The Buzz

Camille Herron is the only athlete to win all three IAU Ultra World Championship distances, the only person to win both Comrades and Spartathlon, and the holder of world records from 50 miles to six days. But beyond the numbers, Herron is a scientist with a master's degree in exercise and sports science, a recently diagnosed autistic and ADHD athlete, and someone who has navigated more than her share of controversy. In this wide-ranging conversation with Buzz Burrell, Herron opens up about everything: her unconventional training philosophy of short, frequent runs over grinding long miles; the metabolic testing that revealed her unusual fat oxidation capacity; how neurodivergence has been both a superpower and a challenge in her career; and why, at 43, she's feeling more free and energized than ever, even without sponsors. The conversation doesn't shy away from harder topics. Herron addresses the Wikipedia controversy that cost her the Lululemon partnership, framing it as retaliation for her role as a sports whistleblower who has made multiple reports to USATF and the IAU. She also reflects on watching her records fall to Tara Dower and Caitriona Jennings with genuine enthusiasm, celebrating what she sees as a new era for women in ultrarunning. Whether you're here for the training insights, the fueling science, or the candid discussion of navigating public scrutiny, this episode offers a rare, unfiltered look at one of the most accomplished and polarizing figures in ultrarunning history. FOR MORE CONTEXT: The Wikipedia controversy referenced in this episode was first reported by Canadian Running Magazine in September 2024 and led to coverage in Runner's World, Women's Health, and other outlets. Herron's husband Conor Holt released a statement taking responsibility for the Wikipedia edits. Herron maintains her own account of events on her website.

This week on The Buzz, Buzz Burrell sits down in Moab, fresh off the finish of the Moab 240, with newly crowned Triple Crown champion Kilian Korth. In a season that redefined what's possible in ultrarunning, Kilian swept the 200-mile series, Tahoe, Bigfoot, and Moab, setting a new cumulative record and proving that success is built on years of setbacks. He opens up about how pulmonary edema, DNFs, and near-collapse moments became the foundation for his breakout year, why he prioritizes rest and recovery over mileage, and how a six-minute dirt nap can reboot the brain mid-race. From efficient aid-station strategy to fueling exclusively on simple sugars for nearly 60 hours, Kilian breaks down the methodical mindset behind running 200s fast—and the humility it takes to get there. He and Buzz talk sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and the mental games required to stay focused through multiple nights on foot. Plus, Kilian reveals his plans for 2026: the Cocodona 250 and a shot at the Colorado Trail FKT. Whether you're dreaming of your first 100 or fascinated by the world of multi-day racing, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, efficiency, and the art of going long.

In this episode of The Buzz, Buzz Burrell sits down with ultrarunning icon and race director Candice Burt, the woman who put 200-mile races on the map. From founding the Triple Crown of 200s to tackling self-supported FKT attempts on Colorado's infamous Nolan's 14, Candice has redefined what "too far" really means. They talk about what it takes to stay awake and moving for days on end, the psychology of pushing beyond comfort, and why even the most seasoned athletes need to respect the line between adventure and danger. Candice opens up about her 200-day streak of running 50Ks, the creation of the Arizona Monster 300, and what she's learned from organizing and rescuing runners in some of the toughest races on Earth. Together, Buzz and Candice explore how sleep, fear, and risk shape performance, and why the most meaningful endurance challenges aren't just about suffering, but about self-reliance, courage, and curiosity. Thanks to Arc'teryx for supporting The Buzz!

At this year's UTMB, it wasn't just about who won, it was about what the event has become. In this episode of The Buzz, host Buzz Burrell talks with longtime running journalist Brian Metzler about the transformation of UTMB Week into the sport's most competitive race series, biggest trade show, and all-out cultural festival. From Jim Walmsley's sprint finish at OCC, to Courtney Dauwalter's gritty 10th-place finish at UTMB, to Ruth Croft's commanding win, Buzz and Brian break down the racing itself before zooming out to ask what all the brand activations, media attention, and 175 million livestream views mean for the future of trail running. Thanks to Arc'teryx for supporting the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, check out the rest of the UltraSignup Podcast Network. The Trailhead with Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard brings humor, heart, and a love of running culture to every episode, and Between Two Pines offers offbeat, laugh-out-loud conversations with Dom Grossman and Andy Pearson. And now, both The Buzz and The Trailhead are on YouTube, so you can listen on the run or watch from home.

