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Artwork for The Trailhead

The Trailhead

UltraSignup
Trail Running
Ultrasignup
UTMB
Barkley Marathons
Treadmill Training
Born To Adapt
Running
Adaptive Athletes
Jasmin Paris
Courtney Dewalter
Winter Training
Mental Health
Ultra Running
Big Alta Races
Lululemon Further
Six-Day Ultramarathons
Accessibility
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Mammoth Trailfest
Ultra-Running

The Trailhead isn't your typical trail running podcast—we're not dissecting splits or debating race strategies. Instead, hosts Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard take you straight to the heart (and funny bone) of the sport, celebrating the people, stories, and quirks that make trail running so special. With a mix of humor, heart, and a little irreverence, we explore the personalities, people, artists, an... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes83Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RunningSportsHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for The Trailhead

Latest Episodes

For the final episode of 2025, Zoë and Brendan share their own year-end reflections, summits, snacks, and slogs, including Zoë's experience hitchhiking to the start line of a 78-mile race in Italy, arriving 90 seconds before the gun went off to stand... more

Romy Ancona is a DJ, trail runner, and the force behind Broken Arrow's famously joyful finish line. Born in Cozumel and now based in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley, Romy learned to mix on a trackpad on their mom's Windows laptop before somehow landin... more

Lindsey Freeman is a sociologist, writer, and lifelong runner whose book Running offers a feminist and queer reading of the sport. In this conversation, Zoë and Brendan talk with Lindsey about what it means to treat running as a practice, becoming yo... more

Raziq Rauf didn't set out to become a running writer, he set out to avoid burnout as a music journalist covering London's metal and hardcore scene. Now, through his newsletter Running Sucks, he brings that same critical eye to the running industry, a... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Mario Fraoli
Coach who discusses the boundaries of racing in ultramarathons
Episode: Best of 2025: On Insanity, Effort, and Choosing Your Obsessions Wisely
Sabrina Little
Philosopher and ultra runner who explores ethics in athletics
Episode: Best of 2025: On Insanity, Effort, and Choosing Your Obsessions Wisely
Alex Hutchinson
Author who discusses effort and satisfaction in running
Episode: Best of 2025: On Insanity, Effort, and Choosing Your Obsessions Wisely
Dan Lieberman
Evolutionary biologist known for 'Born to Run' research
Episode: Best of 2025: On Insanity, Effort, and Choosing Your Obsessions Wisely
Romy Ancona
DJ and community member from the Roaring Fork Valley, passionate about running and music.
Episode: How DJ Romy Ancona Became Ultrarunning's Party Planner
Lindsey Freeman
A sociologist, writer, and lifelong runner.
Simon Fraser University
Episode: Lindsey Freeman on Why Running Is a Practice (and What That Actually Means)
Raziq Rauf
Writer at Running Sucks, a newsletter on Substack
Running Sucks
Episode: Raziq Rauf on Running Culture and What Really Matters
Nick Thompson
CEO of The Atlantic and author of The Running Ground
The Atlantic
Episode: Nick Thompson on Running, Fatherhood, and Staying Fast at 50
Gary Cantrell
Lazarus Lake, director of the Barkley Marathons
Barkley Marathons
Episode: Jared Beasley on Laz Lake, the Endurance Artist

Hosts

Zoë Rom
Co-host known for her engaging storytelling and connection to the trail running community, focusing on inclusivity and personal experiences.
Brendan Leonard
Co-host recognized for his humor and artistic perspective, contributing to the rich narrative of trail running and community stories.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 217 ratings
  • Recent changes

    The change in host and format have moved away from a podcast about running to one about the people who run. A show sponsored by Ultrasignup with a title of The Trail Head should be about running. I’m unfollowing the show now, but will keep an eye out for changes.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    MikeG Runner
    United States4 months ago
  • Well Done

    I listen to just about every trail and ultra podcast. The measured, thoughtful and informed hosts, Corrine and Buzz, then Zoe and Buzz, and now Zoe and Brendan Leonard make this a must for the veteran or newbie. Alex Hutchinson interview was incredible.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Whew Hoo!
    United States7 months ago
  • Smart and fun!

