for our showdown at this year's Bear 100.

Partners:
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/) 

Additional Links:
Follow Mike on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
Support the show

In this annual State of Singletrack episode, Finn Melanson sits down with longtime collaborator Scott Hickenlooper to reflect on where Singletrack has been, what defined 2025 from multiple angles, and how the business, media projects, and personal priorities are evolving heading into 2026.

The conversation covers why the State of Singletrack format exists, how Finn thinks about transparency and building in public, and what listening habits and creative influences shaped the show over the past year. Finn looks back on the biggest accomplishments of 2025, including the release of Singletrack’s first feature-length film The Finisher and the launch of Twisted Fork Trail Festival, while also addressing where things fell short, from missed product ideas to community initiatives that never fully materialized.

The episode examines the realities of building a trail running media company, including the fragility of sponsorship-driven business models, how partnerships are structured, and why diversification through events and race coverage has become essential. Finn and Scott also discuss the growth of Singletrack’s YouTube channel, the challenges of sustaining that momentum, and open questions around future video projects and personal storytelling.

Looking ahead, Finn shares what excites him most about 2026, including Jules Campanelli joining Singletrack full-time, upcoming race directing responsibilities, coverage plans for major events, and his own racing focus on Scout Mountain 100 and the Bear 100.

The episode closes with audience questions, reflections on how Finn’s perspective on the sport has changed, advice for aspiring creators and athletes, and a look at dream interviews that remain at the top of the wish list.

Partners:
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)
Support the show

Rachel Entrekin joins the show to discuss how 200 mile racing strategy has changed, what it now takes to compete at the front of the sport, and her transition to being a full time professional in the sport.

Timestamps:
01:15 Burrito League, community running, and doing silly things for fun
06:30 Transitioning to life as a full-time professional runner
12:00 Recovery, sleep, and why high mileage feels different now
15:30 Training and connecting with other 200-mile athletes
19:30 Confidence, humility, and learning to own performance
23:00 Trash talk, entertainment, and race build-up narratives
27:00 Cocodona 250 dynamics and racing alone at the front
32:00 Gender categories and competitiveness in 200-mile racing
36:00 Why conservative racing no longer works
41:00 Tactical lessons learned from Mammoth 200
45:00 What it will take to win future 200-mile races
49:00 Advice for athletes debuting at the 200-mile distance
56:00 Studying live streams and learning from the sport
1:01:00 Vibe-based racing versus optimization
1:06:30 Longevity, visibility, and a late-career breakthrough
1:10:00 Old-school racing culture and the Plain 100

Partners:
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/) 

Additional Links:
Follow Rachel on Instagram, Strava
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
Support the show

Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Alyssa Clark comment on some of the most pressing issues in trail running today - including whether Hardrock is “cooked,” the debate around separate starts at races like UTMB, and what the future holds for the World Trail Majors.

Partners:
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/) 

Additional Links:
Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
Follow Alyssa on Instagram, Strava, Website 
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
Support the show