The Directors

In this episode, Cooper Knowlton sits down with Cole Townsend, writer of the Running Supply newsletter, which covers the intersection of running and fashion. They discuss the evolution of the newsletter, the rise of new running brands, and the cultural dynamics shaping running apparel. Cole also shares insights on emerging labels, how pricing influences consumer behavior, and the future trends in the space. The conversation also dives into experiential marketing at running events, the saturation of marathon pop-ups, and Cole’s vision for the future of both his newsletter and the running industry. It's a great conversation and we hope you give it a listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Cooper Knowlton sits down with Austin Lo and Victor Zeitoune, the creators of the $1 Ultra, an unsanctioned backyard-style ultra they launched in NYC earlier this summer. They break down how the race format works, including its innovative $1 buy-in and prize money structure, and share stories from race day, including how they dealt with the parks department without having a permit. The discussion also dives into how athletes responded to the stripped-down, community-driven concept and what the future might look like for unsanctioned backyard ultras. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Cooper Knowlton interviews Chris Tolley, the man behind the Driveway Series in Austin, Texas. They discuss the unique aspects of the Driveway Series, including its location, race formats, and community engagement. Chris shares insights into the challenges of promoting cycling events, the barriers to entry for new participants, and the importance of sponsorship and community support. They also explore the potential for integrating running events into the Driveway Series and the inspiration Chris draws from other event series around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with Alison Wade, the voice behind Fast Women, the go-to newsletter and media platform covering women's distance running. They dive into how Fast Women got started, what it takes to build a business around a niche sport, and the realities of running an independent media company in today’s brand-driven landscape. The conversation also touches on the Nike Breaking2 Project, Athlos, and the broader state of the sport today. It’s a wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation and we hope you give it a listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with Ben Rosario, the former head coach of NAZ Elite and the current director of the Marathon Project, returning this December in Arizona. Ben takes us through the origins of the Marathon Project during the pandemic, why and how version two is taking shape, and how it fits into the bigger picture of pro running leading into the 2028 Olympic Trials. Ben and Cooper also chat about how the stress of coaching compares to the stress of race directing, Ben’s evolving role in the world of pro running, and what’s next in his career. It's a great conversation and we hope you give it a listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with Peter Abraham — former CMO of the LA Marathon and founder of Abraham Content Marketing Studio. They talk about the All-American Rejects tour, what running can learn from the world of cycling, the future of livestreaming, the power of storytelling, and how events can better connect with their communities. It’s a wide-ranging conversation full of insight for anyone working in or around the endurance space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Cooper chats with David Grass, founder of Faces of Fitness Chicago, a two-day, festival-style event that brings together top studio classes, celebrity instructors, and an immersive wellness experience in the heart of Chicago. David shares the origin story of the festival — where the idea came from, what inspired it, and how it took shape. He also reflects on how the event has evolved over time, including the thinking behind creative decisions like bringing in a major celebrity DJ to headline this year’s lineup. The conversation dives into the business of event production: partnering with brands, navigating sponsorships, envisioning the future of fitness festivals, and managing the unpredictable realities of live events. It’s a great conversation, and we hope you give it a listen.You can learn more about Faces of Fitness Chicago here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.