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The Directors

The Directors

Hosted by Trials of Miles Racing LLC

BusinessEntrepreneurshipSportsInterviews guests
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Episodes

60

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Conversations with innovative race directors from the Trials of Miles team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 7, 202657 min

Victor Zeitoune & Austin Lo: The $1 Ultra Part II

On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with Austin Lo and Victor Zeitoune to break down the second installment of the legendary $1 Ultra.Staged out of a restaurant in the heart of Times Square, this year’s event was bigger, bolder, and even wilder than the first. Hundreds of runners took to the streets on a night that quickly descended into chaos when the Knicks clinched the NBA Championship right in the middle of the race.Austin and Victor reveal how the concept evolved from Year 1, how they pulled off on-the-fly pivots in the middle of NYC madness, and how the entire drama unfolded over 33 epic hours. It’s easily one of the wildest race conversation we’ve ever had, and a must-listen for anyone who loves hearing about crazy ideas coming to fruition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 12, 202636 min

Iram Leon: Zilker Relays

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.

May 28, 20261 hr 15 min

Andrew Onermaa: Doom

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.

March 4, 202629 min

Building (and Rebuilding) GP-81 with Cliff Simanski

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February 14, 202622 min

The Strip is Closed (And No One Is Winning)

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.

November 13, 20251 hr 3 min

Tim Tollefson: Trail Fest & The Mammoth

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.

November 7, 202547 min

Dave and Cooper: Bucket List Events

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.

October 30, 202539 min

Matias Saari: Mount Marathon

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.

October 23, 20251 hr 3 min

Finn Melanson: Singletrack

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.

October 15, 202536 min

Cherie Yanek: Burning Man 50K

In this episode, Cooper Knowlton sits down with Cherie Yanek, the race director of the Burning Man 50K, to explore what it takes to organize an ultramarathon in one of the most unconventional settings on Earth. Cherie shares her journey from first-time burner to race director, offering insight into the logistics of building a course on the playa, managing unpredictable weather, and embracing the free-spirited, creative energy that defines Burning Man. It’s one of the most unique events out there, a race that harkens back to the early spirit of the sport and the delightful weirdness that defines trail running. Give it a listen and let us know what you think. To learn more about the event, visit www.burningman50k.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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