The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman

The UTMB Index and race scores have become increasingly significant in the global trail running ecosystem. The Index upstream of sponsorship and race entry opportunities for pros, it allows fans to gauge who is performing best on the world's stage, and it helps media members contextualize performances across years, distances, and different course terrains.
Today the UTMB Index is evolving in some subtle yet important ways. Joining me to talk all about it are Adrian Vincentand Karen Merlin — two members of the team who worked on this new system and are well qualified to explain how things are changing and what it means for the sport.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro + episode overview (UTMB Index) 00:50 – Guest introductions (Adrian Vincent & Karen Merlin) 02:50 – Why the UTMB Index was created 07:25 – Why the index matters for the sport 10:45 – Index vs. race scores explained 13:40 – What the index is (and isn't) 15:45 – Why changes were needed 19:40 – Gender scoring discussion 24:40 – Myth: bias toward UTMB races 26:15 – Challenge of collecting global race results 30:55 – Myth: weather/conditions affect scores 37:15 – New scoring system overview 39:25 – Step 1: Finding similar races 42:40 – Step 2: Expected score + confidence 47:45 – Step 3: Selecting high-quality data 51:20 – Step 4: Final calculation (regression explained) 55:05 – Retroactive re-scoring (what changes) 56:10 – Impact on everyday runners 57:10 – Impact on elite athletes + qualification 58:55 – Myth: bad races hurt your index 01:00:55 – Highest scores ever (new system) 01:06:10 – Behind the scenes of the rebuild 01:09:00 – Transparency + final thoughts 01:10:30 – Closing remarks
Additional Material:
Educational video: "How my UTMB Index is calculated" 
Methodology note 
General public article
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Sponsors:
 
Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order of NEVERSECOND nutrition at never2.com
Check out the Capilene Cool Sun Hoodie from Patagonia
Use code FREETRAIL for an extra discount on Clearlight Saunas at HealWithHeat.com
Use this link for 30% off Ketone-IQ
Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts

 
Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava

Welcome to Freetrail's coverage of the 2026 Canyons by UTMB, brought to you in partnership with our good friends at HOKA.
 We're grateful for their long-term belief in and support of Freetrail!
Today's show is hosted by Dylan Bowman and he's joined by long-time co-host Corrine Malcolm.
We are recording from the Placer Land Trust office which sits directly in front of The Canyons finish line located in downtown Auburn.
Timestamps: --
50k Champions Interviews (Matt Daniels & Makena Morley) -- 1:50
100k Women's Podium Interviews (Riley Brady, Careth Arnold, & Sarah Allaben) -- 22:30
100k Mens's Podium Interviews (Adam Peterman, Zach Miller, & Hayden Hawks) -- 46:30
 
Make sure to tune into all of Freetrail's coverage of the 2026 Canyons by UTMB. --Thursday April 23rd LIVE at 5pm PT: 
100k Preview: Storylines, Stats and Contenders --Friday April 24th LIVE at 12pm PT:
Golden Ticket Predictions at 12pm PT:
Final Thoughts & Canyons 50k Preview --Saturday April 25th LIVE at 5pm PT:
Canyons by UTMB Instant Recap Show: Golden Tickets, Podium Interviews & Race Highlights
Check out the HOKA Speedgoat 7 shoes, a grippy, responsive ride for technical terrain.
You can also head over to the HOKA Speedgoat 7 Vert Challenge on Strava:
https://www.strava.com/challenges/5640?utm_source=social&utm_medium=challenge_partner&utm_campaign=hoka_challenge_5640&_branch_match_id=1538634737242359682&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAAwXBQQqAIBAF0BOpyyCIFh0kpvqpaM4wDrbr7L2XzKTPIXRTGuRJxNfcSkhcyHUBrshkbnIDau5MVCtaxPopbqjmFvdD%2Be3QZUvKD35ZAzWTUQAAAA%3D%3D
Make sure to play Freetrail's own fantasy trail running at https://fantasy.freetrail.com/events for a chance to win sweet prizes including Freetrail swag and special items from our partners at HOKA!
Freetrail Links:
Website | https://freetrail.com/
Freetrail Pro | https://freetrail.com/pro/
Patreon | / dylanbowman Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrai...
YouTube | / @freetrail
Freetrail Experts | https://freetrail.com/experts/
Dylan Links:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo/?hl=en
Twitter | https://twitter.com/dylanbo?lang=en
LinkedIn | / dylan-bowman-06174380

