From a pool of more than 200 applicants, 14 runners were handpicked to represent SingleTrack and become ambassadors – not just as athletes, but as storytellers, community builders, and trail lovers with serious heart. Kate Dzienis speaks with Course Director Joe Dorph and ambassadors Maddi O’Donnell and Andy Zhang about what makes this team more than just a squad in full kit.
If you’ve been to a SingleTrack event lately, you’d likely have seen the team kit.
You’ve probably even chatted with one of the crew – lacing up, cheering loud, posting reels, or pacing a friend.
But who are these runners?
And what’s the idea behind the newly minted SingleTrack Team?
Joe Dorph, SingleTrack Events Course Director, says the concept had been bubbling away for years.
“We’re huge fans of trail running – obviously – and always loved the idea of having a trail team; something that could both build hype around our events and spotlight a diverse range of runners in the community,” he explains.
More than just marketing, the team is about storytelling.
“There are so many incredible runners out there, especially in Australia where trail running is still finding its broader voice,” he continues.
“We wanted to create a platform where different people could share their journey, bring others into the sport, and help trail running grow.”
One key feature of the team is its dual structure – half the athletes are under the age of 23, and half are more experienced runners with a few extra years behind them. All acting as both mentors and representatives.
The goal? To create space for emerging talent and bring others into the fold.
“Trail running is still a 25-plus kind of sport,” Joe notes.
“But there are younger runners who want to get involved – it’s just hard. It can be expensive, and the entry point isn’t always clear. So we split the team to give the younger crew that platform, and also to show what’s possible if they stick with it.”
It worked. Applications to become a SingleTrack Team ambassador opened in early 2024, and within two weeks, more than 210 detailed submissions rolled in – but it wasn’t just about providing a name and email.
“We asked about their passions, running goals, what they bring to the community, and the quality blew us away,” Joe reveals, and to ensure fairness, he handed the shortlisting over to trail community stalwart Kate Avery.
“I knew too many people. I’d have picked everyone,” he admits.
“Kate did an incredible job narrowing it down, and in the end, we selected 14 runners, not 12 like we’d planned, because we just couldn’t leave two of them out.”
What The Team Does
Despite what you might expect, there’s no requirement for a huge social media following. In fact, two of the runners created Instagram accounts only after making the team.
What’s more important is showing up – online and in person.
“Each team member is expected to race at three of our four events,” Joe says.
“Or if they’re injured, just be there in kit, helping out, representing the vibe. They’ve all got a little thing going on (with socials and what not), and that’s what makes the team special.”
Each member shares the Single Track spirit throughout the year, whether that’s through regular posts, community involvement, or just being active in the scene.
Members receive free race entries, a team kit made in collaboration with Fractel, shoes from Asics, nutrition support from Pure Sports Nutrition, and a few more perks. “But mostly, they get a platform,” Joe says.
“A chance to be seen and supported, and to inspire others.”
Mad Dawg On The Trails
At just 22yo, Maddie O’Donnell is already making trail waves, and not just for her high-octane pace.
Based in the Blue Mountains, Maddie is one of the 2025 SingleTrack Team ambassadors, and she brings with her the kind of energy you can’t manufacture: raw, real, and full of gratitude.
Though she’s new to trail running, only transitioning into the sport at the tail end of 2023, Maddie’s athletic roots run deep. Her background in netball, touch football and track (200m and 400m) has given her an edge in shorter trail distances, where she can lean into her natural speed and explosive power.
“I love the 20km distance because it’s full gas from the start,” she says.
“Coming from a track background, I’ve always been used to switching on those fast-twitch fibres straight away. Those close to me call me ‘Mad Dawg,’ and I think that sums up the turbo energy the shorter distances allow you to bring on the trails.”
But behind the grit is also a genuine desire to connect, share and uplift others – values that made her a natural fit for the Single Track ambassador program.
“SingleTrack is more than just an event, it’s a community,” she explains.
