Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running podcast artwork

PODCAST · sports

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running is a storytelling podcast for ultra runners who love this sport deeply, the iconic races, the legendary athletes, the gear, and the culture that makes all of it worth caring about.Hosted by Josh Rosenthal, founder of Borderlands Trail Running, this show exists to collect the ultra running stories that define the sport, from spending a day at Laz Lake's home to deep conversations with Scott Jurek, Dean Karnazes, Camille Herron, and the everyday runners doing extraordinary things out on the trails.This podcast covers the full world of ultra and trail running: race coverage and analysis of marquee events including Western States Endurance Run and UTMB, honest trail running shoes reviews and ultra running gear breakdowns from someone who has tested 44 pairs over 6,000 miles, and big conversations about where the sport is headed, including what dirtbag runners bring to a sport that's growing fast.This show gives ultra runners the stories, perspectives,

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Jun 12, 2026 · Source feed

  1. 306

    Karl Meltzer | Speedgoat, UTMB, and Trail Running’s Boom

    Trail running has exploded into a global business, and Karl Meltzer somehow ended up at the center of it. HOKA turned his Speedgoat nickname into one of trail running’s defining shoes, Red Bull paid him to chase the Appalachian Trail record, and UTMB eventually bought the race he created.Karl came up when ultrarunning was tiny and has watched the money, brands, athletes, and races transform around him. Josh and Karl talk about the strange experience of becoming valuable to an industry that barely existed when he started, selling Speedgoat to UTMB, his relationship with HOKA, and what someone who has lived through the entire boom thinks about where trail running goes from here.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Resources / LinksSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races Borderlands.ccLa French TrailRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  2. 305

    Harvey Lewis | The Mind Behind the Ultras

    Ultrarunning eventually becomes a mental problem. The body hurts, the race stops going to plan, and the question becomes what the best ultrarunners understand about continuing when quitting makes sense.Harvey Lewis has spent 30 years figuring that out. In part two of our conversation in Ohio, we get into the mental strategies behind Backyard Ultra, why different races require different mindsets, the failures that changed how Harvey competes, and what decades of Badwater, journey runs, and 200-milers have taught him about going farther than he thought possible.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Thumbnail photo by Romain MayambiTopics / Timestamps00:00 Harvey Lewis Intro01:15 The Mental Game of Ultrarunning10:47 Learning How Not to Quit14:06 Different Mindsets for Different Races16:55 Pilgrimages and Journey Runs23:31 What Failure Taught Harvey Lewis30:33 What the Best Ultrarunners UnderstandResources / LinksSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races Borderlands.ccHigh TonesRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  3. 304

    Harvey Lewis | The Man Behind the Ultras

    Harvey Lewis is one of ultrarunning’s most accomplished endurance athletes, but the more interesting question might be how a high school civics teacher from Ohio became capable of doing any of this. Badwater, Backyard Ultras, Barkley, 250-mile runs. Harvey has built an extraordinary career without making running his entire life.I spent a morning with Harvey at his home in Ohio, days before his 16th consecutive Badwater, trying to understand what makes Harvey Harvey. We talk about the dreamer and engineer he inherited from his parents, the teachers who changed his life, how running and teaching grew together, and why the hardest races have become something closer to pilgrimages.The conversation ends somewhere more personal, with Harvey remembering the person he still imagines waiting for him when things get hard.Thumbnail photo by Romain MayambiPlease give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Topics / Timestamps2:17 Harvey Lewis' Origins6:33 Harvey Lewis' Parents: The Dreamer and the Engineer18:39 Running and Teaching30:59 Running as PilgrimageResources / LinksTINAR Race Series | RegisterBorderlands.ccLa French TrailSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  4. 303

    Ciele Athletics and the Rise of Running Culture

    Ciele helped change what running looked like, but the more interesting story is what sat underneath the aesthetic. This episode is for runners curious about how a hat brand became part of running culture without losing the product discipline that made it credible in the first place.What began as a film about Ciele turned into a deeper look at the rise of running as lifestyle, the influence of skate and snow culture, and the unreleased Miles hat that existed before Ciele had its name. Along the way, a portrait emerges of a brand whose visual identity was copied everywhere, while the craft, function, and ethos behind it were much harder to replicate.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Resources / LinksWatch the Ciele doc on YouTubeJosh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  5. 302

    Satisfy x Adidas: Who Won the Circle Pit Backlash?

