In this podcast, veteran ultrarunner Andy Jones-Wilkins (AJW) invites a guest from the world of trail and ultrarunner to share with him a favorite beverage and engage in lively conversation about running and life. Guests include athletes, race directors, coaches, and media personalities.. Contact me: ajoneswilkins@gmail.com
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Trail Runner Nation co-host Scott Warr to talk about his long history with podcasting, some of his fondest memories of the podcast and his upcoming quest to complete the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Follow Scott on Instagram @scottwarrski
9/5/26 • 61:55
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Jeff Garmire to talk about his incredible self-supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail in 2025, his 6 year streak at the Cocodona 250, and his reflections on the current state of the sport. Follow Jeff on instagram @thefreeoutside Check out the film about his 2025 FKT here
8/29/26 • 66:44
In this episode AJW welcomes Kaci Lickteig, AKA the Pixie Ninja, back to the podcast to discuss her recent experience at the Hardock 100, how she trains for big mountain races in the Great Plains, and her thoughtful comparison between Hardock and Western States. Follow Kaci on Instagram @pixieninja44
8/22/26 • 54:22
In this first episode of Season 15, AJW cracks a brew with Canyon Woodward to talk about his breakout performance at the 2026 Western States 100 and to look ahead to the 2026 UTMB. Additionally, Canyon turns the mic on AJW to talk about his Western States career, his Master's Thesis and his thoughts about the future of the sport. Follow Canyon on Instagram @canyonwoodward Learn more about the Green Racing Project
8/15/26 • 67:09
In this bonus Unplugged Episode AJW reflects back on his pre race picks, analyzes the evolving competitive density in both the men's and women's races, and discusses the emerging dominance of CTS as the preeminent Western States Endurance Coaching Company. He finishes with a personal update and his plans for the summer. Follow AJW on Instagram @ajoneswilkins
7/4/26 • 37:03
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Western States 100 co-founders Mo Livermore and Shannon Weil to re-live the origins of the race, provide details on some of the key characters in the history of the race, and provide some insight as to why, all these years later, they still have passion and devotion to this incredible event.
6/26/26 • 49:57
In this special episode AJW cracks a brew with 14 time Western States Champion Ann Trason. In their wide ranging discussion they talk about Ann's legacy at the event, her unique relationship with the trail, and her thoughts about the future of women in ultrarunning. Follow Ann on Instagram @ann.trason
6/25/26 • 47:05
In this latest AJW Unplugged episode AJW discusses the current projected race conditions, makes some predictions about the front end of the race, dives into some storylines he's be following, and summarizes what to him makes Western States like no other race. Follow AJW on Instagram @ajoneswilkins
6/20/26 • 65:19
In this extraordinary episode AJW cracks a brew with Brian Morrison to talk about his race at the 2006 Western States, his tragic collapse on the track 200 meters from the finish line, and the book he has recently published to tell the story 20 years later. Find Brian's amazing book here Follow Brian on Instagram @briantmorrison
6/13/26 • 90:38
In this episode AJW cracks a a brew with Zach Miller just a couple of weeks before his first run at the Western States 100. In this wide ranging discussion they talk about Zach's long and successful career, some highlights from his early days as a runner and cruise ship worker, and his thoughts going into the 2026 Western States. Follow Zach on Instagram @zachmiller38 Check out Miller v Hawks on youtube here
6/6/26 • 56:56
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Montana ultrarunner Jeff Mogavero to discuss his hardscrabble upbringing back east, developing a love of the trails, and his thoughts and plans going into this year's Western States 100. Follow Jeff on instagram @jeffmogavero Check out Jeff's website jeffmogavero.com
5/30/26 • 61:01
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Hannah Allgood 7th place finisher at the 2025 Western States. Along the way they discuss Hannah's background, her training, and her focus going into the 2026 Western States 100. Follow Hannah on Instagram @shesallgood21
5/23/26 • 48:04
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with rising star on the Australian trail running scene Holly Ranson to talk about her Golden Ticket at Tarawera 100K, the challenges and joys of trail running in Australia, and all that she is excited about going into her first run at Western States next month. Follow Holly on Instagram @hollyranson
5/16/26 • 48:20
In this most recent AJW Unplugged AJW provides some historical background on the recently completed Golden Ticket Series, looks ahead with predictions and analysis about the upcoming Cocodona 250, and provides a personal update about all that he's been up to recently and what's ahead for him. Follow AJW on Instagram @ajoneswilkins Learn about AJWs coaching practice here Check out Dylan Harris's latest Cocdona film "The Cutoff" here Read AJWs weekly column here
5/2/26 • 54:21
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with runner/writer Sarah Lavender Smith to discuss running into middle age and the balance required to continue in the sport for the long term. Sarah also turns the mic on AJW and asks him some very provocative questions. It's a fun one! Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahrunning Check out Sarah's website sarahlavendersmith.com And her Substack sarahrunning.substack.com
