Caley Fretz is the Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Escape Collective, a member-funded independent cycling media company. As Caley says in his LinkedIn bio, he's “used everything learned over a decade in journalism to build a more sustainable media company”. And that’s what we discuss in this episode - whether his experiences in the cycling space translate over to what current operations and the future of media look like in the trail running world.

If you’re interested in the business of sports and have enjoyed our conversations on these topics in the past, you’ll enjoy this one too.

Timestamps:

• (0:58) - Escape Collective backstory, Caley's sports journalism background
• (10:05) - explaining how we got to the current state of endurance sports media
• (23:38) - pros and cons of owned versus rented media channels
• (33:03) - pros and cons of alignment with fans versus versus partners, advertisers
• (39:11) - what happens next for the middle of the media market
• (43:03) - replicating parts of the Athletic business model
• (53:38) - future of endurance sports media, possible business models

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:

• Follow Caley on LinkedIn
• Email Caley (editor@escapecollective.com)
• Escape Collective
• Escape Collective Transparency Report
• Ketone Study
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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This episode is dedicated to my crew: Julia Campanelli, Sherman, Ned Melanson, Jeremiah Mullane, Joey Campanelli, Caleb Olson, Morgan Olson, and Scott Hickenlooper. Without you all, this wouldn't have been possible. I'm forever grateful. - Finn



Timestamps:

• 02:02 - The Physical and Mental Challenges of a 200-Mile Race
• 09:06 - The Importance of Crew Support and Nutrition
• 23:29 - Overcoming Isolation and Low Moments in the Race
• 33:42 - Strategic Use of Live Tracker and Pacers
• 41:31 - Celebrating Checkpoints Instead of Fixating on the Finish Line
• 52:31 - The Evolving Competitiveness of 200-Mile Races
• 57:00 - Streamlined and Minimalist Gear Choices in the Future
• 01:26:35 - The Promising Future of The Cocodona 250

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Gorewear - use code Singletrack30 at checkout on their website (https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/home) to get 30% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Ansel Dickey joins the show to talk about his experience making “Walmsley”, what it was like getting to know and work with Jim, what it’s like working as a creative in the endurance sports industry, and his role as a Race Director for Vermont Overland.


Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:

• Follow Ansel on Instagram, LinkedIn
• Overland Studio, Overland Races
• Walmsley Film
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

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Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt join Singletrack to riff on the latest news in the ultra-trail running world.


Timestamps:

• (1:42) - Canyons 100K Highlights
• (32:35) - Regional Trail Team Competitions (Like Boulder vs Salt Lake)
• (52:36) - UTMB Americas Major Moving From Canyons To Kodiak In 2025
• (63:49) - Merrell's Campaign To Get Trail Running In The Olympics
• (78:39) - Jim Walmsley Returning To UTMB In 2024?
• (93:31) - Spring Energy Gel Controversey

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.

Additional Links:

• Follow Jeff on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

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Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at the 2024 Canyons 100K.

Timestamps:

• (0:00) - course strategy, weather conditions, historical performance data, competitive race context
• (30:22) - women's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictions
• (66:07) - men's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictions

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:

• Follow Leah on Instagram, Strava, Twitter
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Jeff Browning joins the show to talk about his history in the sport, competitive relevance over the last two decades, and insights on his training and preparation leading into the 2024 Cocodona 250.

Timestamps:

• (0:00) - Wasatch 100 Reflections
• (11:49) - Competitive Relevance of Older Ultrarunners
• (29:19) - Patagonia Days
• (36:55) - 200 Mile Racing Discussion, 2024 Cocodona 250 Specifics

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:

• Jeff's Personal Website and Coaching Business
• Follow Jeff on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Simon Freeman is the Co-Founder of Like The Wind Magazine. In this episode, we talk about differences in running culture across the globe, the nuts and bolts of building and maintaining a media brand in the sport, and conclude with some of his insights on the professional scene in Iten, Kenya.

Timestamps:

• (0:26) - US Tour, Differences In Running Cultures Across The World
• (9:03) - Inspirations for Like The Wind Magazine, Fulfilling Content Creation
• (25:12) - Taking A Point Of View In Running Media
• (35:47) - More Discussion Of Running Media Trends
• (68:41) - More Like The Wind Magazine Discussion
• (74:50) - 70s and 80s US Marathoning Scene, Duel In The Sun, Iten, Kenya

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:

• Like The Wind Magazine
• Connect with Simon on LinkedIn
• People vs Algorithms Podcast
• Podcast Graveyard Podcast
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Jasmin Paris returns to the Singletrack Podcast to talk about her historic, limits-defying finish at the 2024 Barkley Marathons.

Timestamps:

• 1:59 The Story Behind the Gear
• 6:57 Sponsorship Status, The Green Runners, Promoting Sustainability
• 10:13 Hardrock 100, Future Races and Travel
• 13:31 Harnessing the Media Spotlight
• 23:25 Discovering the Barkley After The 2019 Spine, Laz Remarks
• 29:14 Mock Barkley Courses In Training
• 37:48 Reflections and Moving Forward
• 44:24 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
  
  

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:

• The Green Runners
• 2022 Jasmin Paris Singletrack Interview
• IRunFar Interview, Freetrail Interview
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the Show.