    The Satisfy x Adidas collaboration became one of the loudest moments in running, but almost none of the conversation was about the shoe. It became a fight over price, fashion, authenticity, and what running culture is supposed to protect.Josh and Inky Steve look at what the collaboration actually did, why Adidas seemed to gain all the upside while Satisfy absorbed the backlash, and what the circle pit revealed about how tribal running has become.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Resources / LinksBorderlands.ccLa French TrailSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  6. 301

    Western States 2026 Analysis | 10 Things I Couldn't Stop Thinking About

    Western States 2026 is over. The course records have been set, the winners crowned, and the internet has already moved on. This isn't another race recap. It's a cultural breakdown of what Western States revealed about trail running, its media, and where the sport is headed next.From Dylan Bowman becoming the voice of trail running, to Hans Troyer's fearless pacing, to why Thomas Cardin exposed a storytelling gap, Josh shares the ten ideas he couldn't stop thinking about after the biggest weekend in trail running. Along the way, he asks whether Western States has outgrown its broadcast and why the next frontier isn't better cameras, but better context.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Topics / Timestamps01:05 Dylan Bowman is the Voice of Trail Running/Racing04:10 The Broadcast Knows Where Everyone Is09:05 We Don't Care About Places, We Care About Stories11:38 We Interviewed the Wrong People16:14 Whose Job is it to Find Tomorrow's Stories?20:21 Hans is the Rabbit I Was Asking For21:53 American Men Ran it Like Old Days at UTMB22:46 The Race has Outgrown the Broadcast26:23 The Next FrontierResources / Links8 Bit Trail RunningBorderlands.ccSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  7. 300

    Trail Running Culture Doesn't Scale | Bob Crowley's Response

    Western States and UTMB are often framed as opposite visions for the future of trail running. One protects through limits. The other protects through growth. But after publishing an episode on that tension, I received an unexpected response from Bob Crowley, former President of the International Trail Running Association (ITRA).Bob argues that both sides may be focused on the wrong thing. What follows is a conversation about culture, stewardship, local races, and whether the values that built trail running can survive success. Somewhere along the way, the debate stops being about Western States and UTMB and becomes something much bigger.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Resources / LinksWestern States Wants to Protect, UTMB Wants to GrowBob's Full Op-edBorderlands.ccLa French TrailRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  8. 299

    Western States Wants to Protect, UTMB Wants to Grow

    Western States and UTMB have become the two most influential institutions in trail running, but beneath the debate over lotteries, race series, and growth is a deeper question: when something becomes successful, how do you protect it?Josh explores why UTMB believes trail running is important enough to scale globally while Western States believes it's important enough not to. Along the way, he examines scarcity, culture, the hidden cost of success, and whether the thing worth protecting was ever the race itself.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Topics / Timestamps01:33 Two Philosophies of Trail Running03:19 Is Growth in Trail Running Corruption?06:13 The Scale Problem in Trail Running11:06 What Cultre are We Protecting in Trail Running?15:50 The Supply Chain of Trail Running CultureResources / Links8 Bit Trail RunningJosh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  9. 298

