On x Sesame Street, Outside layoffs, TrainerRoad on Zwift, Sidi returns, Nike launches SWOOSH, IRONMAN shoe ban, and more…

👋 Good morning and happy Friday. I’m Scott and feel free to reach me here.

This is the Front Pack Newsletter, your weekly source for all things endurance and business. We feed you the most important things happening in the world of health & wellness, cycling, triathlon, and running.

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As always. Stay moving…✌️

SB

The Biz

Elmo Joins On Running with SOFT WINS: Found this very cute and creative which aligns with the On ethos. Nothing like partnering with Elmo and Sesame Street to take a step back and realize running should be fun. Swiss sportswear brand On and beloved global icon Elmo challenge the ‘go-hard’ mentality of running with SOFT WINS, empowering runners to also embrace self-compassion, community, and a more mindful approach to performance. The campaign aims to inspire runners with the idea that a softer, more balanced approach can be just as powerful—whether that’s through celebrating personal milestones, enjoying the ritual of running, or connecting with friends and community. The campaign also marks the launch of the Cloudsurfer 2, one of On’s softest-ever running shoes. Read more…

TrainerRoad x Zwift Happens: Cyclists, get ready—TrainerRoad and Zwift have (finaly) officially joined forces; offering a seamless integration of structured training and immersive virtual riding. By connecting your TrainerRoad and Zwift accounts, your personalized TrainerRoad workouts automatically appear in Zwift’s ‘For You’ section, allowing you to enjoy Zwift’s engaging environment while following TrainerRoad’s effective training plans. This eliminates the need for manual setups or juggling multiple apps, providing a more streamlined and enjoyable training experience. Headquarted in Reno, Nevada, TrainerRoad was founded in 2010 by Reid Pearson and Reid Weber. Pearson is the CEO and co-founder. Read more…

Quintana Roo x IRONMAN: Quintana Roo is the first brand to enter IRONMAN’s new Bike Partner Program, which will see Quintana Roo appear at more events to service athlete bikes, launch co-branded versions of their triathlon bikes, and allow for athletes to try bikes from multiple vendors at race expos globally. Brands participating in the new program will be given access to IRONMAN’s global audience and drive improved athlete experience with an eye towards the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships. Brands will be given the opportunity to focus on key markets for their own sales targets and interface directly with current and potential customers. Read more…

Nike Launches Swoosh TC: The fitness giant is deepening its commitment to elite running with the launch of a nationwide network of distance running clubs. By getting back to its roots, the company is investing in structured training programs, experienced coaching, and dedicated facilities for elite runners. Hubs are starting in Utah, Oregon (proximity to Nike), and Arizona (altitude benefits) for now. Read more…

Sidi Returns to North America: For a lot of North American cyclists, Sidi hasn’t been a brand worth considering in a long time. Mostly because they were hard to come by or simply, price. Sidi is looking to fix that in a few ways. On the pricing and distribution side, North American customers are going to see a major change. Sidi is working with QBP, the largest North American bike distributor and Sidi’s U.S. distributor since late 2023, to get the brand’s shoes on more local shelves this spring. North American distribution will also bring pricing in line with comparative products — note that this doesn’t mean cheap — and large online retailers such as Backcountry, Velotech, Bicycle Addiction, and Jenson will have stock as well. Read more…

Outside Acquires: If you haven’t followed what Outside is up to, they’re continually building up digital arms to be a one-stop shop for outdoor adventure travel. Case in point. They’ve acquired Inntopia, a SaaS platform which facilitates bookings by resorts and provides access to a broad range of third-party distribution channels. By integrating Inntopia’s SaaS platform and research capabilities with Outside’s network of event directors, tourism partnerships, and hospitality partners, Inntopia’s platform can deliver curated and comprehensive adventure travel packages, including accommodations, local activities, equipment rentals, and activity ticketing, capturing previously untapped revenue streams and creating additional value for partners. Read more…

