Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this edition of Long Run Archives, Finn Melanson is joined by Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt for a wide-ranging conversation about some of the biggest debates circulating in trail and ultrarunning right now.
We begin with a viral moment from the sport: Charlie Lawrence being called out to run a backyard ultra. Could a 100K record holder actually threaten the backyard ultra world record, or is the discipline too specialized for that kind of crossover? The group discusses what determines success in the backyard format and why the event continues to fascinate runners across disciplines.
Next, we explore a provocative question making the rounds online: are elite trail runners boring? Are influencers better storytellers than professional athletes, or is that narrative missing the point? Along the way we discuss historical tensions between performance and storytelling in the sport and what audiences actually respond to.
In the second half of the episode, we unpack two recent race controversies:
• Ultra Trail Snowdonia’s major course change after registration opened
• The possibility that the historic JFK 50 Mile could move from its traditional course due to funding disputes
What responsibility do race organizers have when circumstances force major changes after runners have already committed?
Finally, we play a round of Overreaction / Underreaction, reacting to statements like:
• Molly Seidel is already a Western States podium contender
• Jen Lichter could enter the top echelon of the sport with a Western States win
• Crowdfunded prize purses may surpass traditional race payouts
• Kilian Jornet could still win both Western States and UTMB in the same season
Chapters
* 01:50 Charlie Lawrence and the Backyard Ultra Challenge
* 05:59 The Debate on Elite Trail Runners and Their Stories
* 11:52 The Influence of Elites vs. Influencers in Trail Running
* 21:33 Controversies in Upcoming Races: Snowdonia and JFK 50
* 34:34 Navigating Permits and Course Changes
* 39:54 Challenges of Race Directing
* 48:10 The Impact of Course Changes on Runners
* 50:41 Overreaction vs Underreaction in Ultra Running
* 54:51 The Future of Crowdfunded Prize Purses
* 01:03:40 The Evolution of Killian Jornet's Racing Strategy
* 01:07:22 Golden Ticket Races vs. Western States
* 01:10:03 Anticipated Matchups in Ultra Racing
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)
* Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (raideresearch.com/)
* Janji - premium trail running apparel (janji.com/)
* Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes (kodiakcakes.com/?utm_source=SingleTrack&utm_medium=Awareness)
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
In this edition of Long Run Archives, Finn Melanson is joined by Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt for a wide-ranging conversation about some of the biggest debates circulating in trail and ultrarunning right now.
We begin with a viral moment from the sport: Charlie Lawrence being called out to run a backyard ultra. Could a 100K record holder actually threaten the backyard ultra world record, or is the discipline too specialized for that kind of crossover? The group discusses what determines success in the backyard format and why the event continues to fascinate runners across disciplines.
Next, we explore a provocative question making the rounds online: are elite trail runners boring? Are influencers better storytellers than professional athletes, or is that narrative missing the point? Along the way we discuss historical tensions between performance and storytelling in the sport and what audiences actually respond to.
In the second half of the episode, we unpack two recent race controversies:
• Ultra Trail Snowdonia’s major course change after registration opened
• The possibility that the historic JFK 50 Mile could move from its traditional course due to funding disputes
What responsibility do race organizers have when circumstances force major changes after runners have already committed?
Finally, we play a round of Overreaction / Underreaction, reacting to statements like:
• Molly Seidel is already a Western States podium contender
• Jen Lichter could enter the top echelon of the sport with a Western States win
• Crowdfunded prize purses may surpass traditional race payouts
• Kilian Jornet could still win both Western States and UTMB in the same season
Chapters
* 01:50 Charlie Lawrence and the Backyard Ultra Challenge
* 05:59 The Debate on Elite Trail Runners and Their Stories
* 11:52 The Influence of Elites vs. Influencers in Trail Running
* 21:33 Controversies in Upcoming Races: Snowdonia and JFK 50
* 34:34 Navigating Permits and Course Changes
* 39:54 Challenges of Race Directing
* 48:10 The Impact of Course Changes on Runners
* 50:41 Overreaction vs Underreaction in Ultra Running
* 54:51 The Future of Crowdfunded Prize Purses
* 01:03:40 The Evolution of Killian Jornet's Racing Strategy
* 01:07:22 Golden Ticket Races vs. Western States
* 01:10:03 Anticipated Matchups in Ultra Racing
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)
* Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (raideresearch.com/)
* Janji - premium trail running apparel (janji.com/)
* Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes (kodiakcakes.com/?utm_source=SingleTrack&utm_medium=Awareness)
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