    Why Western States is America's Most Important Race | More than a Run

    Western States 100 occupies a different place in trail running than almost any other race. Months before the starting gun, runners and fans are already studying the field, imagining the canyons, debating contenders, and wondering what story will emerge from Auburn.This episode explores why Western States feels bigger than a race. From Jim Walmsley and Kilian Jornet to Wendell Robie, Rucky Chucky, and the old buckle holders still working aid stations, Josh makes the case that Western States belongs in the same conversation as The Masters and the Kentucky Derby.Not because of the sport, but because of what happens when greatness, history, place, and uncertainty all meet in the same event.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Topics / Timestamps01:54 Elite Runners vs 'Participation Runners'08:05 The Course as Character11:14 The Importance of The Course13:54 The Importance of Rucky Chucky16:12 The Dual Nature of the Race19:58 The Spirit of American Trail Running22:09 The Unfolding Drama of Race DayResources / Links2026 WSER Entrants ListLive on Course - LoC by BorderlandsBorderlands.ccLa French TrailRelated EpisodesTrail Running Loves Winners, Does it Love Competitors?Ultra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  10. 297

    Why Trail Running Hides Competition

    Trail running culture loves winners. That's obvious. The sport builds documentaries about them, fills Instagram feeds with them, and spends months debating who will win Western States. But the more Josh thinks about it, the more he wonders whether trail running is actually comfortable with the competitive mindset that creates those winners in the first place.As Western States season begins, this conversation explores the difference between the participation version of trail running and the elite version, why those two worlds often get conflated, and what we miss when we use the values of one to understand the athletes competing in the other.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Topics / Timestamps00:00 Two Sports Sharing One Start Line02:51 The Values That Make Champions05:49 Elite, Professional, and Why It Matters08:38 What Trail Running Rewards11:26 Telling an Inward Story About an Outward Competition14:22 Do We Actually Want Competitors?Resources / LinksBorderlands.ccSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races Josh Rosenthal on IGRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  11. 296

    What Happens When Running Becomes Your Job? | Jacob Puzey

    Professional running can quietly turn into pressure, performance, sponsorship obligations, and constant visibility. This episode with Jacob Puzey is for runners who have felt burnout creeping into the thing they once loved and want to rediscover simplicity, rhythm, and freedom in running again.After twenty years as a professional runner, coach, race director, and sponsored athlete, Jacob reflects on what happened when the pressure finally disappeared. What starts as a conversation about road running slowly becomes something much deeper about identity, aging, social media, routine, and why signing up for hard things still matters even after competition stops mattering.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Topics / Timestamps00:43 Rediscovering the Joy of Running07:41 The Journey Back to Running11:39 The Transition from Competition to Personal Growth14:50 The Journey to Scholarship and Running19:20 The Importance of Commitment in RunningResources / LinksSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races Josh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  12. 295

    The Race That Makes Trail Running Real

    Trail running usually becomes real for people at a local ultra, not while watching UTMB or Western States online. The parking lot at 5am with 53 runners, one exhausted race director, and volunteers giving up their Saturday to help strangers keep moving is still the clearest entry point into the sport. This episode is for the runners who believe the soul of trail running still lives there.Josh explores why the local 50K may be the most important layer in trail running, how participation precedes fandom in ultra culture, why authenticity in trail running still feels earned instead of performed, and why the small grassroots races that built the sport are becoming increasingly fragile in the modern era of spectacle, prestige, and professionalization.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Topics / Timestamps02:52 The Turning Point of the Race03:57 The Ecosystem of Trail Running07:45 The Local Ultra: An Introduction to Trail Running Culture11:22 The Challenges of Local Trail Races18:00 The Importance of Local Races in Trail RunningResources / LinksSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races Josh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  13. 294

    What SATISFY Reveals About Trail Running

    Trail running culture melted down this weekend after a Satisfy x Adidas event triggered accusations of cringe, elitism, rich-kid cosplay, and the death of authenticity. But the backlash revealed something much deeper about where trail running is headed and why so many runners reacted emotionally to it.In this episode, Josh explores why the footage felt so disconnected online, why Satisfy exposes contradictions already present inside trail running, and how the sport may already be transforming into something larger than athletics alone. From Cocodona and expensive race culture to meme accounts, identity signaling, and the rise of trail running media, this conversation is about the growing tension between authenticity, aesthetics, status, and culture inside modern trail running.This one’s for the trail runners trying to understand what the sport is becoming and why that question suddenly feels so uncomfortable.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Topics / Timestamps00:00Resources / LinksSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races Josh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  14. 293

    Can Trail Running Stay Human?

