The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman

Tarawera by UTMB 2026 Recap | Golden Tickets and Key Takeaways
Tonight we recap the 2026 Tarawera by UTMB, breaking down the race results, Golden Ticket recipients, and the biggest storylines from the 102K event.
We'll analyze how the race unfolded, what it means for the Western States 100, and the key performances that defined the weekend in Rotorua.
We'll also be joined live by Robyn Lesh, the women's 50K champion, to discuss her race and experience on the course. Additional guests may join the show as well.
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Race Registration
Register for The Big Alta https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=130943
Register for Gorge Waterfalls https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=129366
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Sponsors
Osprey Grab a trail running pack at https://www.osprey.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=trail%20runnng
NEVERSECOND Nutrition Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order https://www.never2.com
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Freetrail Links
Website https://freetrail.com/
Freetrail Pro https://freetrail.com/freetrail-pro/
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/dylanbowman
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrail/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8MKI1xB8YMchI1764zJXHg
Freetrail Experts https://freetrail.com/freetrail-experts/
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Dylan Bowman
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo/
Twitter https://twitter.com/dylanbo
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-bowman-06174380/
Strava https://www.strava.com/pros/1596921

Black Canyon 50K Preview | Golden Ticket Weekend
Tonight we continue our weeklong coverage of the double Golden Ticket race weekend with Freetrail's preview of the Black Canyon 50K. We'll also share final thoughts and key stats from the Black Canyon 100K and make our Golden Ticket predictions.
We'll be live at 5:00 PM PT with co-hosts Tim Tollefson, Dani Moreno, and EmKay Sullivan.
Who is your pick to win?
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The Docket
Breaking news Black Canyon to Western States history Scenario speculation Historical margins of victory 50K preview Predictions
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Race Registration
Register for The Big Alta https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=130943
Register for Gorge Waterfalls https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=129366
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Sponsors
Osprey Grab a trail running pack at https://www.osprey.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=trail%20runnng
NEVERSECOND Nutrition Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order https://www.never2.com
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Freetrail Links
Website https://freetrail.com/
Freetrail Pro https://freetrail.com/freetrail-pro/
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/dylanbowman
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrail/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8MKI1xB8YMchI1764zJXHg
Freetrail Experts https://freetrail.com/freetrail-experts/
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Dylan Bowman
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo/
Twitter https://twitter.com/dylanbo
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-bowman-06174380/
Strava https://www.strava.com/pros/1596921

Black Canyon 100K Preview | Golden Ticket Weekend
Tonight we continue our weeklong coverage of the double Golden Ticket race weekend with Freetrail's preview of the Black Canyon 100K.
Over the last 12 years, Black Canyon has grown into one of North America's most prestigious trail races. It now feels like the annual kickoff to the professional racing season — and the energy reflects it.
A Super Golden Ticket race again in 2026, Black Canyon has attracted some of the best athletes in the sport to battle across this classic desert course for a chance to compete at this summer's Western States 100.
We'll be live at 5:00 PM PT / 2:00 PM NZ with Tim Tollefson and EmKay Sullivan to break down the course, expected conditions, and top contenders heading into race weekend. We'll also be joined by a special guest.
Who is your pick to win?
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The Docket
Black Canyon course overview Racing conditions Women's contenders Men's contenders
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Race Registration
Register for The Big Alta https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx...
Register for Gorge Waterfalls https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx...
––––––––––––––––––
Sponsors
Osprey Grab a trail running pack at https://www.osprey.com/catalogsearch/...
NEVERSECOND Nutrition Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order https://www.never2.com
––––––––––––––––––
Freetrail Links
Website https://freetrail.com/
Freetrail Pro https://freetrail.com/freetrail-pro/
Freetrail Experts https://freetrail.com/freetrail-experts/
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/dylanbowman
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrail
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@freetrail
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Dylan Bowman
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo
Twitter https://twitter.com/dylanbo
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-bowman-06174380
Strava https://www.strava.com/athletes/

Tonight we continue our weeklong coverage of the double Golden Ticket race weekend with Freetrail's in-depth preview of Tarawera by UTMB.
Rotorua once again plays host to the 15th running of New Zealand's largest and most important trail race. For the second year in a row, four Golden Tickets to the Western States 100 are on the line, with many of the sport's top athletes toeing the line to secure their spot in Auburn.
We're going live at 5:00 PM PT / 2:00 PM NZ with Tim Tollefson and Dani Moreno to break down the course, expected conditions, and top contenders heading into race weekend.
The Docket
Tarawera course overview

Expected racing conditions

Women's favorites

Men's favorites

Race Registration
Register for The Big Alta https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx...
Register for Gorge Waterfalls https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx...
Sponsors
Osprey Grab a trail running pack at https://www.osprey.com/catalogsearch/...
NEVERSECOND Nutrition Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order https://www.never2.com
Freetrail Links
Website https://freetrail.com/
Freetrail Pro https://freetrail.com/freetrail-pro/
Freetrail Experts https://freetrail.com/freetrail-experts/
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/dylanbowman
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrail
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@freetrail
Dylan Bowman
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo
Twitter https://twitter.com/dylanbo
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-bowman-06174380
Strava https://www.strava.com/athletes/

Tonight's live show begins a full week of Trailgating coverage of the 2026 Black Canyon and Tarawera double Golden Ticket race weekend. As usual, we begin the show with the Top 10 Storylines of around these two premier trail running events.
 
Tonight's docket: - Molly Seidel & Des Linden do trails - Analytics corner - Jenn Lichter's 100k debut - People who don't need Golden Tickets - World Record Holders at Black Canyon - Ruth Croft & Dan Jones defend Tarawera Crowns - Riley Brady defends Black Canyon course record win from 2025 - Athletes debuting with new sponsors - Rise of the Black Canyon 50k - Francesco Puppi's 100k dominance - will it continue?
 
Of course, we finish with the Strava file of the week!
 
Our full show schedule for the week is listed below. We'll be going live every night at 5pm PT!
 
- Monday 2/9 - Top 10 Storylines of Black Canyon & Tarawera (TONIGHT)
- Tuesday 2/10 - Tarawera Preview Show
- Wednesday 2/11 - Black Canyon 100k Preview Show
- Thursday 2/12 - Black Canyon 50k Preview Show & Golden Ticket Predictions
- Friday 2/13 - Tarawera Instant Recap Show
- Saturday 2/14 - Black Canyon Instant Recap Show
 
REGISTER FOR THE BIG ALTA - https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=130943
REGISTER FOR GORGE WATERFALLS - https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=129366
 
Sponsors:
Grab a trail running pack from Osprey - https://www.osprey.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=trail%20runnng
Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order of NEVERSECOND nutrition at https://www.never2.com
Freetrail Links:
Website | https://freetrail.com/
Freetrail Pro | https://freetrail.com/freetrail-pro/
Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/dylanbowman
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrail/
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8MKI1xB8YMchI1764zJXHg
Freetrail Experts | https://freetrail.com/freetrail-experts/
 
Dylan Links:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo/
Twitter | https://twitter.com/dylanbo
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-bowman-06174380/
Strava | https://www.strava.com/pros/1596921