The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman Rest Day | Chianti Preview, Kilian to Zegama, UTMB x FloTrack, Free Agency Updates, & The Big Alta
16 snips
Mar 17, 2026 Andy Wacker, founder of The Trail Team who builds pathways for NCAA athletes into pro trail running. He talks about the Trail Team mission, roster picks for 2026, and why brands should invest in development. Other highlights include Chianti’s brutal course features, Kilian returning to Zegama, UTMB’s FloTrack broadcast deal, and recent free agency moves.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Killian Chooses Meaningful Races
- Killian Jornet is choosing meaningful, local races and balancing short and long efforts, signaling a strategic season approach rather than maximizing quantity.
- Adding Zegama mirrors his 2022 schedule (Zegama, Western States, Sierras, UTMB), suggesting targeted form peaks for key events.
Chianti Feels Like Death By 16,000 Cuts
- Chianti 120K races like a fast 75–120K with 16,500ft but many short punchy climbs that fatigue runners via repeated efforts.
- Much of the course is paved or access roads between vineyards and can be muddy and thorny, demanding quick gear changes.
Train For Constant Gear Changes
- Race Chianti by practicing frequent gear shifts and short steep efforts rather than long sustained climbs.
- Prepare for mixed surfaces and wet mud; expect concrete/dirt road speed sections to alternate with technical muddy connectors.