    Trail running is getting bigger fast. Bigger races, bigger brands, bigger media, and more money entering the sport every year. What happens to trail running culture as all of that growth accelerates? And will the human side of trail running we all love survive?Recorded in Stockholm at Klättermusen headquarters, Josh sits down with Gonz Ferrero, CEO of Klättermusen, and Billy White, founder of Sörmlands 100, to talk about UTMB, independent trail races, elite sport versus dirtbag culture, why trail running still feels different from road running, and who actually gets to shape what the sport becomes from here.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Topics / Timestamps00:05 The Growth of Trail Running00:24 The Evolution of Trail Running13:19 The Personal Connection to Trail Running33:33 The Diverging Paths of Trail Running37:38 The Future of Trail Running: Balancing Elite and Everyday ExperiencesResources / LinksKlattermusen Sormlands Trail RaceSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races Josh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningUltra Runners Need More Than Normal LifeWhy Running Changes You with Raz RaufPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  15. 292

    Can Trail Running Handle Growth?

    Cocodona 250 exposed something trail running still doesn’t totally want to admit: the audience is already here, but the fan experience still hasn’t caught up. After spending more than 13 hours inside the livestream tracking viewer behavior in real time, Josh breaks down why thousands of people kept tuning in while constantly disconnecting from the coverage itself.This conversation goes deep on audience churn, race orientation, commentary drift, storytelling, and why trail running media still relies too heavily on goodwill from diehard fans. Not from the outside looking in, but from someone who desperately wants this sport to become easier to share with the people around him.This one’s for trail runners, ultra fans, and anyone who wants the viewing experience to evolve alongside the sport itself.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.If you’re new to Borderlands, start here.Resources / LinksSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races Josh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on Substack

  16. 291

    Why Ultrarunners Keep Going When Their Body Says Stop | Matt Johnson

    Why do some people keep going when everything says stop? If you’ve ever hit a breaking point in endurance sports and wondered what actually determines whether you quit or keep moving, this conversation is for you. This episode explores the real mechanics of the ultrarunning mindset, beyond training or toughness.Matt Johnson has spent a lot of time at that edge, where the body is failing and the decision gets simple but brutal. Instead of motivation, this conversation gets into what actually happens in that moment, the thoughts, patterns, and behaviors that allow someone to keep going when stopping feels inevitable.This one’s for runners and endurance athletes trying to understand what really happens at their limit. Follow the show for more conversations like this.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Resources / LinksSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races Josh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on SubstackListen on any podcast platformBelong one Wylder, our community layer - iOS or AndroidMore at borderlands.cc

  17. 290

    How People Become Ultrarunners (No Clear Path)

    Nobody plans to become an ultra runner. There’s no clear path into the sport, no obvious starting point, and most people don’t grow up anywhere near it. So how do people actually find their way here?In this conversation, Josh sits down with Emory Atterberry, founder of Hyperlyte Liquid Performance, and rising ultrarunner Cade Michael to explore how three people from the same unlikely place all ended up in the sport. What emerges is a deeper look at rebellion, isolation, and why some people feel pulled toward something harder.This one’s for anyone trying to understand where ultrarunners really come from. Subscribe for more conversations that go deeper into the culture of the sport.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Topics / Timestamps00:00 The Journey to Becoming an Ultramarunner01:34 The Journey to Ultrarunning12:55 The Spirit of West Texas15:58 Transitioning from Football to Ultra Running25:16 The Mosaic of Inspiration in Running33:12 The Journey to Ultrarunning: Growth and TransformationResources / LinksHyperlyte Liquid PerformanceSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races - May 30Josh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on SubstackListen on any podcast platformBelong one Wylder, our community layer - iOS or AndroidMore at borderlands.cc

