The Drop

Meg and Thomas sit down with Sharon Lokedi at Under Armour's HQ to talk about her recent Boston win, borrowing someone's watch, enjoying downtime and extra sleep, and a whole lot more.

Some amazing things went down at Cocodona, so we cover those from the road runners perspective, before diving into a wide ranging conversation regarding Sara Hall's new book (as well as other books), roasts of comedians and runners, and getting pepper sprayed in the face in Deep Ellum. Plus, more details on Summer GRIT and our contest to join us at Western States with Hoka.

JOIN US AT WESTERN STATES!

Believe in the Run and Hoka are bringing one lucky fan to join us at Western States! Stay with us in Olympic Valley as we host shakeout runs, tackle the High Camp challenge, run the legendary beer mile, and soak in every moment at the Escarpment and finish line of the most iconic 100-mile race in the world. Apply HERE to join us in June: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRssHXBjPhvjNqV7achcoJkPwWTBIcKB7C5HJqKlz4NqpiGg/viewform

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

LMNT

Summer hydration has never been better, because Lemonade Ice Tea is finally here! Crisp and refreshing, it delivers 1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium, plus– 50 mg of caffeine, just enough for that extra boost. And if you're an insider, you can get the limited-edition Pink Lemonade. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

PILLAR

If you’re training hard, traveling to races, or just stacking miles week after week, you know how easy it is for your immune system to take a hit. That’s why we’ve been reaching for PILLAR Ultra Immune C. It contains a high dosage of Vitamin C (about 16-17 oranges worth in one scoop), which helps fight off illness and protects your body from the stress of intense training. Head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

Description: The trio talks about Cocodona. This time, it is after Alex has finished the race in under 100 hours! She gives us insight on her adventure as she is still processing the whole experience.Guest: Adam Copeland is the founder of Tantrums, a pack company that disrupted our favorite gear lists list year. While their flagship design, the Crest 6, still holds as one of the highest performing packs, there are new products on the horizon.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here:https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-dirt-division-x-soar

It's been an unruly ride, but it's time to say bon voyage to Spirit Airlines. While we're mourning that, we still found time to run in the Brooks Hyperion Max 4 and Ghost Max 4. Still, not nearly enough miles as our trail reviewer Alex, who is currently at mile 211 at the Cocodona 250 (at the time we're writing this). We talk about all that and more in this week's edition of The Drop.

Join us at Western States, apply HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRssHXBjPhvjNqV7achcoJkPwWTBIcKB7C5HJqKlz4NqpiGg/viewform

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

LMNT: Summer hydration has never been better, because Lemonade Ice Tea is finally here! Crisp and refreshing, it delivers 1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium, plus– 50 mg of caffeine, just enough for that extra boost. And if you're an insider, you can get the limited-edition Pink Lemonade. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

PILLAR: Recently, we’ve been taking PILLAR Triple Magnesium, and it’s been a game-changer for our sleep and recovery. WE take it about 30 minutes before bed each night which gives us great sleep and helps us recover better so we're ready to train again tomorrow.If you want to try PILLAR, you can head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

SWIFTWICK: You already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. We wear them pretty much every day, whether it's the Flite XT crew or the low cut no-show. Get yourself ready for the new year and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com

Description: Alex took on the challenge of Cocodona 250. Yes, a 250 mile race across the Arizona desert. She talks with Taylor and Reese who have some concerns and questions on motivation, tactics, and gear.

Guest: Brandon Crouche is the Product Merchandiser for Salomon North American. Taylor and Brandon talk about his career at Salomon, the development of the GRVL product, and how it all fits into the broader scope of Salomon as a brand.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here:https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-dirt-division-x-soar

Thomas sits down with Dave Hashim, professional photographer, runner, and friend of the podcast. To see Dave's work, you can find him on Instagram at @dhash.

On Sunday, the sport of running and the art of marathoning was forever changed as Sebastian Sawe ran the first-ever official sub-2-hour marathon. He wasn't the only one to do it, of course, and they both ran in the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, the lightest race day shoe ever at 99 grams. We give our thoughts on the race and the past and future of footwear, as well as plenty of other running (and non-running discussion).