    My new favorite podcast. I enjoy the stories related to running and the intelligent conversation that may run off-trail to related topics. The addition of Brendan Leonard is a plus.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    justaguitarguy
    United States7 months ago
  • Coaching advise made fun

    Great episode with Mario. Hope you do more of these.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    susagin
    United States8 months ago
  • Changing…

    Ah! This has truly been one of my favorite podcasts! I’ve loved the style, format, and content. I have looked forward to it each week. But…the last few weeks have been so disappointing. It’s feeling like everything is too much of a “joke” to the hosts. I’m not feeling like I’m learning new things. The format is rambling. I hope you find your stride with Brendan as a new host…but frankly I’m a bit worried and disappointed!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    —-SG——
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The humor and organic style of hosting are frequently praised, making it an enjoyable listen for both seasoned runners and newcomers alike.
Listeners appreciate the light-hearted yet insightful conversations that explore the community aspect of trail running.
Feedback indicates a strong connection among listeners who enjoy stories about personal journeys and challenges in the sport.
Some listeners have expressed concern about the shift in focus from running analysis to broader storytelling, suggesting they prefer a balance between the two.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#30
United States/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#55
Canada/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#185
United Kingdom/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#32
Australia/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#52
Italy/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#54
Indonesia/Sports/Running

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How DJ Romy Ancona Became Ultrarunning's Party Planner
Q: What does inclusivity in the trail space look like to you?
Romy emphasizes the importance of inclusive events that celebrate all participants and create a sense of belonging for diverse communities.
How DJ Romy Ancona Became Ultrarunning's Party Planner
Q: How does your background influence your relationship to the outdoors?
Romy notes that growing up in Cozumel surrounded by nature gave him a unique appreciation for the outdoors, which he continues to foster in his current environment.
How DJ Romy Ancona Became Ultrarunning's Party Planner
Q: What does being a DJ entail?
Romy explains that being a DJ involves curating music, blending songs, and creating an energetic atmosphere, regardless of the equipment used.
How DJ Romy Ancona Became Ultrarunning's Party Planner
Q: How did you get into trail running?
Romy shares that he began trail running after a car accident led him to explore running as a way to recover physically and reconnect with the outdoors.
Jared Beasley on Laz Lake, the Endurance Artist
Q: Would you say you and Laz are friends now throughout this?
I think there's a certain relationship developed through the process of writing the book, but it evolved from initially getting nothing from him to having deeper interactions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Trailhead

What is The Trailhead about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the vibrant world of trail running, this podcast takes a unique approach by focusing on the myriad personalities and stories that define the sport rather than typical race strategies or performance metrics. With a blend of humor and heartfelt narratives, the hosts connect listeners with everyday athletes, artists, and influential figures, celebrating their experiences and the communal spirit of trail running. This engaging format is likely to resonate well with a diverse audience, showcasing how the joy and challenges of trail running extend beyond mere competition to encompass rich human experiences and connection with nature.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Trailhead?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Trailhead. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Trailhead and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Trailhead get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Trailhead, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Trailhead?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Trailhead, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Trailhead have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Trailhead has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Trailhead?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Trailhead:

1. Crack A Brew With AJW
2. Singletrack
3. The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman
4. Trail Runner Nation
5. Trail Society

How many episodes of The Trailhead are there?

The Trailhead launched 3 years ago and published 83 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Trailhead?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Trailhead?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Trailhead from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Trailhead?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Trailhead. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Trailhead?

Recent guests on The Trailhead include:

1. Mario Fraoli
2. Sabrina Little
3. Alex Hutchinson
4. Dan Lieberman
5. Romy Ancona
6. Lindsey Freeman
7. Raziq Rauf
8. Nick Thompson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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