  18. 289

    The Problem With Professional Trail and Ultra Running

    Trail running is growing fast, but is it actually scaling? If you’ve ever felt like the sport looks bigger than it is, or struggled to follow it as a fan, this episode breaks down why. This is for runners and industry insiders trying to understand what’s really happening beneath the surface of trail running’s growth.Josh unpacks the difference between participation and fandom, why brand investment is propping up the pro layer, and what’s missing for the sport to become something people actually follow. Western States and UTMB become the proving ground for a bigger question that could define the future of trail running.This one’s for the runners who love the sport and want to understand where it’s actually headed.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Topics / Timestamps00:11 - The Illusion of Growth in Trail Running02:05 - Understanding the Growth of Trail Running03:33 - The Emergence of Fandom in Sports06:58 - The Disconnect Between Fans and Athletes08:18 - The Evolution of Running Culture10:38 - The Importance of Fandom in SportsResources / LinksSalt Lake Foothills Trail Races Josh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningWhy Trail Running Feels Like Skateboarding but Isn'tPresented by Kiprun.----Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.Watch on YouTubeRead on SubstackListen on any podcast platformBelong one Wylder, our community layer - iOS or AndroidMore at borderlands.cc

  19. 288

    Why Running Changes You (It’s Not Just Fitness) with Raz Rauf

    Trail running and running culture go beyond training plans, races, and performance. Raziq Rauf explains why running isn’t just a sport, but a reflection of identity, place, community, and modern running culture.Raziq is the author of This Is Running and writes the newsletter Running Sucks. In this episode, we talk about running as culture, not just competition: place, community, creativity, solitude, fashion, consumerism, and why a run can change the person who started it. We also get into Haruki Murakami, narrative writing, run clubs, The Speed Project, and the strange modern shift from running as a sport to running as a lifestyle.This episode is for runners who care about the meaning of the sport, not just the metrics.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Topics / Timestamps00:00 - The Deeper Meaning of Running01:12 - The Meaning of Running15:19 - The Evolution of Running Culture16:43 - Shifting Perspectives on Running Culture25:02 - Running as a Radical Act30:50 - The Intersection of Running and Self-Improvement43:01 - Exploring Creativity in Running46:05 - The Solitude of Running and CreativityResources / LinksRaz Rauf on IGRunning SucksThis Is Running, Raz's new bookThumbnail photo by Carly PalmourJosh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningWhy Trail Running Isn't SkateboardingPresented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  20. 287

    A Risk Most Running Brands Wouldn’t Take

    Kiprun used to feel like an entry-level running brand, not one serious runners would put in the same conversation as the best trail running shoes in the sport. If you’re curious how a brand changes that perception and what it looks like when a running company genuinely reinvents itself this episode is for you.Josh sits down with Inky Steve to break down the shift they’re seeing at Kiprun through the Kipsummit Max, Kipsummit Race, and the broader portfolio now taking shape under Decathlon. They get into stigma, design, price, performance, and why this feels less like a one-off good shoe and more like a brand returning with a completely different level of intent.This one’s for runners who care about shoes, design, and where the culture is moving.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Topics / Timestamps00:00 - The Rise of Kiprun04:33 - The Transformation of Kiprun Shoes09:37 - The Evolution of Trail Running Shoes15:27 - Running Shoes and Innovations18:58 - Kiprun's Kipsummit Race Shoe21:06 - The Evolution of Trail Running ShoesResources / LinksKiprun Kipsummit RaceKiprun Kipsummit MaxJosh Rosenthal on IGBorderlands.ccLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhateverPresented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  21. 286

