Singletrack

Mark Dowdle joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation.

Timestamps:
00:00 The 87-yard qualifying math
05:11 Where to chase 88 yards in 2027
13:43 The Dennis Rodman of ultrarunning, “Running is boring”
18:07 Loop 87 at Last Soul
20:37 Competition vs. trail running’s friendly culture
25:36 Where trash talk crosses the line, mistakes in public
31:24 The Charlie Lawrence challenge
33:24 Same sport? Ultrarunner of the Year, Who counts as a pro?
42:58 Where trail media got it wrong
45:12 Mark asks: why now?
49:29 Should media specialize? My 200-mile mistake
57:59 Gatekeeping, Theory of change
01:10:55 Owning Last Soul
01:12:06 Racing Sam Harvey four times, Last Soul and Big’s
01:17:06 “It’s not all about me”, Fame, Faith
01:24:40 Training for durability
01:29:16 Micro-naps and caffeine, phones mid-race
01:33:36 What fuels him now
01:36:28 The Last Dance, Barkley

Partners:
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order
Janji - running apparel that goes the distance
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains 
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made
Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes 
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Two winning margins under 90 seconds, a called shot, and an all-masters women’s podium. Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling join me to recap the 2026 Javelina Jundred.

Partners:
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order
Janji - running apparel that goes the distance
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains 
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order 
Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes 
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Jameson Collins, Headquarters Manager for Destination Trail, joins me to walk through what happened at this year’s Moab 240, from the decision to start to the mid-race cancellation.
We cover how the team read the forecast, why flash flooding didn’t actually end the race, the night at Bridger Jack, and the search and rescue effort that got everyone out the next morning.
We also get into the qualifier debate, the no-drop pacer policy, the Arizona Monster bucket controversy, and what a $2,000 entry should buy you at a 200-mile aid station, before closing with Jameson’s lessons from 15 years in risk management and what every race organization should take from Moab.

Partners:
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order
Janji - running apparel that goes the distance
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains 
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order 
Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes 

Support the show

In this week’s edition of Singletrack News, Brett Hornig and I wrap up the Backyard World Team Championships at Big’s. That includes the Belgian pair’s decision to stop together at a new world record, and whether backyard specialist Mark Dowdle belongs in the UROY conversation. We also get into Ryan Montgomery calling his shot at 200 miles in 24 hours at Desert Solstice, the Golden Trail World Series final in South Korea, and a new segment we’re testing called Keep, Cut, Fix. We close with Camille Herron’s return to Javelina, Sage Canaday’s jump into backyard ultras, and Cameron Balzer’s Breaking 42 transcon record attempt.

Partners:
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order
Janji - running apparel that goes the distance
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains 
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 Javelina Jundred.

Partners:
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order
Janji - running apparel that goes the distance
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains 
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order 
Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes 
Support the show