Trail and ultrarunning is full of characters. The big names, the everyday runners, the oddballs, the legends—people who make this sport what it is. And if there’s one thing The Trailhead has always done, it’s celebrate them all.
Now, with a fresh dose of humor and storytelling, The Trailhead is back—same podcast, new energy. Your longtime host, Zoë Rom, isn’t going anywhere, but now she’s joined by a co-host who knows a thing or two about absurd adventures, bad ideas, and the heart of endurance sports: Brendan Leonard.
Brendan isn’t just an ultrarunner—he’s a writer, a cartoonist, a filmmaker, and the brain behind Semi-Rad, a beloved corner of the outdoor internet where he explores all things ridiculous and inspiring about adventure. Whether it’s breaking down the stages of every ultra finish line or making a case for why runners should embrace walking, Brendan has spent over a decade proving that outdoor sports aren’t just about suffering—they’re about stories, humor, and the people who make them fun.
So, what’s changing? Not much—except now The Trailhead is even funnier, even weirder, and just as full of heart. Expect deep dives into the quirks of trail running, the untold stories behind your favorite races, and conversations that are more than sport – they’re the soul of why we run.
“Everything about this sport is ridiculous,” Brendan says. “You’re wearing reflective gear, a hydration vest, tiny shorts, and you have poles? We all look insane. And that’s great. I think it’s worth celebrating.”
And while there’s plenty to laugh about, The Trailhead is still here to dig into the real stories, the ones that connect us. “I love the moments when you see someone doing something they never thought they could do,” Zoë says. “Ultra running is full of those moments. It’s also full of terrible ideas, bad decisions, and questionable snacks, which makes it the perfect sport to tell stories about.”
So if you’re here for race recaps, split analysis, and VO2 max talk… well, there are other podcasts for that. But if you want to celebrate the soul (and spleen and funny bone) of trail running? Meet us at The Trailhead.
The new Trailhead launches April 1. Same podcast, new co-host, plenty of laughs. Follow the show @TrailheadPod on Instagram, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts (Spotify, Apple), and send your favorite weird trail running stories and guests to trailhead@ultrasignup.com. We might just talk about them on the show.