“It’s built on fun, connection, and the spectacular trails Australia has to offer. While running can often feel like a solo sport, I wanted to be part of a team I’d be proud to represent – and for me, that’s SingleTrack.
“There’s a sense of freedom, a deep exhale, and a pause from the chaos of everyday life. Being out on the trails takes you to places, both physically and mentally, that shift something in you. That’s the experience I want to share with others.”
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Maddie’s passion for inclusivity stems from personal experience. With her track experience, she immediately noticed how different the trail scene felt – more welcoming, more connected, more rooted in nature and community.
She’s committed to helping new runners feel that too, particularly those who might not see themselves reflected in the sport yet.
“When I found out I’d made the team, I just sat in my car and cried,” Maddie admits.
“I was on a dirt road heading to my first race of the year, and it was this moment of deep gratitude. SingleTrack’s support has already helped me dream bigger. I’ve now signed up for my first marathon trail distance.”
Her plan for the year? Say yes to everything. Volunteer, race hard, show up for others, and continue to be a part of the fabric of this growing movement.
“I truly wouldn’t be who I am today without the team at SingleTrack, and for that, I’m beyond grateful.”
Doubt, Dirt & Doctorates
When Andy Zhang talks about trail running, he doesn’t just describe races. He describes a philosophy.
At 27, the Melbourne-based runner has already clocked up six years in the sport, shifting quickly from a spontaneous road marathon challenge to taking on some of the biggest ultras in Australia.
“I started running in 2019 when a mate challenged me to run a marathon in 99 days,” Andy recalls.
“But it wasn’t until 2020 that I discovered trail running, signing up for the 50km Archie hosted by Hut2Hut. It was jarring and painful and I was wildly underprepared, but I was hooked.”
Since that first brutal wake-up call, Andy hasn’t looked back – gone back to the roads (love that!).
Today, he’s a proud member of the 2025 SingleTrack Team, drawn in by the events’ stunning courses and standout community spirit.
“My first SingleTrack event was Buffalo Stampede in 2023, and what stuck with me was the aid stations,” he explains.
“They were world class. But more than that, the volunteers were just full of love. That’s what makes these races different. You feel it out there.”
Andy’s passion for trail running is deeply personal, but it’s also something he feels compelled to share.
“There’s something really special about this sport; it’s you versus the trail,” he reveals.
“The terrain brings out doubt and struggle, but the people around you pull you through it. That duality, of solitude and support, is what I want others to experience.”
A lover of long days on foot, Andy gravitates to the 100km distance.
“It’s the ultimate day of adventure,” he shares enthusiastically.
“You’re guaranteed highs, lows, and a big dinner at the end of it.
“But I’ve been edging toward 100 milers over the past two years too. They bring new challenges, like sleep deprivation and proper fuelling, which keep me learning.”
The community spirit is part of what excites Andy most about the ambassador role.
“It’s still the best bit of news I’ve had all year – even trumping the submission of my PhD thesis and closing off nine years at uni,” he laughs.
“Being part of the SingleTrack Team means I get to give back, help out, and keep learning.
“And I’m just stoked to be part of it.”
More Than A Brand Play
It’s clear the initiative isn’t just about exposure for SingleTrack – it’s about cultivating the kind of culture that is valued by trail runners everywhere.
With the plan being to select a new team each year, initiatives like this are doing more than filling start lines. They’re amplifying stories and showing what’s possible when people feel seen and supported.
By blending energy and grit in individuals’ personalities, and competition with connection, the ambassador program is creating a ripple effect that goes beyond any finish line.
On these trails, under these trees, surrounded by this wild and welcoming tribe, this is where the magic happens.
And for the crew at SingleTrack, this is just the beginning.
Insider Knowledge
Kate Dzienis is your TRM editor and thrives on singletrack, strong coffee, and stories that go the distance. When she’s not wrangling words, she’s dreaming up new trail adventures – sometimes mid-run, sometimes mid-sentence. Fuelled by endurance and espresso, she’s here to keep your trail stoke high and your reading pace steady.
