Episodes

  • Michelino Sunseri | Grand Teton FKT & The Aftermath

    Michelino Sunseri | Grand Teton FKT & The Aftermath
    Jan 15 2025
    Michelino Sunseri is a professional runner living in Driggs, ID. In September 2024, Michelino broke the existing FKT on the Grand Teton, held for 12 years by Andy Anderson - one of the longest standing and most iconic up/down speed records in mountain running. During the attempt, Michelino made the strategic decision to take the "Old Climber's Trail," deviating from the official route for a period during the descent. Michelino managed to lower the existing FKT by a little over 2mins, finishing in 2:50:50. A few days after the run, controversy emerged as it related to Michelino's decision to use the Old Climber's Trail, creating a debate about FKT ethics and whether Michelino deserved to retain the record even though he used a slightly different route from the previous record holder. A week later, on September 9th, Fastest Known Time officially rejected the record based on objections from the National Park Service based again on Michelino's decision to use the Old Climber's Trail instead of staying on the officially recognized route. On September 25, 2024, the NPS charged Michelino under 36 CFR 2.1(b) with an initial court appearance, a statute that carries a maximum penalty of $5,000 and/or six months in jail. In this podcast, we discuss the history of FKTs on the Grand Teton, including Michelino's personal history projecting the route. We talk through the ethics of FKTs and the grey area that exists and that this event revealed. We discuss the rejection of his FKT and the subsequent legal squabble that has ensued. Please visit the following links to learn more: Michelino's Strava file from the attempt Grand Teton FKT page Written recap of the timeline Petition to drop the charges against Michelino Anton & Kilian video from 2012 Sponsors: Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland FootwearGrab a trail running pack from OspreyUse code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off Never Second nutrition at never2.comGo to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • TROY Recap, Honorable Mentions, & Athlete Free Agency Update

    TROY Recap, Honorable Mentions, & Athlete Free Agency Update
    Jan 12 2025

    Corrine Malcolm joins the show again to break down the news in trail running.

    Topics discussed:

    • Trail Runner of the Year results & analysis
    • Trail Performance of the Year results & analysis
    • Athlete specialization and the disciplines represented in the results
    • American bias and whether it was present in the 2024 results
    • Feedback received from trail fans
    • Honorable mentions: 11-20th TROY & 6-10 TPOY
    • Pro athlete free agency
    • Courtney Dauwalter's contract extension with Salomon
    • Big name athletes on the move
    • David Roche intentionally remaining independent
    • Stian Angermund's post about the resolution of his suspension and return to racing

    Sponsors:

    • Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland Footwear
    • Grab a trail running pack from Osprey
    • Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off of your first order of Never Second nutrition at never2.com
    • Go to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ

    Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts

    Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Gina Lucrezi | Founding Trail Sisters & Running for Office

    Gina Lucrezi | Founding Trail Sisters & Running for Office
    Jan 9 2025

    Gina Lucrezi is a longtime trail runner and the founder of Trail Sisters, a global organization providing education, resources, and community to female trail runners around the world. Recently Gina ran for Commissioner of Chaffee County where she lives in Buena Vista, CO. Her campaign was captured in a film made by Auteur Sportif which documents how Gina has led a life of service and how she plans to continue that work as a public servant. This is her first appearance on the podcast.

    Topics discussed:

    • Gina's background and how the seeds of her career were planted
    • The founding story of Trail Sisters
    • Growing and nurturing the community over time
    • The introduction of Trail Sisters Approved standards
    • The future of Trail Sisters as Gina prepares to take office
    • Chaffee County, where it is and what makes it special
    • The importance of local politics and why it "gets in your blood"
    • The realities of campaigning, including fundraising and communication with constituents
    • Her goals for her term
    • A lot more!

    Sponsors:

    • Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland Footwear
    • Grab a trail running pack from Osprey
    • Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off Never Second nutrition at never2.com
    • Go to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ

    Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts

    Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Karel Sabbe | FKT Legend & Barkley Marathons Finisher

    Karel Sabbe | FKT Legend & Barkley Marathons Finisher
    Dec 23 2024
    Karel Sabbe is a trail runner for On from Belgium, specializing in long trail FKTs. Most notably Karel set the PCT FKT in 2016, the AT FKT in 2021, the Via Alpina FKT in 2021, and the PCT FKT again in 2023. He is also a Barkley Marathons finisher and Bigs Backyard Ultra World Champion. The longer and harder the adventures, the more he excels. This is his first appearance on the podcast. Topics discussed:
    • Karel's early exposure to long trail hiking
    • The original inspiration to pursue FKTs
    • The psychological and spiritual space Karel discovers in long efforts
    • Karel's two completions on the PCT
    • Comparing and contrasting the AT and the PCT
    • Tara Dower's new AT FKT and their different approaches
    • Karel's brother-in-law and crew chief
    • Lessons from his 2023 Barkley finish
    • Announcing his next big project beginning early next year
    • A lot more!