Welcome to Freetrail's coverage of the 2026 Canyons by UTMB, brought to you in partnership with our good friends at HOKA. We're grateful for their long-term belief in and support of Freetrail!
Today's show is hosted by Dylan Bowman and he's joined by long-time co-host Corrine Malcolm.
We are recording from the Placer Land Trust office which sits directly in front of The Canyons finish line located in downtown Auburn.
Make sure to tune into all of Freetrail's coverage of the 2026 Canyons by UTMB.
--Thursday April 23rd LIVE at 5pm PT: 100k Preview: Storylines, Stats and Contenders -
-Friday April 24th LIVE at 12pm PT: Golden Ticket Predictions at 12pm PT: Final Thoughts & Canyons 50k Preview
--Saturday April 25th LIVE at 5pm PT: Canyons by UTMB Instant Recap Show: Golden Tickets, Podium Interviews & Race Highlights
Check out the HOKA Speedgoat 7 shoes, a grippy, responsive ride for technical terrain.
You can also head over to the HOKA Speedgoat 7 Vert Challenge on Strava:
https://www.strava.com/challenges/5640?utm_source=social&utm_medium=challenge_partner&utm_campaign=hoka_challenge_5640&_branch_match_id=1538634737242359682&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAAwXBQQqAIBAF0BOpyyCIFh0kpvqpaM4wDrbr7L2XzKTPIXRTGuRJxNfcSkhcyHUBrshkbnIDau5MVCtaxPopbqjmFvdD%2Be3QZUvKD35ZAzWTUQAAAA%3D%3D
Make sure to play Freetrail's own fantasy trail running at https://fantasy.freetrail.com/events for a chance to win sweet prizes including Freetrail swag and special items from our partners at HOKA!
Freetrail Links:
Website | https://freetrail.com/
Freetrail Pro | https://freetrail.com/pro/
Patreon | / dylanbowman Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrai...
YouTube | / @freetrail
Freetrail Experts | https://freetrail.com/experts/
Dylan Links: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo/?hl=en
Twitter | https://twitter.com/dylanbo?lang=en
LinkedIn | / dylan-bowman-06174380

Welcome to Freetrail's coverage of the 2026 Canyons by UTMB, brought to you in partnership with our good friends at HOKA. We're grateful for their long-term belief in and support of Freetrail!
Today's show is hosted by Dylan Bowman and he's joined by long-time co-host Corrine Malcolm.
We are recording from the Placer Land Trust office which sits directly in front of The Canyons finish line located in downtown Auburn.
Make sure to tune into all of Freetrail's coverage of the 2026 Canyons by UTMB.
--Thursday April 23rd LIVE at 5pm PT: 100k Preview: Storylines, Stats and Contenders -
-Friday April 24th LIVE at 12pm PT: Golden Ticket Predictions at 12pm PT: Final Thoughts & Canyons 50k Preview
--Saturday April 25th LIVE at 5pm PT: Canyons by UTMB Instant Recap Show: Golden Tickets, Podium Interviews & Race Highlights
Check out the HOKA Speedgoat 7 shoes, a grippy, responsive ride for technical terrain.
You can also head over to the HOKA Speedgoat 7 Vert Challenge on Strava:
https://www.strava.com/challenges/5640?utm_source=social&utm_medium=challenge_partner&utm_campaign=hoka_challenge_5640&_branch_match_id=1538634737242359682&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAAwXBQQqAIBAF0BOpyyCIFh0kpvqpaM4wDrbr7L2XzKTPIXRTGuRJxNfcSkhcyHUBrshkbnIDau5MVCtaxPopbqjmFvdD%2Be3QZUvKD35ZAzWTUQAAAA%3D%3D
Make sure to play Freetrail's own fantasy trail running at https://fantasy.freetrail.com/events for a chance to win sweet prizes including Freetrail swag and special items from our partners at HOKA!
Freetrail Links:
Website | https://freetrail.com/
Freetrail Pro | https://freetrail.com/pro/
Patreon | / dylanbowman Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/runfreetrai...
YouTube | / @freetrail
Freetrail Experts | https://freetrail.com/experts/
Dylan Links: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dylanbo/?hl=en
Twitter | https://twitter.com/dylanbo?lang=en
LinkedIn | / dylan-bowman-06174380

Rest Day Live is back tonight with Tim Tollefson in the co-host chair, broadcasting from Boston on Marathon Monday.
We're joined at the top of the show by Molly Seidel to discuss her upcoming races at Canyons 50k and Western States, along with her new partnership with SATISFY.
We'll be LIVE on YouTube every Monday at 5pm PT.
Run of Show
Molly Seidel interview
Mathieu Blanchard joins KIPRUN
Zach Miller Golden Ticket chase
Madeira Island Ultra Trail preview
Jim's IG nugget
Canyons Trailgating + Mammoth Trailfest updates
Strava file of the week
Bonus Miles (Freetrail Pro)
Join Freetrail Pro to access the after show
Links & Resources
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://mailing.freetrail.com/newslettersignup
Join Freetrail Pro: https://freetrail.com/pro
Register for TrailCon: https://trailconference.com/register/
Sponsors
NEVERSECOND — Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order: https://www.never2.com
Clearlight Sauna — Use code FREETRAIL for a discount: https://healwithheat.com/
Use this link for 30% off Ketone-IQ
Freetrail
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 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