    Ultra Running Exposes Who You Really Are (wtih Mike Kratzer)

    Ultra running reveals what happens when race plans fail, training falls apart, and things don’t go the way we want. Running helps strip away all the things we distract ourselves with and forces us to stand face to face with them.In this conversation with Mike Kratzer, a former DJ turned runner, we explore what happens when there’s nothing left to hide. From quitting drinking without rock bottom to rejecting the sameness of modern running culture, this is about what running reveals when you stop trying to be someone and just are.This one’s for runners who enjoy running culture and thinking about running on a deeper level beyond performance.Listen, and if this resonates, share it with someone who needs it.Presented by Kiprun.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Topics / Timestamps00:15 - Exploring the Essence of Running06:07 - The Transition from Music to Running11:18 - The Decision to Quit Drinking23:26 - Exploring Influencers and Individuality in Running31:36 - The Evolution of Running and CreativityResources / LinksThe confusing case of Camille Herron’s alleged Wikipedia editsBorderlands.ccMike Kratzer on IGJosh Rosenthal on IGLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhateverRelated EpisodesUltra Running isn't Just RunningMike Kratzer + Tom Reynolds at UTMB20 Minutes with Mike KratzerNils Arend, TSP Founder----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  22. 285

    Why People Run 100 Miles (with Billy Yang)

    Why do people run 100 miles and keep coming back to ultra running even after it hurts, slows them down, and offers no obvious reward? If you’ve ever been curious about ultra running or felt the pull toward doing something hard without fully understanding why, this conversation is for you.In this episode, Billy Yang helps unpack what draws people into ultra running and what they’re actually searching for out there. It’s less about racing and more about identity, suffering, and the deeper reasons people choose to keep going.For runners and anyone trying to understand why we choose hard things.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Topics / Timestamps00:00 Why Would ANYONE Run 100 Miles05:55 The Journey of the Soul in Ultra Running09:01 The Power of Storytelling in Sports16:08 Exploring the Stories Behind the Sport23:02 Why Do We Keep Going Back to the 100 Mile Starting Line28:11 Reframing Your 'Why'30:30 Ultra Running is the Great EqualizerResources / LinksThe Why by Billy Yang"Nike Boys" DocI Finally Conquered 100 MilesRelated EpisodesNils Arend, TSP FounderScott Jurek, Has Ultra Running Become too Polished?Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  23. 284

    Why Trail Running Feels Like Skateboarding but Isn't

    Trail running culture is starting to look a lot like skateboarding—crews, aesthetics, a more raw identity.But if you’ve ever wondered whether that comparison actually holds up, this episode breaks it down.There’s a reason the connection feels right—and a deeper reason it might not be. This isn’t about dismissing what’s happening in running, but trying to understand what it actually is.This episode is for runners who care about the culture of the sport, not just the miles.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.Topics / Timestamps1:20 Culture and Identity in Trail Running4:19 The Shift from Results to Experience06:41 The Intersection of Trail Running and Authority10:21 The Intersection of Skate Culture and Trail RunningResources / LinksTommie Runz | 5 LoopsSLC PUNKRelated EpisodesIs Ultrarunning Losing Its Charm?Is Ultrarunning Changing?----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  24. 283

    How Do You Rebuild a Life? Tommie Runz on Sobriety, Loss, and Running

    Many runners come to ultrarunning through performance, but what happens when running comes after everything else falls apart? This episode explores how sobriety, loss, and identity shape the path into ultrarunning and what it actually looks like to rebuild a life from the ground up.Josh sits down with Tommie Runz to trace the arc from heavy drinking and personal collapse to running across the desert from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and eventually into ultrarunning. The conversation moves through early sobriety, community, and the tension between commitment and loss, including missing his best friend’s funeral during that run revealing how change actually happens over time.For runners interested in the deeper reasons people come to the sport. Follow the show for more conversations like this.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.Topics / TimestampsChapters00:00 The Impact of Personal Loss on Running01:19 The Relationship Between Sobriety and Running02:38 Community Support and Accountability05:43 Transitioning from Road to Trail Running06:54 The Experience of Running Javelina09:31 The Future of Tommy Runs16:25 The Journey to 100 Miles18:13 Cutting in Line: The Western States Experience18:15 Trail Running: A New Era of Competitors19:02 Training for the Mountains: Strategies and ChallengesResources / LinksTommie Runz on InstagramWestern States----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  25. 282

    Is Ultrarunning Losing Its Charm?

