Designing a Robust Anti-Doping Programme for Trail Running with Brett Clothier

“Without trust, the spectacle means nothing.”In this episode, I am joined by Brett Clothier, the Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), to discuss the structural requirements for a robust anti-doping program in trail running. As our sport undergoes a phase of professionalisation, marked by six-figure athlete contracts, skyrocketing prize money, and global broadcast deals, the risks to its integrity have never been higher. Brett brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of global athletics to explain why trail running must act now to avoid the reputational crises that have historically plagued cycling and marathon running.We pull back the curtain on the "cat and mouse" game of modern anti-doping, moving beyond simple in-competition testing to the necessity of year-round, surprise out-of-competition monitoring. Brett explains the mechanics of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) and why the 12-hour detection window of modern microdosing has made traditional testing protocols largely obsolete. We also tackle the "fig leaf" problem; programs that provide the appearance of integrity without the substance required to actually catch sophisticated cheats.We also address the financial realities of clean sport, discussing why a robust program costs upwards of $1 million per year and how the industry can collaborate to fund it. From the "proactive investment" required to protect the sport’s future to the counter-intuitive reality that a lack of positive cases doesn't always mean a clean sport, this conversation is a sobering look at what it takes to protect the spirit of the trails.Whether you are an athlete navigating the new professional landscape, a race organiser, or a fan who wants to believe in the performances we witness, this discussion provides a masterclass in the infrastructure of integrity.Looking for coaching or guidance? Read more at https://bornonthetrail.substack.com/p/coachingRELATED BORN ON THE TRAIL CONTENTWe Need To Talk About (Anti-)Doping: https://bornonthetrail.substack.com/p/we-need-to-talk-about-anti-doping-trail-runningFOLLOW THE ATHLETICS INTEGRITY UNITWebsite: https://www.athleticsintegrity.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiu_athletics/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiu.athleticsX: https://x.com/aiu_athleticsContact the AIU at [email protected] or at https://www.athleticsintegrity.org/contact-usTo report integrity concerns: https://www.athleticsintegrity.org/aiu-integrity-lineWATCH THIS SHOW ON OTHER PLATFORMSYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bornonthetrailSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6o5yHthUidO0No4VA3xdVbApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/born-on-the-trail-going-longer/id1857231629YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvFOih1rUBA2F_3Bi7Ii-cAqieAQSumU_FOLLOW BORN ON THE TRAIL ON SOCIAL MEDIASubstack: https://bornonthetrail.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornonthetrail/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bornonthetrailFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bornonthetrail/ Get full access to Born on the Trail at bornonthetrail.substack.com/subscribe