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

SWIFTWICK: You already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. We wear them pretty much every day, whether it's the Flite XT crew or the low cut no-show. Get yourself ready for the new year and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com

LMNT: Don't miss out on the sparkling goodness of LMNT, now delivered in a 12 oz slim can with four refreshing flavors: Pineapple Salt, Black Cherry Salt, Lemonade Salt, and Orange Salt. These tasty treats deliver 500 mg sodium, 100 mg potassium, and 30 mg magnesium. And don't forget to mark your calendar for the all-new Lemonade Iced Tea coming on May 6! Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

PILLAR: Collagen Repair is designed to support tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue - the stuff that takes a beating when you’re running day after day. PILLAR Collagen Repair is a smart addition to your routine, ensuring you stay healthy when you're working your hardest. If you want to try PILLAR, you can head to pillarperformance.shop or ⁠TheFeed.com/pillar⁠ and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

Alex and Taylor girll Reese after her first 100k finish! Reese just ran the Canyons 100k by UTMB, one of the most competitive races in North America. They talk travel, race strategies, and of course gear.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here:https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-dirt-division-x-soar

One if by land, two if by sea, twenty-six-point-two if by running from Hopkinton to Boston. We had a full weekend of activities from our Mount to Coast movie night to the Boston 5K to the New Balance Team Relay to the massive Adidas x Heartbreak Hill shakeout run. Also, a race on Monday as Meg went hard on the hills for the 130th edition of the Boston Marathon. We recap it all in this episode, so thank you to everyone who showed up and made it such a memorable weekend.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

SWIFTWICK
You already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. We wear them pretty much every day, whether it's the Flite XT crew or the low cut no-show. Get yourself ready for the new year and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com

LMNT
Don't miss out on the sparkling goodness of LMNT, now delivered in a 12 oz slim can with four refreshing flavors: Pineapple Salt, Black Cherry Salt, Lemonade Salt, and Orange Salt. These tasty treats deliver 500 mg sodium, 100 mg potassium, and 30 mg magnesium. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

PILLAR
If you’re training hard, traveling to races, or just stacking miles week after week, you know how easy it is for your immune system to take a hit. That’s why we’ve been reaching for PILLAR Ultra Immune C. It contains a high dosage of Vitamin C (about 16-17 oranges worth in one scoop), which helps fight off illness and protects your body from the stress of intense training. Head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

Alex, Reese, and Taylor sit down for a multi-session chat about heat. It effects us all differently and there are ways to combat it and prepare your body for the demands of running when it's hot.

Guest: Andrew Bumbalough is the Product Line Manager for Nike ACG. He sets a few things straight for the sub-brand and talks about their current and future investment into the trail running and outdoor space.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here:https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-dirt-division-x-soar

Thomas and Meg sit down to talk to Andy Murray, who has just a few accolades: three Grand Slam titles, two Olympic singles gold medals, and world no. 1 in 2016. Need we say more? In addition to his illustrious career, Andy is an ambassador and investor in Hylo.

Learn more about the brand by visiting https://hyloathletics.com/

The 130th edition of the Boston Marathon is upon us and it's shaping up to be a picture perfect day for racing. But before that, we have plenty of activities, so join us for a weekend of fun, whether you're racing or not. We cover all that before diving into the Marathon Des Sables across the Sahara Desert, as Desert Des Linden goes on another side quest and takes third place OA. If you're running on Monday, good luck and don't forget to take your LMNT!

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

SWIFTWICK
In 2025 we launched a vintage collection in celebration of the Boston Marathon with Cole Townsend of Running Supply that sold out in minutes. For this year's race, we've teamed up again for something new. Meet our limited edition, vintage-inspired drop: a T-shirt and sock collection designed to carry you through the streets of Boston. Available now: https://swiftwick.com/collections/boston-marathon-2026

PLUS...

If you'll be in Boston during race week, you’ll be able to shop the collection (along with a new Boston-exclusive drop) at Rec Room in collaboration with Running Supply, located at 334 Newbury St. Stop by the marathon boutique, where you’ll also find brands like SOAR, Currently, Pruzan, Bonzer, Like the Wind, Alex Zono, and Raide.

LMNT
Did you know? LMNT Sparkling comes in a 12 oz slim can with four refreshing flavors: Pineapple Salt, Black Cherry Salt, Lemonade Salt, and Orange Salt, and they’re now available online! These tasty slim cans deliver 500 mg sodium, 100 mg potassium, and 30 mg magnesium. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

PILLAR
Recently, we’ve been taking PILLAR Triple Magnesium, and it’s been a game-changer for our sleep and recovery. WE take it about 30 minutes before bed each night which gives us great sleep and helps us recover better so we're ready to train again tomorrow.

