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
• [01:22] – Super Shoes in Trail Running: Hype vs. Reality
• [2:06] – The Launch of the World Trail Majors: What It Means for the Sport
• [4:26] – Tara Dower’s Appalachian Trail Record and Other Standout Performances
• [19:50] – Breaking Down Trail Running Demographics with Matt Abbott: Who’s Running and Why?
• [24:42] – The Rise of Backyard Ultras and the Boom in 200+ Mile Races
• [34:05] – Women in Trail Running: Participation Trends and Media Narratives
• [46:39] - Is there a trail running hype bubble?
• [49:43] – UltraSignup CEO David Callahan talks about the growth of trail running
• [55:07] – The growth of run clubs
• [1:02:23]- What sustainable growth looks like for the trail community
  
  Thanks to Our Sponsor:
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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!