Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling recap the 2026 Cocodona 250 - the live coverage, major takeaways, top athlete performances, the possible futures of the event, and listener takes.

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• Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains
• Janji - premium trail running apparel

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Solo episode! I cover Transvulcania, Aravaipa's acquisition of a few key trail events around the Grand Circle, a new book about the history of trail running, the latest results on the Skyrunning circuit, a lottery system for the Cocodona 250, and much more. Got a tip for next week's news? Shoot us a DM on Instagram.

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 - premium trail running apparel

Support the show

Brett Hornig returns to the show for another edition of the Long Run Archives. This time, we break down the stunning news of the week: Jim Walmsley is back on the Western States start list via a Hoka sponsor entry. After that, we share our 2026 power rankings for both the men's and women's races, which we will revisit during race week in Olympic Valley.

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 - premium trail running apparel
• Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes

Support the show

Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at this year’s Cocodona 250.

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 - premium trail running apparel
• Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes

Support the show

Brett Hornig returns to the Singletrack Podcast to recap race results from Canyons, Mt Fuji, Madeira Island Ultra Trail, among other trail-related news.

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 - premium trail running apparel

Support the show

We discuss Sean Haworth's critique of ACG's Gorge Waterfalls activation, the four athlete development programs shaping the next generation of pro trail running, Scott Fauble's issue with supershoes in the marathon, and Climatic Health's new lung health product being marketed to endurance athletes.

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 - premium trail running apparel
• Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes

Support the show

Max Jolliffe joins the podcast for his third appearance, two weeks out from his return to Cocodona 250. After dropping at mile 238 in 2025 with cellulitis, Max is back for redemption, and this time he's doing it as a full-time professional athlete after leaving Hurley in November following nearly 15 years at the company.

We get into his training block, gear and nutrition strategies, and an upcoming week of course recon out of Mike Versteeg's place in Prescott. Max also walks through his experience at the BPN Backyard Ultra in the Texas hill country and makes the case for why the backyard format deserves more attention from the sport's top names.

Other topics:

• How 15 years in graphic design and apparel at Hurley shapes the value he brings to brand partners beyond race results
• Why race merch across the sport is a missed opportunity and what needs to change
• His new travel show concept, Weekend Training Camp, and the Salt Lake City pilot he's editing now
• When he stopped idolizing effortless talent and started respecting visible work, and how that shift rewired what he looks for in athletes
• Why he doesn't actually love racing and what draws him to multi-day events and backyard ultras instead
• Time goal for Cocodona, day-one pacing philosophy, and why he's staying off the front early
• Prize money at 200s and why the math might need to change

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 - premium trail running apparel
• Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes

Support the show

Alyssa Clark joins Finn to roll through a packed news week in ultra-trail. Headlines include Ashley Paulson's 12:47:10 treadmill world record set in front of a packed Boston Marathon Expo (a 90-minute improvement on the previous mark), Mathieu Blanchard leaving Salomon to sign with Kiprun as the French brand pushes into the North American market, and a stacked Madeira Ultra Trail start list featuring Jasmine Lowther, Helen Mino Faukner, Katharina Hartmuth, Ethan Peters, and a deep American contingent.

Also on tap: weekend results from Penyagolosa, Puerto Vallarta, and Whiskey Basin, Mount Fuji hype, Ryan Becker's move to Kailas, Mammoth Trail Fest's new $6,000 para athlete prize purse, Sarah Hall's trail running plans, the death of UK runner David Parrish on the Cape Wrath Trail and the mountain competency conversation it sparks, plus Salomon's bet on gravel racing.

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 - premium trail running apparel

Support the show