If you want to try PILLAR, you can head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

Taylor, Alex, and Renee (Midwest reviewer) discuss two of the biggest spring trail events in the US and the brands that support them. Renee was at Lake Sonoma with Adidas Terrex while Taylor was further north at Gorge Waterfalls with Nike ACG.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:

Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here: https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-dirt-division-x-soar

This episode is brought to you by sharks in hurricanes and mythical creatures like Artemis from Always Sunny, Kegasus, and He-man, plus a full preview of all our Boston events. We also talk about the overhaul of the marathon at World Athletics Championships, the new Andy Murray sponsorship with Hylo, and the current life status of Perez Hilton (since that's what everyone was wondering).

Check out all our events at Boston Marathon Weekend:

Mount to Coast Meetup: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/behind-the-mount-to-coast-bitr-h1-film-qa-community-night-tickets-1986765072815

New Balance Relay: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/NewBalanceMarathonRelay26

Adidas Shakeout Run: https://heartbreak.run/blogs/heartbeat/adidas-boston-2026-shakeout

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

SWIFTWICK

In 2025 we launched a vintage collection in celebration of the Boston Marathon with Cole Townsend of Running Supply that sold out in minutes. For this year's race, we've teamed up again for something new. Meet our limited edition, vintage-inspired drop: a T-shirt and sock collection designed to carry you through the streets of Boston. Available now: https://swiftwick.com/collections/boston-marathon-2026

PLUS...

If you'll be in Boston during race week, you’ll be able to shop the collection (along with a new Boston-exclusive drop) at Rec Room in collaboration with Running Supply, located at 334 Newbury St. Stop by the marathon boutique, where you’ll also find brands like SOAR, Currently, Pruzan, Bonzer, Like the Wind, Alex Zono, and Raide.

Stay tuned on @swiftwicksocks IG for more details coming in the coming weeks.

LMNT

Did you know? LMNT Sparkling comes in a 12 oz slim can with four refreshing flavors: Pineapple Salt, Black Cherry Salt, Lemonade Salt, and Orange Salt, and they’re now available online! These tasty slim cans deliver 500 mg sodium, 100 mg potassium, and 30 mg magnesium. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

PILLAR

PILLAR Collagen Repair is designed to support tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue - the stuff that takes a beating when you’re running day after day. It’s super easy it is to use. We mix it into our coffee or a smoothie, usually before a run, and it’s become part of our routine.

It’s not about quick fixes. It’s about supporting your body long-term so you can keep training, racing, and enjoying the process without constantly battling little aches and pains. If you’re thinking about durability as much as improving times, PILLAR Collagen Repair is a smart addition to your routine.

If you want to try PILLAR, you can head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

Alex, Taylor, and Reese reconnect after a few weeks of travel. They chat about their most recent adventures and what they are looking forward to this spring, including races for each of them.Guest: Floris Gierman is the cofounder of Path Projects, a running brand focused on high-quality function. Hear about his most recent adventure with the Believe in the Run crew in the Canyon, past life in the skateboard industry, and how he has developed a career in the running space.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here:https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-dirt-division-x-soar

This week, Thomas sits down with Charlotte Heidmann, the absolute boss of the Adizero line over at Adidas. If you’ve been mind-blown by the Evo Pro 1, Prime X, or the runaway hit Evo SL over the last few years, this episode is a goldmine. We dive deep into the pressure of shaking up the super-shoe industry, how the innovation team operates, and what it’s like to receive unfiltered feedback from pinnacle athletes like Benson Kipruto and Tigist Assefa.Then, we pivot to an incredibly relatable runner’s journey: Charlotte taking on her very first marathon in Tokyo. She shares the inside scoop on her training plan, the intense emotional relief of crossing the finish line in a stellar 3:36:48, and why she chose to race in a colorway that wasn't exactly her favorite.

