Welcome to Trail TMZ, the spicy trail running news breakdown you didn’t know you needed. I’m Jeff Garmire, and this week I dive into the carnage at Western States—Jim Walmsley and Hayden Hawks are out, and so is the “Unbreakable 2” film project (yes, really). I give my unfiltered take on why that matters, how storytelling in our sport is being fumbled, and why it’s time for trail films to embrace the chaos instead of bailing when stars drop.

Then, things heat up with Camille Herron’s cryptic Instagram post—where she dubs herself a sports whistleblower. What’s the truth? What’s hearsay? I break it down and talk about the real harm of social media call-outs in a sport that needs clarity more than confusion.

Next up, we’ve got controversy at Black Canyon 100K involving Aravaipa Running, unauthorized aid, course-cutting, and a 20-minute penalty that turned into a full DQ. Is it a conflict of interest if a team athlete breaks the rules? I was there filming and have thoughts.

And finally, we talk about how college athletics might implode thanks to SEC Football drama—and what that means for the future of running programs and the next generation of trail and ultra athletes.

This episode has drama, nuance, hot takes, and just enough sarcasm to get me in trouble again.

Chapters

00:00 Western States Controversies and Unbreakable 2

04:16 Camille Herron: The Sports Whistleblower

10:01 Aravaipa Running: Cheating Allegations and Controversy

15:24 The Future of College Sports and Its Impact on Running

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I sit down with Coree Woltering—pro athlete for Merrell, Janji, and Smartwool—for a raw and hilarious conversation about his redemption at the Cocodona 250. From being the very first person to drop out of the inaugural race to finishing it five years later, Coree shares the highs, lows, and muddy middle miles of his journey.

We talk about impromptu race entries (Venmoed Southern States 200), wild hallucinations, ankle weirdness, and what happens when your crew gets stranded with a flat tire halfway through a 250-mile race. Coree also opens up about finding joy in ultra-distance running, managing a team for Merrell, and his ambitious upcoming plans—including an Appalachian Trail FKT attempt and maybe even Moab 240.

Follow Coree online: https://www.instagram.com/coreewoltering

Chapters

00:00 Corey Woltering's Journey Begins

02:45 Redemption at Cocodona

06:01 Lessons from Southern States

08:52 The Start of Cocodona 2023

12:07 Navigating Challenges and Embracing Adventure

15:05 The Pacer Experience

18:01 Unexpected Setbacks

21:08 The Descent into Jerome

24:09 The Hangover Trail Experience

34:40 The Journey of Social Media in Ultra Running

37:37 Experiencing the Highs and Lows of Endurance Racing

39:29 The Breakdown: Mental and Physical Challenges

42:44 Crew Dynamics and Support in Ultra Events

45:37 Navigating the Final Stretch: The Last Marathon

49:41 The Finish Line Experience: Quiet Triumphs

53:47 Reflections on Future Races and Goals

56:38 The Evolution of an Ultra Runner: From Triathlons to Ultra Events

01:00:36 Athlete Management: Bridging Experience and Brand Needs

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Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Today’s episode starts off with something I might just turn into a regular segment: Trail TMZ. We dig into the controversy surrounding William Goodge's run across Australia and the data that has people wondering—from heart rate anomalies to 55 mph GPS spikes. Then we take a brief detour into the Camille Herron Wikipedia saga and my lingering sadness that she never came on the show.

But the real highlight is a deep conversation with Aaron Fleisher, a fellow five-time Cocodona 250 finisher. We talk about his journey from stage racing and thru-hiking into the world of 200s, and how he found success (and beer) on trail. We get into hallucination stories, racing strategies, sleep theories, and the evolution of Cocodona over the past five years. Plus, Aaron breaks down his experience at Tour de Géants and what it’s like to compete in a race that makes U.S. ultras look like casual jogs.

We wrap up with some trail name lore (“Food Boobs,” and "Loophole") and ponder how Cocodona became the most community-embraced ultra in the U.S. Oh, and yes—there might be a bumper sticker involved that says "Cocodona sucks, tell your friends."

Follow Aaron online: https://www.instagram.com/mittenmadness/

Follow and shop at out sponsors: Janji.com, Garagegrowngear.com, and Csinstant.coffee

Chapters

00:00 – Trail TMZ: Goodge, Cockrell & the Controversy

03:30 – Camille Herron, Wikipedia & Podcast Rejections

06:00 – Introducing Aaron Fleisher & Cocodona Beginnings

10:00 – Beer, Sandals & Surviving the Inaugural Year

14:00 – Sleep, Strategy & Hallucinations at 200 Milers

19:00 – Through-Hiking Mentality in Ultras

23:00 – Tour des Géants: Europe’s Wildest Ultra

28:00 – Cultural Clash & Why Tour Felt Life-Changing

32:00 – Cocodona’s Future & Becoming a Community Race

36:00 – Trail Names, Reflections & Last Person Standing

Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com

Instagram: thefreeoutside

facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Keywords

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