Outside Lays Off: In a companywide email, more than 20 members of the magazine’s editorial and business staffs were laid off, leaving doubt about the ongoing viability of the publication in print and online. Employees affected by the mass firing said one print editor and three online editors remain while the company’s outside PR agency said, our editorial team across all of the Outside Inc. brands remains one of our largest groups of full-time employees. Lots of drama but one things remains certain, the company’s CEO, Robin Thurston plans to take the company public in three to four years. Read more…

SuperTri Spends Big: The short course leader went ahead and has acquired short course US races, specifically the Ascension Seton Austin CapTex Triathlon, and Kerrville Triathlon. All part of an ongoing plan that Supertri CEO Michael D’Hulst describes as making “short course cool again” as the company tries to build on the momentum heading into the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Read more…

On Cloudsurfer 2

If you didn’t see, we wrote about the all-new On Cloudsurfer 2 trainers that were announced on Thursday. Give it a read here and check out the overview video below.

Meanwhile

Other happenings in the world of endurance.

Records Smashed at Black Canyon 100K: I’ll say it, a ton of records will be smashed in 2025. At the Black Canyon 100K in the Arizona desert, it was U.S. runner Riley Brady delivering a stunning performance and leaving nothing to chance, delivering a dominant performance and taking the lead from the halfway mark to the finish. She crossed the line in 8:16:18, obliterating Keely Henninger’s 2023 course record by nearly 30 minutes. In the men’s race, American Seth Ruhling ran a masterful race, surging late to claim victory in a blistering 7:24:55—taking more than five minutes off Hayden Hawks‘s previous course record, set last year. Read more…

Psychopath Status: French born ultra-runner, Mathieu Blanchard was the first to finish a brutal 600k Yukon race in -40°F temps. The race is part of a series known as the world’s “coldest and toughest” ultra. Of those that started, nearly 30 dropped out due to exhaustion and cold-related injuries. So how did Blanchard describe the race, Pain, joy, madness, survival, achievement, fight, suffering, euphoria, fear. Read more…

IRONMAN reveals Banned Super (and not so Super) Shoes: If you’re into super stacks on your race shoes, rethink your IRONMAN strategy because the company has put 8 different brands and models on its 2025 No Fly List. Any shoe with a stack higher than 40mm is prohibited which is hilarious because the Asics Novablast line is a very normal trainer shoe. Read more…

• Adidas: Adizero Prime X / Adizero Prime X Strung / Adizero Prime X 2 Strung

• Asics: SUPERBLAST / Novablast 4 / Novablast 5

• New Balance: FuelCell SuperComp Trainer

• Saucony: Kinvara Pro

Netflix cancels Tour de France – Unchained: All-in-all, the series will have lasted three seasons with the third airing in June 2025. But alas, no more after that. Especially troubling for Tour fans because Eurosport will be gone at the end of the month, Netflix said, “After three seasons, we are naturally coming to an end of this cycle,” the statement read. “We’re very proud of the work we’ve done and of the public response to the documentary series, which has allowed us to offer a fresh take on this legendary competition. Read more…

Breaking 120: The question I get most often, what gravel tire size you running. And the second, how many grams of carbs do you do? The carbohydrate revolution stomped the accelerator this past year and this article highlights just why 120g of carbs may become the new normal for pro cycling. I tap out at 100g/hr but if you can stomach it, good on you. Read more…

Training Tips

Because training is life.

Tadej Pogacar’s Latest Training Ride Changes Everything: Tadej Pogačar might take on Paris-Roubaix after a cryptic training ride on the Arenberg cobbles. Is he ready for the Hell of the North? Stay tuned.

Rewatchables

Content for long training days inside or just everyday life.

Chasing Dreams: Golden Trail Series: Join UNREEL in the Basque Country as Rémi Bonnet defends his title and Manuel Merillas chases a seven-year dream on Zegama’s challenging trails.

The Best 2025 GPS Bike Computer Is OLD: In the market for a new bike computer? The gang at BikeRadar compares 10 different models, ultimately concluding which may be best for you.

2025 Black Canyon 100K Race Highlights: Watch as the men’s and women’s leaders battle through relentless rollers, scorching descents, and river crossings, showcasing incredible grit and strategy. From early race surges to dramatic late moves, we capture every crucial moment—including the thrilling finishes that secured Western States berths.

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