This week, Thomas and Karl drop into the Grand Canyon with Mount to Coast to celebrate the massive release of the BITR x Mount to Coast H1 collab shoe. To properly break in the new drop, the guys tackle a brutal ultra down in the canyon alongside an absolute powerhouse crew featuring American marathon legend Ryan Hall and Path Projects founder Floris Gierman. Joined by Doug, Lin, Spencer, Matt, and Taylor, it's a wild adventure of heavy vert, epic miles, and plenty of on-the-run shoe talk. Spoiler alert: they survived to tell the tale.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

PILLAR

If you’re training hard, traveling to races, or just stacking miles week after week, you know how easy it is for your immune system to take a hit. That’s why we’ve been reaching for PILLAR Ultra Immune C. It contains a high dosage of Vitamin C (about 16-17 oranges worth in one scoop), which helps fight off illness and protects your body from the stress of intense training. Head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

LMNT

Did you know? LMNT Sparkling comes in a 12 oz slim can with four refreshing flavors: Pineapple Salt, Black Cherry Salt, Lemonade Salt, and Orange Salt, and they’re now available online! These tasty slim cans deliver 500 mg sodium, 100 mg potassium, and 30 mg magnesium. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

The Grand Canyon is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We visited and can confirm that this is truly a special place. Hear from Dirt Division reviewers Matt and Taylor about their day in the canyon celebrating the launch of the Mount to Coast BITR H1. They chat about the experience, gear, and people that made the adventure.

This week, we dive into the fascinating trend of Gen Z ditching alcohol and break down the big sponsor news of Clayton Young's move to Brooks. On the running front, it was a massive week for American records: Emma Grace Hurley officially beat Deena Kastor's 21-year-old 8K mark. Later in the show, we get into some shoe talk with the Mount to Coast C1 and 361 Miro Nude 2.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSSOAR

Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here: https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-drop

LMNT

Did you know? LMNT Sparkling comes in a 12 oz slim can with four refreshing flavors: Pineapple Salt, Black Cherry Salt, Lemonade Salt, and Orange Salt, and they’re now available online! These tasty slim cans deliver 500 mg sodium, 100 mg potassium, and 30 mg magnesium. ​Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

Taylor is fresh off the plane from San Francisco where he spent the weekend with the Salomon crew at the Big Alta. Alex and Taylor mull over the weekend and determine whether this is an event to check out in future years. Then, they have a quick chat about a shoe that has been a staple in Taylor's return to running over the last three months, the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL.

Guest: Grayson Murphy is a world champion trail runner who is also competing at the highest level on the roads. Taylor and Grayson discuss her exciting new chapters with Salomon and as a mom in her third trimester of pregnancy.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

LMNT: Slim cans are our life, right now. It contains half of the original LMNT recipe with 500mg of sodium and adds some bubbles to the mix. If you prefer the original packets, we do too. You'll be getting 1,000 mg of sodium plus other key electrolytes that will restore balance to your life after any hard effort. You'll also get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: http://drinklmnt.com/dirtdivision

Thomas interviews Jeff Metzdorff of Mill City Running.

This week, Thomas sits down with Karl, our Media Coordinator, to talk through his origin story.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

SOAR

Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here: https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-drop

SWIFTWICK

You already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. We wear them pretty much every day, whether it's the Flite XT crew or the low cut no-show. Get yourself ready for the new year and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com

The crew is back to their normal shenani’s and reminisced on the olden days. They discuss some of the trends that were popular when they started running.Guest: Kevin Benes is the founder and owner of Running Wild Events in Estes Park, Co. He and Taylor talk about his history in running, his array of quirky events, why running is currently sitting in the back seat, and some of his favorite trail shoes of all time.

Meg is back from Los Angeles where she wrapped up the grand finale of the ASICS LA 100, a 16-week journey that culminated with one hundred women running the LA Marathon on International Women's Day. It was quite the weekend, to say the least. We also cover some thoughts on the Adidas Hyperboost Edge, a controversial design but with an undeniably great feeling underfoot.

Also– Monday is the official pre-sale date of the Mount to Coast H1 BITR! Pick it up here: https://mounttocoast.com/products/bitr-h1

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

SOAR

Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here: https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-drop

LMNT

Did you know? LMNT Sparkling comes in a 12 oz slim can with four refreshing flavors: Pineapple Salt, Black Cherry Salt, Lemonade Salt, and Orange Salt, and they’re now available online! These tasty slim cans deliver 500 mg sodium, 100 mg potassium, and 30 mg magnesium. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: drinklmnt.com/thedrop

Reese, Alex, and Taylor talk about a hodgepodge of topics ranging from their current training, wearing headphones, and running with underwear. They eventually get around to initial thoughts about Arc'teryx race shoe, the Sylan 2.

