In this episode, Zoë and Buzz dive into their personal journeys toward identifying as environmentalists—exploring why that label can feel complicated and what it truly means to take action for the planet.

7:12 Zoë sits down with Running for Real host and former elite marathoner Tina Muir to discuss the power of small, everyday actions in making running more sustainable. Tina shares the surprising challenges that races face when it comes to sustainability and how she began integrating environmental advocacy into her running.

27:51 Buzz chats with ultrarunning legends Scott and Jenny Jurek about their work with Protect Our Winters and why optimism is a powerful tool for climate advocacy. They discuss the importance of persistence in environmental action, the intersection of policy and personal choices, and how runners can lead the charge for a more sustainable future.

Tune in for practical insights, inspiring stories, and a fresh perspective on what it means to be a runner who cares for the planet.

Zoë and Buzz dive into what community means to them and why the Keep Trail Running Weird awards matter. Instead of focusing on elite athletes, these awards shine a spotlight on the everyday runners, the quirky characters, and the inspiring individuals who make up the heart of the trail running community. It’s our way of celebrating the people who keep this sport vibrant, inclusive, and downright fun

• 6:44 – We chat with Dwight Swaney, winner of the Favorite Trail Weird award, about how to infuse more fun into every run.
• 13:12 – Leah Kate Vincent, 2024's Most Inspirational award winner, shares how she encourages her community to hit the trails—even with a busy to-do list.
• 22:57 – Tony Mendez, 2024's Best Dressed trail runner, gives us tips on embracing the crop top lifestyle and finding joy in the daily grind of running.
• 32:49 – Heather Westberg, winner of 2024’s Best Trail Fail, recounts her wild injury story and how it led her to give back through volunteering.
• 41:05 – Rich Tenaglia spent 2024 traveling across the U.S. in a van, running as many trail races as possible. He shares his insights on living simply and fully embracing the moment.

This episode is a celebration of the quirky, bold, and inspiring people who make trail running the unique and vibrant community we all love. Don’t miss it!

00:40 Buzz and Zoë chat about how they connect with nature through trail running, and why all trail runners should think of themselves as environmentalists.

6:48 Zoë interviews Luis Benitez, an environmental leader in the outdoor industry and a passionate advocate for sustainability and environmental stewardship, who has summited Mt. Everest six times. As the first-ever Director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and , Luis brings a unique perspective on the intersection of outdoor recreation, environmental responsibility, and community impact and how all trail runners can be environmentalists.

33:37 Buzz interviews ultra legend Clare Gallagher about how approach to environmental stewardship, and how she finds meaning in her connection to nature offline and on the trails. They dive into her recent race in Bhutan, and how that has shaped her perspective on environmental storytelling and ultrarunning.

It’s the end of 2024, and we’re wrapping up the year with a deep dive into the biggest trends, moments, and milestones in trail running. Zoë Rom and Buzz Burrell share their top highlights from the year, including record-breaking performances, evolving race formats, and bold predictions for 2025. Joined by UltraSignup’s Head of Data, Matt Abbott, this episode explores the stories behind the stats and how they’re shaping the sport we love. Whether you’re a seasoned ultrarunner or just hitting the trails, there’s something here for you.

Chapters:

• [00:00] – Welcome to the Trailhead: Reflecting on the biggest moments of 2024
• [05:12] – Super Shoes in Trail Running: Hype vs. Reality
• [10:28] – The Launch of the World Trail Majors: What It Means for the Sport
• [16:04] – Tara Dower’s Appalachian Trail Record and Other Standout Performances
• [22:15] – Breaking Down Trail Running Demographics with Matt Abbott: Who’s Running and Why?
• [30:48] – The Rise of Backyard Ultras and the Boom in 200+ Mile Races
• [36:22] – Fueling Trends: How Massive Calorie Intakes Are Changing Ultra Performance
• [41:37] – Women in Trail Running: Participation Trends and Media Narratives
• [48:20] – Bold Predictions for 2025: The Future of Trail Running and Public Lands
• [55:03] – Closing Thoughts: Why Steady Growth Is Good for the Sport
  
  Thanks to Our Sponsor:
  Join us for the inaugural Utah 115 by Grand to Grand Ultra, May 16–18, 2025, in stunning Kanab, Utah. Choose from 115- and 50-mile distances in one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth. Use code TRAILHEAD10 at checkout for 10% off registration.

Connect With Us:
Have questions or ideas for the show? Email us at trailhead@ultrasignup.com. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and share the episode with your trail running crew. Thanks for meeting us at The Trailhead!

1:00 Zoë and Buzz discuss the technological and cultural shifts that have led to the trail running livestream boom and debate what its impact will be on the sport.

6:04 Buzz interviews Aravaipa Running founder Jamil Coury. They discuss how Mountain Outpost is leading the way with livestreams and why he decided to buy Ultrarunning magazine. They also discuss how the sport has changed and how Jamil’s love of bringing new people into the sport inspires him to keep pushing boundaries with event coverage.

28:06 Zoë interviews writer and researcher Leigh Cowart, author of Hurts So Good: The Culture of Pain on Purpose, about the psychology that drives people to seek out uncomfortable experiences intentionally. They dive into how Leigh’s trip to Big’s Backyard Ultra inspired them to write about ultrarunners and what they learned about pain from hanging out with ultra athletes.

0:50:00 Buzz and Zoë talk about what community means to them and how the trail running community can serve as a positive model as people reassess who they consider their neighbors.

11:09:00 Zoë interviews Tara Dower, who recently set the overall Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail, about her preparation for the FKT and how her relationship with the iconic trail and with hiking and running has evolved over time. Tara talks about her trail running role models and how she wants to inspire more people to push their limits on the trail.

34:47:00 Buzz interviews Warren Doyle, who has hiked the AT 18 times and is the founder of the Appalachian Trail Institute. They discuss the trail's history of speed records and explain why so many hikers and runners are drawn to this iconic through-hike.

:55 Zoë and Buzz discuss the "party platform" that all trail runners can agree on and how athletes can navigate election anxiety.

8:29 Buzz interviews RUN Editor in Chief Brian Metzler. Buzz and Brian discuss the biggest changes they've seen in the world of trail and ultrarunning and what's next for the running industry.

33:11 Zoë interviews TrainingPeaks co-founder Dirk Friel about how technology has changed training for endurance sports, and why AI isn't taking your coach's job just yet.

The Trailhead is sponsored by Running Warehouse. Running Warehouse offers the best brands and the widest selection of running gear. Our in-house experts make it easy to find the right shoes and apparel with thousands of reviews, product deep dives, how-tos, and more. Plus, with free shipping and fast delivery, Running Warehouse makes ordering simple.

00:00:53 Buzz and Zoë chat through advice they wish they had gotten when they first started running, and advice for new and aspiring trail and ultrarunners.

00:8:53 Zoë interviews Randi Zuckerberg (yes, that Zuckerberg!) about how she went from running a half marathon, to signing up for the Cocodona 250 in a year. Plus, they dive into what it means to go all in on your passions, and advice for athletes balancing training with busy lives.

35:48:52 Buzz interviews Brendan Madigan, Race Director at Broken Arrow Sky Race about what it takes to run a three day event and what US races can learn from European style events.