Most Replayed Episode: Mason Coppi, 2026 U.S. Mountain Running Champion

Send us Fan MailMason Copi just came off a win at Cirque Series Alta, and what stood out to us wasn’t only the speed it was the optimism. We talk right after the race about the course, the steep Baldy descent, and why feeling “locked in” can look like smiling, waving, and actually enjoying the chaos.From there we zoom out into Mason’s full arc: Southern California roots, a nationally competitive high school program, Division I running at Furman, and the moment the sport started to feel like self-worth instead of sport. Mason shares how David Roche’s The Happy Runner mindset helped him rebuild a healthier relationship with training, then why trail running and sub-ultra racing became the perfect reset. If you care about mountain running, the Golden Trail Series, and the rise of the hybrid track-to-trails athlete, this one hits all the right notes.We also get practical. Mason breaks down how he trains like a road athlete during the week with threshold and 10K-style work, then adds mountain specificity on weekends. We dig into cross-training doubles on the bike to build aerobic volume with less wear and tear, plus his simple race-day nutrition for an hour-long mountain race, including caffeine gel timing and why “something sweet” can help you go all out.If you’re chasing faster sub-ultra results, better mindset under pressure, or just a more sustainable love for trail running, you’ll leave with tools you can use right away. Subscribe, share this with a running friend, and leave a rating and review so more people can find the show.Use code SteepStuff for 20% your cart on Sidas.usFollow James on IG - @jameslaurielloFollow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_podFollow Sidas USA on IG - @sidas_usa