How Trail Running is Growing Up—Without Losing Its Soul
The Buzz
Take our listener survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCgLdj8-92G_pLDxkPfuJ0-r477MzZPieRx_qlj1cmP2oybA/viewform?usp=header Trail running is evolving fast—and this episode takes you inside that transformation. Recorded live at TrailCon, host Buzz Burrell sits down with four unique voices shaping the sport: David Callahan, co-CEO of UltraSignup, on why “Tahoe Trail Week” could be America’s answer to Chamonix. Shane Ohly, UK race director, on adventure, jeopardy, and the self-navigation ethos of events like the Dragon’s Back. Matt Walsh, media analyst and author of...
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How Women Are Shaping the Future of Trail Running
The Buzz
This episode of The Buzz is a special one. Recorded at TrailCon in Palisades Tahoe—wedged between Broken Arrow and Western States, Buzz Burrell sits down with four powerhouse women shaping the future of trail and ultrarunning. These aren’t just elite athletes and insiders; they’re advocates, leaders, and storytellers working to redefine what inclusion, equity, and longevity look like in the sport. Buzz chats with: Anna Frost, a pioneer of professional trail running, who reflects on the early days of sponsorship (free shoes!), standing up for equal prize money, and what it means...
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Meghan Hicks on Ultra Evolution, Media Integrity, and Keeping the Sport Fun
The Buzz
In this episode of The Buzz, Buzz Burrell and friend Hilary Allen sit down with Meghan Hicks—ultrarunner, editor-in-chief of iRunFar, and president of the Hardrock 100 board, to unpack how trail and ultrarunning are changing. They dive into the sport’s major growth spurts, the shifting role of media and brands, why the obsession with 100 miles might be overrated, and how trail running’s anti-commercial roots clash and coexist with its rising popularity. Meghan shares why independent journalism at iRunFar still matters, how the team has adapted from live tweeting to the modern...
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David Roche on Joy, Mortality, and the Science of Going All In
The Buzz
David Roche might be known as the apostle of carbs, but there’s much more to him than mid-race fueling math. In this conversation with Buzz Burrell, David opens up about the deeper forces that shape his running, coaching, and outlook on life. From nearly dying in a bike accident to experiencing depression and ultimately a powerful shift in perspective, David shares how mortality, vulnerability, and joy have become his most important performance tools. He talks candidly about the power of radical empathy—why he responds with love even to internet trolls—and how that mindset connects to...
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Riley Brady Is on Fire: Big Wins, Heat Training, and a Shot at Western States
The Buzz
Riley Brady is having one hell of a season. In this episode of The Buzz, host Buzz Burrell sits down with one of the hottest names in ultrarunning just weeks before they line up at Western States. Fresh off course record wins at the Black Canyon 100K and Quad Rock 50 Mile—not to mention a scorching-fast victory at the Javelina 100—Riley shares what’s working, what they’ve learned, and how they’re keeping the momentum rolling into one of the most prestigious races in the sport. From dialing in nutrition to choosing VaporFlys for the trails, Riley breaks down the decisions and...
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John Kelly on Barkley, Balance, and the Appalachian Trail FKT
The Buzz
What does it take to finish the Barkley Marathons—not once, but three times? And what kind of person dreams of spending 40 straight days trying to break the Appalachian Trail FKT? This week on The Buzz, Buzz Burrell sits down with ultrarunner, data scientist, and father of four John Kelly. Known for his legendary Barkley finishes, the self-invented "Grand Round" in the UK, and a marathon PR under 2:30, John blends scientific rigor with deep grit. He’s not just a top-tier athlete—he’s a methodical thinker applying systems-level thinking to some of the hardest challenges in endurance...
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Brian Metzler on Trail Running’s Media Evolution
The Buzz
🎉 Shoutout to our sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Dirtbag Bar—real fuel made with real food. No mystery syrups, no gut bombs, just tasty, trail-tested ingredients. Get 20% off with code ULTRADIRTBAG20 at checkout. Trail and ultrarunning have never had more reach and attention. In this episode of The Buzz, host Buzz Burrell sits down with Brian Metzler, founding editor of Trail Runner Magazine, longtime gear tester, and one of the most prolific journalists in the sport. Together, they trace the rise and fall of endurance media, from the golden era of print to the digital Wild...
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The Evolution of Anton Krupicka: From Minimalist to Mountain Philosopher
The Buzz
Anton Krupicka never set out to become an icon. But with a string of legendary performances in the early 2000s, including back-to-back wins at Leadville and a second-place finish in the epic 2010 Western States, plus a starring role in Unbreakable, he did. In this episode, Buzz and Anton sit down for a reflective, raw, and deeply insightful conversation about the sport’s past, present, and future. They talk about: The early days of ultrarunning sponsorships and the dawn of the minimalist movement What it felt like to be in Unbreakable—and how that race really felt How Anton’s...
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Part Two: The Most Influential Runner in History - A Conversation with Frank Shorter
The Buzz
Buzz continues his conversation with the man at the center of a pivotal moment in running history. Did you know that, not long ago, athletes risked losing their amateur status—and their shot at the Olympics—if they accepted any form of payment? Even something as simple as having someone buy you lunch could get you banned. This system, known as “shamateurism,” governed the sporting world until Frank Shorter helped change it, forever altering the landscape for athletes worldwide. “We got the White House involved. When the President of the United States talks, even the International...
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The Most Influential Runner in History
The Buzz
Why is Frank Shorter is the most influential runner in the history of the sport? In the debut episode of The Buzz, we hear Frank tell amazing first-hand stories none of us have ever heard before. Frank won the Marathon gold medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics, which is credited with starting the first running boom, and he heard the shots ring out in what came to be known as the Munich Massacre, which forever changed how we think about terrorism. At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Frank was again at a pivotal point in running history, when an unheralded runner, later...
info_outlineTake our listener survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCgLdj8-92G_pLDxkPfuJ0-r477MzZPieRx_qlj1cmP2oybA/viewform?usp=header
Trail running is evolving fast—and this episode takes you inside that transformation.
Recorded live at TrailCon, host Buzz Burrell sits down with four unique voices shaping the sport:
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David Callahan, co-CEO of UltraSignup, on why “Tahoe Trail Week” could be America’s answer to Chamonix.
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Shane Ohly, UK race director, on adventure, jeopardy, and the self-navigation ethos of events like the Dragon’s Back.
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Matt Walsh, media analyst and author of the TrailMix newsletter, on the Golden Trail Series’ TV deal and how athlete-driven storytelling is reshaping the narrative.
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Doug Mayer, author and founder of Run the Alps, with insights into the cultural quirks and traditions of European racing.
From stage races without aid stations to TV-friendly “flower course” formats, this conversation dives into how trail running is growing, changing, and still finding its soul.
Special thanks to Wahoo for supporting this episode—helping athletes train smarter and adventure farther.
And thanks to UltraSignup for powering The Buzz. Ready for your next race? Find it at UltraSignup.com.