Take our listener survey! It only takes five minutes, and you help us make better podcasts. Adventure runner Fritz Sitte isn't chasing podiums, he's chasing experiences. In this episode of The Buzz, Fritz joins Buzz Burrell to share the story of his 6,400-mile, eight-month run from Cape Town to the northern tip of Africa, completed alongside his brother on a bicycle. They talk about the challenges of covering a continent without motorized support, the life lessons learned from protecting their relationship on the road, and why lowering your boundaries (and your pace) can lead to deeper cultural connections. Fritz also gives a preview of his next big project: running the length of Germany to set an FKT while raising money for refugee education, plus a possible attempt in the Atacama Desert. Along the way, they dig into the philosophy of "meaningful meaninglessness," the value of strength training for long efforts, and why you don't have to run 100K a day to make a journey run worthwhile. If you've ever dreamed about ditching the race bib for an open-ended adventure, this conversation might just convince you to take that first step. Thanks to Arc'teryx for supporting The Buzz!

Be part of shaping the future of UltraSignup podcasts. Share your feedback in our quick listener survey. This episode of The Buzz is a special one. Recorded at TrailCon in Palisades Tahoe—wedged between Broken Arrow and Western States, Buzz Burrell sits down with four powerhouse women shaping the future of trail and ultrarunning. These aren't just elite athletes and insiders; they're advocates, leaders, and storytellers working to redefine what inclusion, equity, and longevity look like in the sport. Buzz chats with: Anna Frost, a pioneer of professional trail running, who reflects on the early days of sponsorship (free shoes!), standing up for equal prize money, and what it means to have longevity in the sport after motherhood. Kelly Newlon, founder of RAD Boulder and athlete agent, who breaks down how contract negotiations are evolving for women and why authenticity, not follower count, is driving the next wave of professional sponsorship. Karen Merlin, UTMB World Series comms director, who outlines UTMB's progressive policies on pregnancy, broadcast equity, and women's visibility, and why growing participation isn't just about signing up, but being invited in. Hillary Allen, trail running veteran and US team qualifier, who offers a grounded look at what elite racing means for the rest of us—and why the "core" of the sport isn't just the fastest runners, but the everyday athletes building the community from the ground up. From podium protests to pregnancy clauses, this episode goes deep on the real forces shifting the landscape of trail running, and why everyone has a role to play. Subscribe to The Buzz for real talk with the people behind the biggest shifts in our sport. New episodes drop every other Tuesday, alternating with The Trailhead with Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard. 🎙 Got feedback or a guest idea? Email Buzz at buzz@ultrasignup.com.

David Roche might be known as the apostle of carbs, but there's much more to him than mid-race fueling math. In this conversation with Buzz Burrell, David opens up about the deeper forces that shape his running, coaching, and outlook on life. From nearly dying in a bike accident to experiencing depression and ultimately a powerful shift in perspective, David shares how mortality, vulnerability, and joy have become his most important performance tools. He talks candidly about the power of radical empathy—why he responds with love even to internet trolls—and how that mindset connects to his approach to coaching and competition. Thanks to Wahoo for supporting The Buzz! Check out the best-ever treadmill for trail runners. They also get into the science of what's working right now in endurance sports: high-carb fueling, extreme hydration strategies, and heat training. David breaks down how the peloton revolutionized fueling practices, why hydration needs are more individual than most athletes realize, and what he's doing to push the envelope at Western States. He explains how these marginal gains stack up, why they matter (and why they sometimes don't), and why transparency—not secrecy—is the path forward for the sport.

What does it take to finish the Barkley Marathons—not once, but three times? And what kind of person dreams of spending 40 straight days trying to break the Appalachian Trail FKT? This week on The Buzz, Buzz Burrell sits down with ultrarunner, data scientist, and father of four John Kelly. Known for his legendary Barkley finishes, the self-invented "Grand Round" in the UK, and a marathon PR under 2:30, John blends scientific rigor with deep grit. He's not just a top-tier athlete—he's a methodical thinker applying systems-level thinking to some of the hardest challenges in endurance sport. They discuss: • What went wrong (and right) at Barkley 2025 • Why failing early on matters—and how to keep showing up • His nuanced take on Jasmine Paris' historic Barkley finish • The logistics, strategy, and mindset behind his upcoming Appalachian Trail FKT attempt • Why training on a treadmill isn't a dealbreaker for mountain dreams • The case for "flexible consistency"—and why the best support crews are full-on teams. If you're curious how someone balances family, big goals, and brutal sleep deprivation while still pushing the sport forward, this one's for you. 📍Links: • John's blog: randomforestrunner.com • Start tracking John's Appalachian Trail FKT on May 25th Thanks to Wahoo Kickr for supporting The Buzz!