We're so excited to be launching a new podcast on March 25, The Buzz with Buzz Burrell.
The world of trail and ultrarunning is evolving at a breakneck pace. New races, new records, new gear—every day, there’s something to keep up with. But how do you cut through the noise and get to the heart of what really matters? Introducing The Buzz with Buzz Burrell, the latest podcast from UltraSignup, bringing a fresh, sharp, and deeply experienced voice to the conversation.
If you’ve spent any time in the world of ultrarunning, you’ve probably heard the name Buzz Burrell. Maybe you’ve seen it in the Fastest Known Time archives, maybe you’ve read his takes on the sport, or maybe—if you’re lucky—you’ve even raced against him. But who exactly is Buzz, and why does his voice stand out in an increasingly crowded media landscape?
“I want to change the perception of this sport. In the early days of ultrarunning, the best athletes were the ones whose lives had completely fallen apart—house foreclosed, job lost, relationship in shambles—and they just ran. That’s not the future I want for this sport. I want it to be something that people love, and that enhances their lives,” said Buzz.
But let’s set the record straight. Buzz isn’t just a longtime ultrarunner—he’s a true pioneer of the sport. He co-founded the modern FKT movement, launched the first-ever mountain running series in the U.S., and revolutionized hydration with his work at Ultimate Direction, where he helped design the first-ever running vest that didn’t bounce like a backpack. He’s been at the center of some of the biggest shifts in endurance sports, not just watching the sport change, but actively shaping it. And now, with The Buzz, he’s bringing his decades of experience to a whole new format.
This isn’t just race results and training advice—it’s about the soul of the sport. It’s about the thinkers, the historians, the innovators—the people who have shaped trail and ultrarunning in ways that go beyond podiums and splits.
“If you’re tuning in for split analysis and VO2 max numbers, this isn’t the show for you. But if you want to hear about the personalities that are really driving the sport, the thinkers behind the big shifts, the meaning behind the mountains, why FKTs matter, and what makes an athlete’s legacy stick—then you’re in the right place,” said Buzz.
The Buzz will deliver sharp, candid conversations with some of the biggest names in endurance sports, but with a critical edge that you won’t find elsewhere. Buzz isn’t here to sugarcoat things—he’s here to ask the real questions. What does it take to have longevity in this sport? What role should sponsorships play in shaping athlete narratives? What does the professionalization of ultrarunning actually mean for the grassroots races that keep the sport alive?
Expect guests like Anton Krupicka reflecting on two decades in the sport, Brian Metzler discussing the state of outdoor media, and insights into the history and future of FKTs. If you’re tired of surface-level takes and want to hear authentic, unfiltered conversations, you’ll need to catch The Buzz.
At its core, The Buzz is about community. It’s about the questions and discussions that real runners—those of us out on the trails, not just in the headlines—are having every day. And Buzz wants to hear from you. Listeners are encouraged to send in their own hot takes, questions, and topics they want covered. (Email him at buzz@ultrasignup.com to get your voice heard.)
“I don’t want to tell people what to think—I want to ask the right questions and let them come to their own conclusions. I trust the intelligence of this community, and I want this podcast to reflect that,” Buzz said.
As trail and ultrarunning continue to grow, The Buzz is here to make sure the conversations that matter don’t get drowned out. So whether you’re a veteran ultrarunner or training for your first trail race, tune in, you might just hear something that changes the way you see the sport.
*Oh and if you came here from our Tuesday Newsletter and were wondering what the lie was in Two Truths and a Lie, a reminder that these were your options:
…it’s obviously that he’s never gotten a blister or run out of food. Even the most experienced ultrarunners make these mistakes!