Guest: Dylan Bowman is, perhaps, trail running's Ambassador Supreme. His life and business revolve around the sport he loves. He is also stepping into a new season as an athlete who gets to choose his training, races, and gear. Dylan and Taylor chat about all of this and more.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

LMNT

Slim cans are our life, right now. It contains half of the original LMNT recipe with 500 mg of sodium and adds some bubbles to the mix. If you prefer the original packets, we do too. You'll be getting 1,000 mg of sodium plus other key electrolytes that will restore balance to your life after any hard effort. You'll also get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: https://drinklmnt.com/dirtdivision

Thomas and Karl are back from South Korea, where they got an up-close look at the all-new On Lightspray factory, full of droids producing a whole army's worth of running footwear. They cover the entire trip while Robbe defends Spirit Airlines to the death and Meg gives a preview of her upcoming weekend with ASICS and the Los Angeles Marathon 100 Women Challenge. Thomas also drops the deets on the upcoming Mount to Coast BITR H1 release.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

SOAR

Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here: https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-drop

SWIFTWICK

You already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. We wear them pretty much every day, whether it's the Flite XT crew or the low cut no-show. Get yourself ready for the new year and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com

INDEX

6:12 - USATF Half Marathon Champs Women Debacle

17:36 - Busan

21:52 - Shakeout run first

30:08 - On Factory (just follow the convo and plug in b-roll)

53:00 - Tokyo Marathon

1:04:55 - Spirit Airlines

1:13:00 - Nate Bargatze

1:15:55 - Meg’s LA Marathon 100 Women Challenge

1:25:35 - Newport News Marathon

1:26:25 - BITR x MTC H1 Presale

The Dirt Division has reviewers around the country. This week we chat about the “art” of reviewing. Hear about our approach to building a profile and our opinions about each shoe we review.Guest: Max King has had a long illustrative career in trail running, and it continues with the support of Kailas Fuga. Most recently he took on the challenge of the Barkley Marathons.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!LMNTSlim cans are our life, right now. It contains half of the original LMNT recipe with 500mg of sodium and adds some bubbles to the mix. If you prefer the original packets, we do too. You'll be getting 1,000 mg of sodium plus other key electrolytes that will restore balance to your life after any hard effort. You'll also get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: http://drinklmnt.com/dirtdivision

Thomas interviews Olivier Bernhard and Caspar Coppetti, On Co-Founders, and Scott Maguire, On's Chief Innovation Officer, on the floor of On's new Lightspray factory in South Korea. Topics include the conception of the factory, the new Lightspray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, and how innovation in automation is driving the brand forward.

Thomas and Karl are checking out the all-new On Lightspray factory in South Korea, so we test a new and incredibly confusing format with Wide Foot Jarrett and Normal Foot Jared. We still manage to keep it unhinged, covering everything from jogging strollers to peptide stacking and a converation about cotton and sweat.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

SOAR

Only for Drop listeners, SOAR is giving away $300 in gear and apparel to TWO lucky winners. Their apparel is the best in the industry and their 1-Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Enter the giveaway here: https://www.soarrunning.com/blogs/news/the-drop

PILLAR

If you’re training hard, traveling to races, or just stacking miles week after week, you know how easy it is for your immune system to take a hit. That’s why we’ve been reaching for PILLAR Ultra Immune C. It contains a high dosage of Vitamin C (about 16-17 oranges worth in one scoop), which helps fight off illness and protects your body from the stress of intense training. Head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

LMNT

Marathon racing seaon is here, which means you need your LMNT, featuring 1,000 mg of sodium and key electrolytes. We use it before, during, and after all our races and you should oto. Order today and get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: http://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

This week, the crew talks about the flip side of the coin - reasons why you SHOULD run ultras. Then, they talk shop about the Hoka Speedgoat 7 as it compares to the beloved Speedgoat 4 Evo.

Guest: Taylor chats with Teva Beureau of Adventure athlete, Erin Ton. Her life is all about adventure. She has the most FKT's of any woman in the world and has recently recorded the fastest time on one of the world's Seven Summits.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

LMNT
The Lemonade Salt has returned for good, so make sure you grab the greatest flavor on the planet for all your trail running needs. You'll be getting 1,000 mg of sodium plus other key electrolytes that will restore balance to your life after any hard effort. You'll also get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: http://drinklmnt.com/dirtdivision

Thomas and Robbe sit down with Hylo CEO Jacob Green and Chief Product Officer Jorma Seabourne to share the story of how Hylo came to life, where the brand is headed next, and what truly sets their product apart — all with a healthy dose of classic British humour along the way. Tune in for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation you won’t want to miss.

