Singletrack

What a wild weekend in the Arizona desert. Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling return to the show to break down everything that unfolded at the 2026 Black Canyon 100K. We dive into course-record performances from Hans Troyer and Jennifer Lichter, Anne Flower’s front-running strength, Anthony Costales’ return to form, the drama of Molly Seidel’s 100K debut, and one of the deepest Golden Ticket distributions in recent memory.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening + On-the-Ground Experience (Livestream, Aid Stations, 50K PR)
04:34 “Course Records Are Contagious” - Women’s Race Explodes
06:47 Anne Flower’s No-Cooling Strategy + Heat Management Debate
10:18 Is This the Most Competitive Women’s Western States Field Ever?
11:14 Hans Troyer’s Course Record + Race Dynamics
13:06 Golden Ticket Chaos in the Men’s Field
16:20 Depth vs. Density - Are Fields Actually Getting Tighter?
16:47 Split Analysis: Men vs. Women Slowdown Percentages
22:49 Molly Seidel’s Mid-Race Mistakes + “Controlled Micro Fade”
26:49 Is Gloriana - Deep Canyon the Most Dangerous Section?
29:50 “Random Ballers” + No Intimidation at the Start Line
33:59 How Many Guys Could’ve Run Sub-7:30?
36:07 Fantasy Picks + Predictions (Sub-8 Call)
37:33 Underrated Performances: Tracen Knopp, Hans’ Next-Gen Status
43:00 Tara Dower Interview + Emotional Finish Line Moments
49:39 Anthony Costales Is Back
50:47 Francesco Puppi’s Fall + What It Means for Western States
53:29 Gear Talk + 50K Pace Explosion
55:29 Golden Ticket Impact on Western States 2026
58:28 Who Still Needs a Ticket? (Chianti / Canyons)
1:00:10 Final Thoughts - Media, Molly’s Impact, The Women’s Depth

Partners:

* Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)

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* Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/singletrack)

* Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/pages/singletrack)
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In one of the most action-packed weekends of ultrarunning in recent memory, we followed Tarawera, Black Canyon, and the Barkley Marathons as they unfolded simultaneously. Jeff Colt joins the show to break it all down. We also cover the PTRA’s advisory vote on pacing at championship-level races, crowdfunded prize purses, Outside Interactive’s profitability, the 603 Endurance sale to Marathon Sports, Mount to Coast’s pro team announcement, and Broken Arrow’s Trail Futures initiative.

Timestamps:
00:00 Black Canyon 100K + 50K Highlights
04:04 Tarawera 102K Insights
08:06 Barkley Marathons Update
12:08 Crowdfunded Prize Purse Initiative
15:54 Pacer Vote and Its Implications
19:58 Outside Interactive's Profitability
23:57 603 Endurance Acquisition
25:46 Mount to Coast Team Announcement

Partners:
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/singletrack)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/pages/singletrack)
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Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at this year’s Black Canyon 100K.
Timestamps:
02:12 Black Canyon 100K Storylines
05:35 Training Strategies and Race Day Tactics
10:13 Course Characteristics, Projected Weather Conditions 
19:06 Race Execution and Aid Station Strategies
35:33 Women's Field Analysis
58:40  Men's Field Analysis
01:27:06 Final Thoughts and Race Day Responsibilities

Partners:
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/singletrack)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/pages/singletrack)
Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/) 

Additional Links:
Follow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, Twitter
Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
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This is the February 9th, 2026 edition of Singletrack News.

Timestamps:
01:28 Golden Trail World Series Schedule Announcement
05:44 Sky Running Series Announcement
09:17 Tarawera 102K
12:54 New UTMB Race at Snowbasin
17:25 David Goggins signs up for Cocodona
19:31 Debate on Pacer-Free Golden Tickets
22:41 Diadorra's Sub Four Mile Challenge Announcement
25:33 Prize Money News
27:56 Open Athlete Manager role at The Feed
30:58 Courtney Dauwalter to Naak
33:56 Jennifer Lichter, Adam Merry, Meg McKenzie moves
36:20 Bear Tags and Silver Tickets
38:45 Opportunities for Involvement in Trail Running Organizations

Partners:
Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/singletrack)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/pages/singletrack)
Support the show

In this conversation, Sabrina Stanley reflects on returning to competition after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the peak of her ultrarunning career. She recounts the medical uncertainty that followed her initial diagnosis, the surgeries, chemotherapy, and ongoing immunotherapy that reshaped more than a year of her life. Stanley discusses racing again while still in recovery, including her recent return at the Arc of Attrition 100, and what it meant to simply reach the start line.
She also speaks candidly about her complicated relationship with the sport itself -why she doesn’t closely follow ultrarunning, how she intentionally limits her exposure to public opinion, and how she has built a professional career largely insulated from external narratives. The conversation touches on her partnership with OnlyFans, her views on athlete autonomy and body regulation, and the tradeoffs of stepping outside traditional sponsorship models while continuing to pursue elite performance.

Timestamps:
00:00 Sabrina's Unique Perspective on Ultra Running
06:14 The Misunderstood World of OnlyFans
12:03 The Impact of Ovarian Cancer on Sabrina's Career
24:30 Navigating Cancer and Social Connections
27:55 Training Through Treatment: A Personal Journey
39:01 The Ongoing Battle: Living with Uncertainty
44:56 Racing Again, Arc of Attrition 100 Miler

Partners:

Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/singletrack)
Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)
Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)
Support the show