The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman

Craig Thornley, the race director of Western States 100, and Carrie Meng, the assistant race director and participant, dive into the intricacies of organizing one of North America's premier ultra-marathons. They share tales of race day preparations, highlighting volunteer efforts and teamwork dynamics. Carrie discusses her dual role of directing and running, balancing personal goals with organizational responsibilities. The conversation reveals how strategic hires have streamlined operations and emphasizes the passion of volunteers who make the event truly special.

Emily Hawgood, a professional ultrarunner with a remarkable record at the Western States 100, dives into her journey of continuous improvement. She shares her reflections on the intense competition, particularly the inspiring camaraderie among female runners. Emily discusses the race's challenges, focusing on strategies for mastering the second half and the importance of mental resilience. With insights on racing strategies and a positive mindset, she prepares for the upcoming race, blending ambition with respect for the course and competitors.

David Roche, a professional runner and respected coach, shares insights ahead of his debut at the 2025 Western States 100. He highlights the importance of kindness and community in trail running, fostering deep bonds among athletes. Roche discusses the emotional journey of endurance running, emphasizing personal growth through ultramarathons. Innovative training strategies take center stage as he reveals the significance of speed in endurance events, offering advice on pacing and injury management. His upbeat perspective encapsulates the spirit of running.

Hela Sidibe, a former professional soccer player turned ultramarathon runner with an impressive 2,965-day run streak, joins the conversation. They dive into heated predictions for the 2025 Western States 100, discussing athletes' preparations and the thrills of potential race outcomes. The impact of health challenges on competitors is explored, alongside inspiring stories of older and sub-elite runners. With camaraderie and community spirit at the forefront, this episode captures the essence of the trail running experience, building excitement for the upcoming race.

Heather Jackson, a professional runner and HOKA athlete, recently celebrated a victory at the Unbound XL 350-mile race and is gearing up for the prestigious Western States 100. In this conversation, she reflects on her evolving training strategies and the joy she finds in trail running. Jackson discusses the unpredictable nature of the upcoming women's race, emphasizing the exciting competition among a diverse group of athletes. She also shares insights on race strategy, highlighting the importance of adaptability for long-distance success.

Vincent Bouillard, a HOKA athlete and 2024 UTMB champion, and his wife Kamilah Journet, a seasoned running industry professional at Salomon, share insights on their exciting journey. They discuss the whirlwind of attention after Vincent's UTMB victory and how it has transformed their lives. They also reveal their upcoming parenthood and how that shapes their approach to running. With Vincent preparing for his first Western States, they highlight the importance of community support and teamwork in ultrarunning, making this conversation both personal and inspiring.

Riley Brady, a professional Nike runner known for her impressive trail race performances, joins for a vibrant pre-race chat. She reflects on her journey, including earning a golden ticket at Javelina Jundred and setting a course record at Black Canyon. Riley discusses the importance of humility in overcoming challenges, her strategies for training, and the role of a supportive team in her growth. As she prepares for her second Western States, her excitement and newfound calm bring a refreshing perspective to the competitive trail running landscape.

Join legendary ultrarunners Jim Walmsley, Scott Jurek, Hal Koerner, Magda Boulet, and Cat Bradley as they dive into their unforgettable experiences at the Western States race. Magda shares her triumphs and future adventures, while Cat opens up about the highs and lows of her running journey. The champions reflect on personal stories that shaped their careers and the importance of community support. They also discuss the evolving sport of ultrarunning and the vital role of mentorship, showcasing the passion that fuels their endurance.

In this dynamic conversation with Adam Peterman, a professional runner for HOKA and 2022 Western States champion, he shares insights as he prepares for this iconic ultra-marathon again. He reflects on his growth and emotions leading up to the race. The discussion includes his strategic race preparation, including self-coaching and training adjustments. Adam also shares innovative heat training tactics to enhance performance, emphasizing the camaraderie among runners and the thrill of competition as he aims for another golden ticket.

Welcome to Freetrail's coverage of the 2025 Western States 100! Join us live every day of race week at 3:30pm PT as we discuss the top storylines of this year's race, preview the fields and provide our personal predictions for the win. Today is our Official Western States Preview Show, hosted by Dylan Bowman, Corrine Malcolm and Tim Tollefson. What do you think? Anything we missed? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Don't forget to pick your favorite athletes in Freetrail Fantasy at fantasy.freetrail.com for your chance to win sweet prizes! We're picking ten deep and there are epic prizes on the line from HOKA, Freetrail, Neversecond, Ketone IQ and more! Want to learn more about Freetrail? Check out Freetrail.com to learn more and consider joining our membership community, Freetrail Pro, to be part of the best global online community of passionate trail runners. Best sport in the world! Our Western States coverage is brought to you by our good friends at HOKA. We're grateful for their generous support and belief in Freetrail. Make sure to check out the latest and greatest from HOKA, the Mafate X. The Mafate X is all about innovation and pushing past limits. HOKA evolved their max-cushion trail experience to provide the confidence, control, and adaptability ultra runners require for their biggest trail efforts. Embracing the paradox of max cushion and stability on trail to develop a new experience for the longest adventures. You can learn more and shop here: https://www.hoka.com/en/us/mafate/ Freetrail Links: Website | https://freetrail.com/ Freetrail Pro | https://freetrail.com/pro/ Patreon | / dylanbowman Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrai... YouTube | / @freetrail Freetrail Experts | https://freetrail.com/experts/ Dylan Links: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo/?hl=en Twitter | https://twitter.com/dylanbo?lang=en LinkedIn | / dylan-bowman-06174380