Episodes

  • Iram Leon: Zilker Relays

    Iram Leon: Zilker Relays
    Jun 12 2026
    On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with Iram Leon, the race director for the Austin Runners Club, who manages the Zilker Relays, the Decker Challenge, and the Daisy Dash—three of Austin's most iconic events. During the chat, Iram shares how he first got involved in race directing, the unique challenges associated with managing a 1,800-person relay race, and Zilker became cemented as a local tradition. He also talks about what makes the Austin running community so special and what the future of the event world looks like in the city. It's a great conversation. Check it out and give it a listen!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 mins
  • Andrew Onermaa: Doom

    Andrew Onermaa: Doom
    May 28 2026
    What does it take to organize a 400-mile unsupported bikepacking race through some of the most unforgiving terrain in the country? In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Onermaa, the mastermind and race director behind Doom, an epic self-supported bikepacking race through the Ozarks. Andrew takes us behind the scenes of the event's history, the inspiration behind the Doom documentary, and the brutal logistical challenges of managing a multi-day race in such harsh conditions. We also dive into the unique and often difficult business model of hosting unsupported ultra-endurance events. It’s an awesome conversation packed with grit, behind-the-scenes insights, and pure passion for the sport. Tune in and enjoy the ride!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Building (and Rebuilding) GP-81 with Cliff Simanski

    Building (and Rebuilding) GP-81 with Cliff Simanski
    Mar 4 2026
    In this episode, we sit down with Cliff Simanski, the founder of GP-81, to go behind the scenes of one of the country’s most respected climbing gyms. While the broader industry pivots toward "fitness-center" models and mass-market appeal, Cliff has doubled down on a business built specifically for the dedicated climber. We dive into the history of the gym, the risky but rewarding business model of prioritizing "true" climbers over beginners, and the unique challenges of staying profitable while maintaining a no-frills, high-intensity brand. It’s a candid look at the business of climbing and what it takes to build a community that values the craft of the sport above all else.

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    30 mins
  • The Strip is Closed (And No One Is Winning)

    The Strip is Closed (And No One Is Winning)
    Feb 14 2026
    Formula 1 promised Las Vegas a billion-dollar windfall, but for the people who actually live and work in the valley, the reality looks more like a six-month traffic jam. In this episode, we chat with Alan Snel, founder of LVSportsbiz.com and a veteran LV sports reporter on why the most logistically challenging event in the world is leaving local residents and small businesses in the dust.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    22 mins
  • Tim Tollefson: Trail Fest & The Mammoth

    Tim Tollefson: Trail Fest & The Mammoth
    Nov 13 2025
    On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with professional trail runner and race director Tim Tollefson, who leads Trail Fest and the Mammoth 200. They discuss Tim’s first year managing a 200-mile race—the lessons learned, the logistical challenges, and what it takes to bring an event of that scale to life. The conversation also explores the origins of both Trail Fest and the Mammoth 200, along with broader topics shaping the trail running world, such as how to approach prize money and the trade-offs between staying independent or joining major series like UTMB or Golden Trail. It’s a wide-ranging discussion that any fan of the sport will enjoy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Dave and Cooper: Bucket List Events

    Dave and Cooper: Bucket List Events
    Nov 7 2025
    In this episode, Cooper and Dave catch up on the World Series, the NYC Marathon, and their bucket-list races—sharing stories about the best events they’ve experienced and what excites them most about future ones. They discuss what draws them to certain races—the history, the views, the community—and lay out a plan to attend new events together, using those experiences to gain fresh insights and inspiration.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    48 mins
  • Matias Saari: Mount Marathon

    Matias Saari: Mount Marathon
    Oct 30 2025
    In this episode, Cooper sits down with Matias Saari, the race director of Alaska’s legendary Mount Marathon in Seward. They talk about Matias’s path to Alaska, the challenges of organizing a race in such a rugged setting, and the fascinating history behind this storied event. The conversation covers safety protocols for extreme mountain races, the essential role of community in keeping the tradition alive, and what’s ahead as Mount Marathon approaches its 100th running. Matias also reflects on his dual perspective as both a runner and race director, sharing how he works to preserve the race’s authenticity even as its popularity continues to grow.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    39 mins
  • Finn Melanson: Singletrack

    Finn Melanson: Singletrack
    Oct 23 2025
    In this episode of the Director's Cooper chats with Finn Melanson, host of the Singletrack podcast, to talk about his journey into race directing and the evolving landscape of trail running. We dive into the growth of his podcast Singletrack, emerging trends in the sport, and the economic realities of producing ultra events. Finn also shares his thoughts on the rise of 200-mile races, new opportunities for trail events, and where he sees the future of the trail running community heading. It's a great conversation and we hope you give it a listen.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 3 mins