    FOLLOW KAREL ON IG FOLLOW KAREL ON STRAVA KAREL'S PROFILE ON FKT Sponsors:
    • Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland Footwear
    • Grab a trail running pack from Osprey
    • Use code FT15 for 15% off Gnarly Nutrition
    • Go to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ

    Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Corrine Malcolm | 2024 Year In Review

    Corrine Malcolm | 2024 Year In Review
    Dec 16 2024
    Corrine Malcolm is a pro trail runner, media personality, and co-host of the Trail Society Podcast. She is our most frequent recurring guest and also Freetrail's Editor-in-Chief. As is our tradition, Corrine is back for our End of Year Podcast where we celebrate the 2024 trail running season. These are the categories that we review:
    • Trail Runner Of The Year: Top-5 M/W
    • Performance Of The Year: Top-3 M/F
    • FKTs Of The Year
    • Rookies Of The Year
    • Overall Story of 2024
    • Bill Dooper Spirit Award - Someone who made an impact outside of being a good athlete
    • Predictions for 2025
    • Personal highlights from 2024 and what we're excited about for 2025

    Sponsors:
    • Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland Footwear
    • Grab a trail running pack from Osprey
    • Use code FT15 for 15% off Gnarly Nutrition
    • Go to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ

    Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Nick Thompson | The Atlantic CEO & 50k Age-Group Record Holder

    Nick Thompson | The Atlantic CEO & 50k Age-Group Record Holder
    Dec 11 2024
    Nick Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic, the famous American magazine and digital publisher founded in 1857. Before that, Nick was an Editor at both Wired and The New Yorker, developing a reputation for his great reporting, unique perspectives, and impactful stories across a range of subject matter. In addition to his amazing professional career, Nick has also been a committed runner for life, a talented marathon runner, who is now dabbling in trail and ultrarunning. Back in 2021, Nick set an age group American record for 50k running 3:04, famously at the same time that Des Linden broke the Women’s world record at the distance. Now, Nick is experimenting with trail and ultra running, doing a few 50 milers and a 100k, with at least some curiosity about the 100 mile distance. I’ve been a massive admirer of Nick’s for a while. A media guy who is also a runner, Nick is an inspiration for me and I’m honored to have him on the show. FOLLOW NICK ON LINKEDIN FOLLOW NICK ON IG FOLLOW NICK ON STRAVA MOSTLY HARMLESS STORY & FOLLOWUP VOTE FOR TROY VOTE FOR TPOY Sponsors: Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland FootwearGrab a trail running pack from OspreyUse code FT15 for 15% off Gnarly NutritionGo to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Lauren Gregory | Rookie of the Year

    Lauren Gregory | Rookie of the Year
    Dec 3 2024

    Lauren Gregory is a pro athlete for Nike Trail living in New England. This season, Lauren had a big breakthrough in her professional career, notching three top-10 performances in Golden Trail World Series races, including an amazing 2nd place finish at the World Final in October. She has a huge career ahead of her and we're excited to host her on the podcast.

    Topics discussed:

    • Lauren's background and history with sport
    • Her bronze medal from the 2017 Junior Mountain Running World Championship
    • Winning an NCAA Cross Country National Championship
    • Signing with Nike and the realities of going pro
    • The Trail Team and how it's onboarded new athletes to trail running
    • The advantages and disadvantages of living on the East Coast
    • Her coach Ben True, and he's influenced her training
    • Her 2024 season and reasons for the success
    • Goals for the future
    • A lot more!

    VOTE FOR TROY

    VOTE FOR TPOY

    FOLLOW LAUREN ON IG

    FOLLOW LAUREN ON STRAVA

    Sponsors:

    • Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland Footwear
    • Grab a trail running pack from Osprey
    • Use code FT15 for 15% off Gnarly Nutrition
    • Go to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ

    Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts

    Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Aaron Lutze | Contract Season & The Pro Athlete Blueprint (REPLAY)

    Aaron Lutze | Contract Season & The Pro Athlete Blueprint (REPLAY)
    Nov 21 2024

    Aaron Lutze is a creator and sports marketing savant. He's also a dear friend and mentor who has had an enormous impact on my career as an athlete and content creator. Aaron recruited me to Red Bull and acted as my manager for many years. He's recognized as one of the best sports marketers in the industry. Now, Aaron and I co-host another podcast called Second Nature where we talk about the Outdoor Industry, endeavoring to help people build brands, businesses, and careers in the space.

    In this conversation, we talk about the past and present of athlete partnerships, the reasons brands sponsor athletes, the value of creating longform content, audience vs. community, the future of athlete partnerships, and a lot more!

    LISTEN TO SECOND NATURE

    SIGNUP FOR SECOND NATURE NEWSLETTER

    FOLLOW SECOND NATURE ON LINKEDIN

    SIGNUP FOR THE FREETRAIL NEWSLETTER

    Sponsors:

    • Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland Footwear
    • Use code freetrail15 for 15% off Gnarly Nutrition
    • Use code BFCM24 for 20% off a one time purchase or 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ at Ketone.com
    • Get your next favorite pack at Osprey.com or at your favorite local retailer.

    Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts

    Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava
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    1 hr and 22 mins