Check out Hylo: https://hyloathletics.com/

Thomas and Karl return from their addended trip to the Adidas HQ in Germany where they delved into the footwear archives. We wrap up our final two days in London. We wonder about witches and whey. All of us may be suffering from jet lag, so bear with us.

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SOAR
SOAR’s 1 Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Get your gear at: www.soarrunning.com

PILLAR

Recently, we’ve been taking PILLAR Triple Magnesium, and it’s been a game-changer for our sleep and recovery. WE take it about 30 minutes before bed each night which gives us great sleep and helps us recover better so we're ready to train again tomorrow. If you want to try PILLAR, you can head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases!

SWIFTWICK

You already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. We wear them pretty much every day, whether it's the Flite XT crew or the low cut no-show. Get yourself ready for the new year and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com

Alex brought a juicy topic to the group this week. They went round robin on reasons NOT to run an ultra. Then, they chat about some of their initial thoughts on the Nike ACG Ultrafly.

Guest: Terignota is a trail running apparel brand that has blown up over the past year. Found, Alex King, and Taylor chat about the quick trajectory, what makes Terignota special in a saturated space, and more.

Andy Baddeley is a father, an Olympian, a co-founder of the Running Channel, and the previous parkrun world record holder. Thomas and Andy talk about what it was like competing compared to now, the team at The Running Channel, and many other topics in this episode of The Drop.

Check out The Running Channel here:

⁠https://therunningchannel.com/

The gang is across the pond on today's episode. In store: Hylo, Delta One mishaps, English breakfast, and really terrible impressions. From West Ham to Platform 9 3/4, this one has it all, folks.

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LMNT

It's winter, but we're still training and sweating. Which means we still need our LMNT, with 1,000 mg of sodium and key electrolytes. If you haven't had their hot flavors yet, you need to get in on it, because they make the perfect winter treat. Order today and get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: http://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

SOAR
SOAR’s 1 Month Guarantee allows you to shop with total peace of mind – run for 1 month in your new apparel – test it in full – and if you’re still not satisfied you can return it, used, for a full refund. No questions asked. Ship worldwide, with all orders delivered direct-to-the-customer without any additional duties or taxes – no post-checkout surprises. Orders over $180 ship FREE. Get your gear at: www.soarrunning.com

PILLAR

Collagen Repair is a smart addition to your routine, ensuring you stay healthy when you're working your hardest. If you want to try PILLAR, you can head to pillarperformance.shop or ⁠TheFeed.com/pillar⁠ and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

Taylor, Alex, and Reese jump right in this week with topics ranging from personal philosophies on eating food off of the ground to personal stitches. They also chat about the Adidas Terrex Agravic TT as well as sacrifices they are willing to make for races depending on duration and terrain.GUEST: Nike ACG’s poster child, Christian Allen, joins Taylor to talk about his versatility as an athlete, faith, and his big goals in 2026.

Nick Harris-Fry from The Run Testers joins Thomas for this episode of the Drop to talk all things running shoes, YouTube, The Run Testers, and for the first time ever, we do a live review of the Hoka Cielo X1 3.0.

The team went down to Florida and brought the coldest temperatures in a hundred years along with them for The Donna Marathon Weekend. We recap our races and the Winter GRIT party and our time at Waffle House, among many other things. Thanks to everyone that came out, we had an amazing time despite the unseasonable temps.

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Four Points by Sheraton @ Jax Beach

We had the best time ever at The Donna Marathon Weekend and the Four Points is just steps away from the start and finish line, literally the closest we've ever been to a race. With oceanside rooms in a quiet setting, it's the best place to get a good night's rest before a race. It's a bonus that they just remodeled and their happy hour is top notch. Reserve your room here: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/jaxbf-four-points-jacksonville-beachfront/overview/

SOAR

If you don't know, Soar makes some of the best running apparel in the world. Like, the whole world. They take design and performance seriously, utilizing cutting edge fabrics that exceed the highest standards for running gear. We love all their winter apparel and their warm weather singlets are unbeatable. Check out their X-Race collections, which are perfect for al the upcoming spring marathons:

Men’s XRace collections

https://www.soarrunning.com/collections/x-race

Women’s XRace collections

https://www.soarrunning.com/collections/womens-x-race

PILLAR

Collagen Repair is designed to support tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue - the stuff that takes a beating when you’re running day after day. PILLAR Collagen Repair is a smart addition to your routine, ensuring you stay healthy when you're working your hardest. If you want to try PILLAR, you can head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

SWIFTWICK

You already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. We wear them pretty much every day, whether it's the Flite XT crew or the low cut no-show. Get yourself ready for the new year and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com

This week, the Trail Trio discusses considerations for choosing race day footwear - which proves to be much more difficult to come to a consensus than one would think.

