Trail Runner Nation

Scott and Don have been putting out Trail Runner Nation episodes since the early days of running podcasts, and the archive shows it — 774 episodes and counting. That kind of longevity in a niche sport says something. The show bills itself as a gathering place for the trail and ultrarunning community, from total beginners to sponsored pros, and it actually delivers on that range. Each weekly episode typically features a guest from the trail world — think endurance science writer Alex Hutchinson breaking down the latest research, or ultrarunner Iron Mike Wardian recounting some absurd multi-day adventure, or a sports podiatrist explaining why your toenails keep falling off. The conversations lean educational but never feel like lectures. There's a genuine curiosity in how Scott and Don approach their guests, asking follow-up questions that real runners actually want answered. Topics rotate through race nutrition, pacing strategy for mountain courses, strength training for aging trail runners, VO2 max optimization, and mental focus techniques. They also cover the less glamorous side of the sport — foot care, injury prevention, adapting after setbacks. The show holds a 4.5-star rating from over 1,150 reviewers, which for a podcast this long-running is impressive. People clearly keep listening because the content stays relevant and the hosts haven't lost their enthusiasm. If trail running is your thing and you want a podcast that treats it as both a serious athletic pursuit and a source of genuine joy, this is the one with the deepest bench of knowledge.