The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman

Anthony Costales, a resilient pro ultrarunner and 2026 Black Canyon 100K men's runner-up and former champion, and Jenn Lichter, a pro ultrarunner and 2026 women's winner and new course record holder, decompress after standout performances. They talk race buildup, mid-race recovery and tactics, gear choices like carbon shoes, pacing through Table Mesa, and what’s next on the road to Western States.

Hans Troyer, professional ultrarunner and 2026 Black Canyon 100K men's champion, reflects on his race, the decisive solo move, and breaking the course record. He talks pacing and aid-station tactics, dehydration fears, and team surges that shaped the front pack. Hans also shares life changes, a move to Boulder, and plans for peaking at Western States.

Jacob (Jake) Banta, ultrarunner and photographer who earned a Golden Ticket with a breakthrough 102K result. Robyn Lesh, professional ultrarunner and 50K champion sharing race-day strategy and conditions. They recount tactical moves, muddy course and shoe choices, confidence and coaching, and the race’s key performances and ticket implications in lively, on-the-ground detail.

Race weekend preview and Golden Ticket drama with final thoughts and stats from the 100K. Heated debate over injury updates and surprise pre-race plans. Deep dive into winning scenarios, margins of victory, and who might podium in the 50K and 100K. Quick course sketch highlights net-downhill rhythm, technical sections, and contenders versus dark horses.

Seth Ruling, elite ultrarunner and 2025 Black Canyon men's champion and course-record holder, reflects on his win. EmKay Sullivan, pro ultrarunner and 2025 golden-ticket winner, shares course insights. They discuss Black Canyon’s fast-to-technical terrain, early pack positioning, critical aid stations, pacing strategies, and which men and women could contend for golden tickets.

Dani Moreno, professional ultrarunner and race analyst, breaks down Tarawera’s runnable, humid forest trails and key climbs. Tim Tollefson, pro ultrarunner and anti-doping advocate, offers pacing and tactical prep like a fast 100K. They preview course changes, weather risks, who travels best regionally, top contenders on both sides, and how Western States Golden Tickets could play out.

A lively roundup of the top storylines around two major trail races. Short segments cover road-to-trail moves, big-name athletes returning to defend titles, and debutants stepping up to 100K. Analytics on competition depth and ticket dynamics get attention. There is also talk of course records, rising 50K prestige, sponsor pressure, and a highlighted Strava training file.

Anne Flower, an emergency physician turned pro ultrarunner, broke Leadville’s 31-year course record and set a 50-mile world record in 2025. She talks about balancing ER shifts with elite training. She recalls the Leadville breakthrough, the Tunnel Hill world record, new HOKA and Neversecond partnerships, and plans for upcoming races like Black Canyon.

Anna Gibson, a Jackson Hole pro trail runner turned ski mountaineer with a World Cup win. Cam Smith, Crested Butte pro and Team USA skimo leader who helped secure Olympic qualification. They talk Olympic motivation and emotional wins. They explain mixed relay format, race tactics, transitions, team building, injury comebacks, and the growth of ski mountaineering in North America.

Free agency shakeups and major signings reshaping team strategies and global brand moves. A debate on Kilian Jornet's essay about the Olympics and what Olympic attention could mean for trail running. Introduction of a new Realized Competition Index to measure race competitiveness. Road debuts of trail stars at Boston and a Strava run spotlight with training and race intel.