    Ultrarunning is evolving and growing fast and with that growth, ultra running feels different. Josh digs into how the sport is changing as it becomes more competitive, more visible, and more professional than ever before and asks whether something essential is being lost along the way. From duct-taped water bottles and campfire start lines to global races with thousands of runners and highly engineered gear, this episode explores what that shift really means. From the rise of new brands and technologies to the increasing professionalization of the sport, the conversation looks at what we’ve gained—and what we might be leaving behind. Not as something to judge, but as an evolution that is reshaping how ultrarunning feels, who it’s for, and where it’s going next. For runners thinking about how ultrarunning is changing and what that means for the future of trail running and ultrarunning.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Topics / Timestamps00:00 The Evolution of Ultra Running02:23 Defining the Charm of Ultra Running07:15 Ultrarunning is Really Two Sports in One11:54 Professionalization vs. Community17:00 The Standardization and Predictability of Ultra Races23:43 The Trade-Offs of Growth - we're losing somethingResources / LinksLa Barba CoffeeACGGorge WaterfallsMountain OutpostWestern StatesLeadvilleWasatch 100Barkley MarathonsEcoTrail ParisRelated EpisodesDirtbag Culture vs. Luxury Running BrandsHow Ciele Athletics Built a Running MovementPresented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  26. 281

    Is Ultrarunning Changing? Dirtbag Culture vs Luxury Running Brands

    If you've ever wondered why luxury running brands suddenly started appearing in ultrarunning—a sport built on dirtbag ethos, thrift-store gear, and anti-status culture—this episode explores the tension behind it.Josh unpacks where the idea of luxury collides with traditional ultrarunning culture, what actually defines a luxury running brand, and why some runners see it as evolution while others see it as a threat to the identity of the sport. At the center is a deeper question: is ultrarunning defined by what you wear, or simply by the act of running ultras?For trail and ultrarunners curious about how culture, identity, and authenticity are evolving in the sport.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Time Stamps01:14 Why does Luxury Feel Strange in Ultrarunning?03:45 What is Traditional Ultrarunning Culture?10:48 5 Markers of Traditional Ultrarunning Culture15:44 What even is luxury?20:40 What is a "luxury running brand"?24:25 Why do luxury running brands bother people?27:43 A Weird Moment in Luxury Ultrarunning31:45 The Old Guard of UltrarunningResources / Links[article] Why “Luxury Running Brands” Feels Strange In UltrarunningSatisfyCurrentlyRunning SucksRelated EpisodesSatisfy Cofounder, Brice PartoucheThe ROCKER Shoe is Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas----Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  27. 280

    44 Running Shoes Tested Over 6,000 Miles | Honest Verdicts

    If you've ever spent too much money on trail running shoes and wondered whether any of them are actually worth it, this episode is for you.I sit down with Inky Steve, a guy who has tracked 44 pairs of running shoes across 6,000 miles on Strava, to get his most honest verdicts on the shoes he'd recommend to his best friend, the ones he regrets, and the models brands should have never stopped making.For ultra runners and trail runners who take their gear seriously and want real talk and not sponsored opinions.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Links & ResourcesNike Next % from 2020Hoka Mafate Xgb ultrasSpeedlandPresented by Kiprun.Chapters02:06 Inky Steve's Top Five Running Shoes06:09 The Importance of Shoe Longevity and Functionality08:56 Brand Preferences and Shoe Mileage14:06 Lifestyle Shoes vs. Performance Shoes20:00 Honest Shoe Reviews24:15 Number One Trail Shoe Recommendation28:09 Hoka Mafate X Shoe for 50 Milers30:50 The Importance of Running Shoe Drainage34:09 The Ultra Running Experience38:50 The Impact of Shoe Design on Performance44:20 Shoe Iterations: What to Keep and What to Scrap----Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  28. 279