Guest: Cade Michael is an up and coming trail runner who has taken some big swings this past year! He’s looking to improve on those results and continue to establish himself as one of the USA’s top prospective athletes in 2026.

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Marathon racing season is here, which means you need your LMNT, featuring 1,000 mg of sodium and key electrolytes. We use it before, during, and after all our races and you should to. Order today and get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: DrinkLMNT.com/dirtdivision​  

Nikhil Jain is the Director of Footwear Product Line Management at Brooks Running. Thomas and Meg had the opportunity to talk all things Glycerin Flex with him at The Running Event.

We're bringing the listeners into the mix as we answer a handful of questions, including our picks for best and worst marathon medals. We also recap our snow day(s) here in Baltimore and Alex Honnold doing weird things on tall buildings before covering the just-released Hoka Cielo X1 3.0, a lighter and even more energetic race-day shoe.

Shop the Gorewear sale and save another 15% off by using code BITR15: https://alnk.to/e7anCxh (affiliate link)

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PILLAR
If you’re training hard, traveling to races, or just stacking miles week after week, you know how easy it is for your immune system to take a hit. That’s why we’ve been reaching for PILLAR Ultra Immune C. It contains a high dosage of Vitamin C (about 16-17 oranges worth in one scoop), which helps fight off illness and protects your body from the stress of intense training. Head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

LMNT
It's winter, but we're still training and sweating. Which means we still need our LMNT, with 1,000 mg of sodium and key electrolytes. If you haven't had their hot flavors yet, you need to get in on it, because they make the perfect winter treat. Order today and get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: http://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

Taylor and Reese prepare themselves for gross winter weather to hit by trading thoughts about the treadmill. Likewise, they chat about the upcoming Merrell Agility Peak 6.

Guest: Cole Zucker is the founder of Kila, an insole company that's built on the premise of run performance. Taylor and Cole talk about Cole's background in the lighting industry and how his experiences helped launch Kila.

Meg is back from the Move Her Mind Summit (and podium finish at the Rose Bowl Half), so we get a recap of all of that. Meanwhile, Thomas took some R&R in Charleston while Robbe got into some weird Baltimore stuff as usual. We also cover jumping beans, chicken pox, dark web stuff, and more, including the Adidas Prime X Evo and Adidas Evolution.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!PILLARRecently, we’ve been taking PILLAR Triple Magnesium, and it’s been a game-changer for our sleep and recovery. WE take it about 30 minutes before bed each night which gives us great sleep and helps us recover better so we're ready to train again tomorrow. If you want to try PILLAR, you can head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases!SWIFTWICKYou already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. We wear them pretty much every day, whether it's the Flite XT crew or the low cut no-show. Get yourself ready for the new year and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com

Reese is on assignment in Arizona to check out the course for her upcoming race, Black Canyon 100k. She gives the details on her trip, her training, and even a GOAT sighting on the trail. Taylor and Reese then try to sort out the whole "gravel running" conversation and talk about if it's a worthy category to get excited about.Guest: Teva athlete Michael Wardian returns to the show to catch up with Taylor. They mull over a bunch of topics ranging from his busier-than-ever schedule, Burrito League, sandals, and his upcoming world record attempt of 7x50k in 7 days on 7 continents.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!LMNTThe Lemonade Salt has returned for good, so make sure you grab the greatest flavor on the planet for all your trail running needs. You'll be getting 1,000 mg of sodium plus other key electrolytes that will restore balance to your life after any hard effort. You'll also get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: http://drinklmnt.com/dirtdivision