4/25/26 • 60:49
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Jacob Banta, elite trail runner and renowned photographer/videographer to discuss his Golden Ticket at Tarawera in February, his build up to the 2026 Western States 100, and how he strives to balance his perspective on the sport from both sides of the camera lens. Follow Jacob on Instagram @banta.visuals Check out Jacob's work at his website bantavisuals.co
4/18/26 • 49:45
In this episode AJW cracks a brew when Meg Eckert to discuss her incredible 6 Day World Record of over 600 miles, her upcoming race at the Cocodona 250, and how she balances the unique demands of multi day races on the trail and the track. Follow Meg on Instagram @megan_eckert
4/11/26 • 48:55
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with North Carolina's Canyon Woodward to discuss his unique upbringing in the mountains of Western North Carolina, his career as a grassroots political organizer and his hopes for the future as he prepares for the 2026 Western States 100. Follow Canyon on instagram @canyonwoodward Learn about his organization Dirtroad Organizing here
4/4/26 • 51:43
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with Colorado based trail and ultrarunner Imogen Ainsworth to talk about her active upbringing in athletics, her incredible 2nd place finish at the 2025 Leadville 100 and her hopes and dreams going into her 2026 season. Follow Imogen on instagram @imogenainsworth
3/28/26 • 46:38
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with 2025 Rookie of the Year Anne Flower. They discuss her assault on Ann Trason's Leadville Course Record, her world record 50 miler, and her Western States dreams going into the Black Canyon 100K Follow Anne on Instagram @_flowpow_ Check out our website!
2/14/26 • 47:30
In this first episode of Season 13 AJW cracks a brew with Will Murray, Rookie of the Year for 2025 and an all around great guy. Along the way they talk about the connection between teaching and running and how Will manages to stay so calm in the midst of the chaotic world of high level ultrarunning. Follow Will on Instagram @willmurray.run Check out our website.
2/7/26 • 50:57
In this special New Year's Day Episode of Crack a Brew with AJW we review our predictions from 2025, make three wishes for 2026, and launch a new book review feature as well as providing a personal update on training, racing, and all things in between. Follow AJW on instagram @ajoneswilkins
1/1/26 • 50:35
In this episode, for the 3rd consecutive year, AJW cracks a brew with Finn Melanson to discuss the year in ultrarunning. In addition to sharing their picks for these prestigious awards they also comment on rookie of the year, surprise of the year, most inspirational of the year, FKT of the year and best trail running film of the year. Check out Finn's excellent podcast here Follow Finn on Instagram @runsingletrack The Chase Trail Folk
12/27/25 • 78:53
In this latest episode in the Youth Movement series AJW cracks a brew with 27 year old trail runner Annie Hughes to discuss her passion for really long distance races, returning from injury, and her hopes and dreams for the year ahead. Follow Annie on instagram @annie.a.hughes
12/20/25 • 65:21
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with 2025 Western States Champion Caleb Olson to discuss training and racing with a young and growing family, his great story about receiving the coveted Western States Cougar trophy, and his pursuit of climbing 1,000,000 vertical feet in 2025. Follow Caleb on Instagram @calebolson123
12/13/25 • 53:14
In this latest episode of the Youth Movement series AJW cracks a brew with East Coast Crusher Lila Gaudrault to talk about her love of the East Coast Trail Running, how she balances running with a full-time health care job and her thoughts going into her first ever race "out west" The Cocodona 250! Follow Lila on Instagram @lilagaudrault
12/7/25 • 53:46
In this episode AJW Cracks a Brew with 23 year old Missouri ultrarunner Cody Poskin to discuss his approach to training and racing, the youth movement in long distance running, and his experience running (and winning!) the Ultra Gobi 400K race in China. Follow Cody on Instagram @cody_poskin
11/29/25 • 52:07
In this episode AJW cracks a brew with 25 year old Hans Troyer to discuss his experiences with Rhabdomyolisis at the 2024 Black Canyon 100K, hist experience at his first Western States in 2025 and his hopes for the upcoming JFK 50. Follow Hans on Instagram @hanstroyer Check out the film "The Kid" right here
11/22/25 • 58:54
In this first episode of the Youth Movement series AJW cracks a brew with 20 year old Kaylee Frederick of Pittsburgh, PA. In their wide ranging conversation they discuss running ultras at a young age, silencing the doubters, and surprising the field at the 24 Hour World Championships earlier this year. You can follow Kaylee on Instagram @frederick.kaylee
11/15/25 • 52:23
In this episode AJW hands the microphone to his son Logan to crack a brew with wife and mother Shelly Jones-Wilkins. In their conversation they discuss their recent experience at the Javelina Jundred, their 10 year run at the Western States 100, and some of the keys to sustaining a long term healthy relationship with ultrarunning as a big part of it. Not surprisingly, Shelly doesn't do social media You can follow Logan on Instagram @ljoneswilkins Your can follow AJW on Instagram @ajoneswilkins
11/1/25 • 51:53