In this conversation, Cooper Knowlton speaks with Michael Krajicek, founder of Atreyu Running, about his path to starting his own shoe company, the challenges of entering the footwear space, and the unique obstacles he faced along the way. Michael discusses the importance of running a business authentically—doing things your own way and not selling out. He also opens up about the difficult decision to begin winding down Atreyu, the impact of tariffs and outside market forces, and the lessons learned throughout the process. Finally, Michael reflects on what the next chapter looks like and how he’s thinking about what comes next. It's a really great conversation and we hope you give it a listen.

In this episode, Cooper Knowlton sits down with Jeff Merrill, president of Portland Track, to talk about the evolution of track and field and the role storytelling plays in growing the sport. They dig into the unique appeal of athletes like Josh Kerr, the importance of community engagement, and what it takes to make events sustainable. Jeff also shares lessons from his time with the Brooks Beasts and his experiences at the World Championships, underscoring the value of creating memorable moments for both athletes and fans. The conversation closes on a hopeful note, pointing to the opportunities ahead for track and field to grow and deepen its community connections.

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.

In this episode of The Directors, Cooper Knowlton talks with Cliff Bosley, the race director of the iconic BOLDERBoulder 10K. They discuss the race’s history and growth into one of the largest road races in the country, how BB elevates the professional races, and the challenges and innovations behind managing an event of this scale. Cliff also chats about how the team is preparing for the 50th anniversary and future of one of America's most iconic events. It's a great conversation and hope you give it a listen.

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.

On this episode, Cooper sits down with Brooks Bash, founder of Earthy, who’s in the middle of one of the wildest challenges you can imagine: the Earthy 5000. Brooks talks about what the first seven days have looked like, why he decided to take this on, where it’s headed, and the hurdles of trying to sell 5,000 bags of his product. It’s a quick conversation, but a wild ride—give it a listen.

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.

On this episode of The Directors, Dave and Cooper sit down for a midyear review of the Trials of Miles business. From the best moments to the biggest flops, they reflect on what worked, what didn't and everything in-between. The conversation is candid, wide-ranging, and filled with behind-the-scenes insights into what it’s really like running an event company in the endurance space. They also look ahead at what’s coming up for the second half of the year and beyond. Give it a listen and let us know what you think!

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.

On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with Aron D’Souza, President of The Enhanced Games. They dive into what the first edition of the Enhanced Games will look like when it debuts in Las Vegas in 2026, explore the event’s unique business model, and discuss how the track and field competition will be structured. The conversation also covers how the Enhanced Games recruits athletes, its overarching mission, and the issues it aims to address within the Olympic system. It’s a fascinating and thought-provoking episode and we hope you give it a listen.

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.

On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with Abram Dickerson, founder and director of Aspire Adventure Running. During the conversation they dive into Abraham's journey building Aspire and exploring how the company blends trail running with immersive backcountry experiences. The conversation also covers the unique challenges of leading multi-day running trips versus traditional races, the business model behind adventure travel, and what it takes to market and sell outdoor experiences. Abe also shares insights into the broader guiding industry and where he sees this niche heading in the years ahead.

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.

On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with John LaCroix, the founder and director of the Human Potential Race Series. John shares the origin story behind the series and his path into race directing, offering a unique perspective shaped by two decades in trail and ultrarunning. The conversation covers how the sport of ultrarunning has evolved—from a grassroots community to one increasingly influenced by brands and big business. John doesn’t shy away from addressing some of the sport’s growing pains, including the risks posed by inexperienced race organizers. He also talks about how he maintains optimism in the face of these challenges and what the future holds for both himself and the broader trail community.

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.

On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with Dave Dressman, the Event Director of the GoPro Mountain Games. They dive into the origin story of this iconic multi-sport festival and the immense challenge of managing 11 adventure sport disciplines and over 30 competitions—including kayaking, running, slackline, DockDogs, rafting, SUP’ing, mountain and road cycling, climbing, fishing, disc golf, and more. Dave shares insights on navigating unpredictable elements like river conditions and weather, the importance of strong partnerships, and how today's economic climate is impacting the world of events.

On this episode of The Directors, Dave and Cooper sit down with Mandy Mullen, the director of the Run Windsor race series in Windsor, Colorado, and the Colorado Relays. On the episode Mandy shares her journey into race directing, the growth and expansion of her business, and the challenges that come with managing races. She also discusses her motivation for taking over the Colorado Relays and her vision for its future.

The conversation highlights the unique aspects of race directing, including the non-financial rewards that come from this profession. It also gets into how new races are born and when it makes sense to retire them.

Mandy is an exceptional figure in the race director community, and we hope you’ll take the time to hear her inspiring story.

On this episode of The Directors, Dave and Cooper sit down just days after the Athlos NYC meet to share their first impressions of this new contender in the track and field world. They break down the event’s presentation, the impressive production quality, and discuss the excitement surrounding the races and storylines. The conversation also touches on the integration of betting with DraftKings and how the event schedule was crafted. Finally, they explore what the future holds for Athlos, its place in the broader events landscape, and the business model driving this unique event. Tune in and let us know your thoughts!

On this episode of The Directors, Dave and Cooper sit down for a one-on-one chat to dive into the latest happenings in the world of events. They break down the thrilling 1v1 race between Mondo and Warholm, discuss the recent UFC event held at the Sphere, and chat about the announcement of increased prize money at the Diamond League meets. The duo also previews the much-anticipated Athlos Meet in NYC and talk about the recent collab between Red Bull and Prada. Tune in, and let us know what you think!

On this episode of the Directors Dave and Cooper catchup with Brian Mister shortly after he wrapped up his 6th year directing the Around the Crown 10k in Charlotte, NC. During the conversation Brian shares some of the strategies he’s used to get 25% year over year growth, the creative thinking he’s used to bring on brand partners, and how he’s turned this race into a 365-day evergreen event. Brian is one of the best in the business and this conversation is jam packed with valuable information. It's well worth a listen for anyone in the race industry.