The first rule about The Drop is that you don't talk about The Drop. Mostly because your friends will think less of you. On this episode, we give a hagiography of Brad Pitt, Robbe tries to trap a mouse, and we cover all the exciting stuff that happened at the Houston Marathon last weekend. We almost lost one of our listeners, but luckily a doctor was on hand to bring him back to us. Thankful for that and for you if you're still reading this. Eventually we get around to the Mizuno Neo Zen 2, a fine update to an already great shoe. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!PILLARIf you’re training hard, traveling to races, or just stacking miles week after week, you know how easy it is for your immune system to take a hit. That’s why we’ve been reaching for PILLAR Ultra Immune C. It contains a high dosage of Vitamin C (about 16-17 oranges worth in one scoop), which helps fight off illness and protects your body from the stress of intense training. Head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.LMNTIt's winter, but we're still training and sweating. Which means we still need our LMNT, with 1,000 mg of sodium and key electrolytes. If you haven't had their hot flavors yet, you need to get in on it, because they make the perfect winter treat. Order today and get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: http://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

Alex returns this month with a genuine question about selecting your crew for ultras. The trio also chat about the hot topic of January, The Burrito League, and the newest comission in the Speedland lineup, the GS:BLK.

Guest: Chris Myers is a Brooks and Runderwear athlete who has mixed up with the best of the best on the trails. He and Taylor talk a little bit about but even more on other topics like his underwear preferences, the Brooks Cascadia Elite, and his views on personal growth in the sport. Chris also gives some top-notch crewing tips and discloses his focuses for 2026.

Yowana Wamala is the founder and CEO of Supwell.

Find him on Youtube here: https://youtube.com/@supwell?si=SHRm0oeTUDQxVw7z

It's been a few weeks since we've been in studio, so there's been plenty of stuff brewing that we needed to get out. We focus on the trivial, from the lack of cigs in Stranger Things to Maduro's Nike fit to Sage Canaday's beef with unnamed hybrid athlete Truett Hanes. Also, we talk about the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4, which has taken a big leap forward from the previous version.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

PILLAR

If you’re training hard, traveling to races, or just stacking miles week after week, you know how easy it is for your immune system to take a hit. That’s why we’ve been reaching for PILLAR Ultra Immune C. It contains a high dosage of Vitamin C (about 16-17 oranges worth in one scoop), which helps fight off illness and protects your body from the stress of intense training. Head to pillarperformance.shop or TheFeed.com/pillar and enter code BITR for 15% off first-time purchases.

SWIFTWICK

You already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. We wear them pretty much every day, whether it's the Flite XT crew or the low cut no-show. Get yourself ready for the new year and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com

The duet is back together after an extended year end vacation. They chat about a range of topics from their holiday’s, gas stations, to their post-mortal preferences. Of course, they talk about trail running a with the upcoming Scott Kinabalu Trail and what they look forward to in 2026.Guest: 7Mesh is a high-performance clothing brand that started the way many high-quality brands begin. TJ and Ian, cofounders of 7Mesh, saw a hole in the market for performance tuned all-conditions cycling gear. Their experience and expertise (former Arc’teryx CEO and designer) in the industry helped them create some of the most thoughtful gear that extends to all outdoor endeavors. Listen to how they started 7Mesh, science/thoughts behind their gear, and what’s to come in future seasons.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!LMNTThe Lemonade Salt has returned for good, so make sure you grab the greatest flavor on the planet for all your trail running needs. You'll be getting 1,000 mg of sodium plus other key electrolytes that will restore balance to your life after any hard effort. You'll also get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: DrinkLMNT.com/dirtdivision

In Part 2 of our Holiday Series, we’re recapping the year that was. We kick things off in Miami with HOKA, then roll through an action-packed spring—Kenya, Boston, London, the Move Her Mind Event Series, Western States, #Breaking4 in Paris, welcoming Taylor Boding officially to the team, Worlds in Tokyo, Thomas’ trip to China, Chicago, NYC, and so much more.Thank you all for supporting us every step of the way this year. We’re excited for what’s ahead in 2026.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

SWIFTWICK

You already know that Swiftwick makes our favorite socks for running, from training to race day. We wear them pretty much every day, whether it's the Flite XT crew or the low cut no-show. They also make for great presents, so treat yourself or someone else today: https://swiftwick.com

LMNT

It's winter, but we're still training and sweating. Which means we still need our LMNT, with 1,000 mg of sodium and key electrolytes. If you haven't had their hot flavors yet, you need to get in on it, because they make the perfect winter treat. Order today and get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase, so don't miss out: http://drinklmnt.com/thedrop