Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Our annual Ultrarunning Year in Review is here! I'm joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to break down everything that defined the sport this year: the performances that reshaped the hierarchy, the storylines that sparked debate, and the trends that may permanently change how ultrarunning operates heading into 2026.
Topics include:
* The biggest ultrarunning storylines of 2025
* Breakout performances and unsung heroes
* The most dramatic races and moments of the year
* Comeback athletes and rookie standouts
* Surprising results that rewrote expectations
* The rise of agents, Substack, and athlete media
* Brand wins, sponsorship shifts, and product moments
* What 2025 tells us about the future of the sport
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Reflections on 2025
02:05 Top Ultra Running Storylines of 2025
09:57 Weirdest Stories of the Year
12:44 Breakthrough Performances of the Year
16:20 Unsung and Dark Horse Performances
21:19 Comeback Runners of the Year
23:23 Rookie of the Year
26:39 Trail Running Breakthroughs
28:53 Surprising Results in Trail Running
31:25 Race Highlights and Performances
33:12 Dramatic Moments in Racing
38:21 Race of the Year Contenders
44:32 Undercard Races and Their Impact
49:53 Brand Wins and Marketing Strategies
52:44 Product Launches and Innovations
58:32 Free Agent Signings of the Year
01:00:40 Media Trends in Ultra Running
01:02:19 Performance Trends and Coaching Changes
01:09:46 Training and Nutrition Trends
01:17:30 Technology in Ultra Running
01:23:07 Predictions for Ultra Runners of the Year
01:24:49 Speculations on Jim's Future Races
01:27:11 Trail Runners of the Year Discussion
01:29:22 Predictions for 2026 Breakout Athletes
01:37:44 Bold Predictions for Major Events
01:42:33 Sponsorship Trends and Predictions
Partners:
* Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (nordarun.com/)
* Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
* deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)
* Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (raideresearch.com/)
* Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase.
Follow Singletrack on Instagram:
instagram.com/runsingletrack
Subscribe to Singletrack on Apple:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/singletrack/id1572382413
Subscribe to Singletrack on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/7jAsWCRNSCU8nh81vrAaC2?si=3ac02e4e32b946c4
Our annual Ultrarunning Year in Review is here! I'm joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to break down everything that defined the sport this year: the performances that reshaped the hierarchy, the storylines that sparked debate, and the trends that may permanently change how ultrarunning operates heading into 2026.
Topics include:
* The biggest ultrarunning storylines of 2025
* Breakout performances and unsung heroes
* The most dramatic races and moments of the year
* Comeback athletes and rookie standouts
* Surprising results that rewrote expectations
* The rise of agents, Substack, and athlete media
* Brand wins, sponsorship shifts, and product moments
* What 2025 tells us about the future of the sport
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Reflections on 2025
02:05 Top Ultra Running Storylines of 2025
09:57 Weirdest Stories of the Year
12:44 Breakthrough Performances of the Year
16:20 Unsung and Dark Horse Performances
21:19 Comeback Runners of the Year
23:23 Rookie of the Year
26:39 Trail Running Breakthroughs
28:53 Surprising Results in Trail Running
31:25 Race Highlights and Performances
33:12 Dramatic Moments in Racing
38:21 Race of the Year Contenders
44:32 Undercard Races and Their Impact
49:53 Brand Wins and Marketing Strategies
52:44 Product Launches and Innovations
58:32 Free Agent Signings of the Year
01:00:40 Media Trends in Ultra Running
01:02:19 Performance Trends and Coaching Changes
01:09:46 Training and Nutrition Trends
01:17:30 Technology in Ultra Running
01:23:07 Predictions for Ultra Runners of the Year
01:24:49 Speculations on Jim's Future Races
01:27:11 Trail Runners of the Year Discussion
01:29:22 Predictions for 2026 Breakout Athletes
01:37:44 Bold Predictions for Major Events
01:42:33 Sponsorship Trends and Predictions
Partners:
* Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (nordarun.com/)
* Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
* deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)
* Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (raideresearch.com/)
* Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase.
Follow Singletrack on Instagram:
instagram.com/runsingletrack
Subscribe to Singletrack on Apple:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/singletrack/id1572382413
Subscribe to Singletrack on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/7jAsWCRNSCU8nh81vrAaC2?si=3ac02e4e32b946c4