    10 Things I Love About Trail Running Right Now (Spring 2026)

    Trail running doesn’t have journlists and no one’s holding the sport accountable. I think memes might be the closest thing we’ve got and that’s just one of the 10 things on my mind this week..This week I pulled up a chair with a pile of gear and just talked: race season fandom, scrappy brands worth knowing, the shoes I'm fired up about right now, and the two-hour long run philosophy I'm using in training for Paris Eco Trail.For ultra runners and trail runners who are in it for the culture, the gear, and everything that makes this sport unlike anything else.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.01:23 ACTUAL trail running10:48 Ultratrail Race Season13:39 Running to "Overcome"16:23 Ciele Athletics18:39 Trail Shoe Design24:05 Scrappy Trail Running Brands30:37 Meme Culture35:08 Tommie Runz36:21 Taylor Bodin (dirt division) + Josh Bouton (meta endurance)38:27 Inky Steve, Stan Van Kemmel, Bryce Carlson, Sam LohsePresented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  29. 278

    How Ciele Athletics Built a Running Movement

    If you've ever wondered how running brands like Ciele Athletics reshaped the culture of modern running, this episode explores the moment performance gear started becoming identity.Jeremy Bresnen, cofounder of Ciele Athletics, walks through the brand’s origin story—from a hats-only startup in Montreal to one of the most recognizable names worn by runners across road, trail, and ultra distances. Along the way, he reflects on the shift that happened in the 2010s when people weren’t just running anymore—they were runners.For trail, road, and ultra runners curious about how modern running brands changed the culture of the sport.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  30. 277

    What It Takes to Break Records in Ultrarunning

    If you've ever wondered what it takes, mentally, physically, and emotionally, to push the human body further than most people can imagine, this one's for you.I sit down with Camille Herron, one of the most decorated ultra runners alive, to talk about what keeps her going when everything falls apart, the two-hour long run training philosophy that changed how she prepares for 100-mile races and beyond, and what it really felt like to set the 24-hour world record in Albi, France.For ultra runners who want to understand the mental game at the highest level and take something real back to their own training.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  31. 276

    Ultra Running Nutrition: An Elite Coach Reframes Fueling

    If you've ever wondered how ultra running nutrition changes when races stretch beyond a single day, this episode reframes race day nutrition to better address multi-day endurance races.Jesse Rich, nutritionist to elite ultrarunners, explains why traditional fueling advice breaks down during multi-day endurance efforts. As sleep deprivation, calorie deficits, and digestive fatigue accumulate, runners must think beyond electrolytes and gels and begin considering deeper nourishment ideas like how the body burns calories during mult-day events, how long it takes to absorb them again, and how sleep, recovery, and caffeine timing all affect performance.For ultrarunners preparing for multi-day races like The Speed Project or anyone curious about how the body fuels extreme endurance.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  32. 275

    Balancing Training, Work, and Ultrarunning at the Elite Level

    If you've been following the recent surge in ultra running records, Anne Flower’s name has suddenly been everywhere from the Leadville 100 course record to a 50-mile world record and a dominant win at Javelina Jundred.But her rise isn’t sudden. Anne has been grinding for years while building a demanding career as a physician in Colorado Springs. She reflects on her training philosophy, how she approaches ultrarunning through the lens of medicine, and what she’s thinking heading into Black Canyon 100K against one of the fastest fields in the sport.For trail and ultrarunners interested in elite training, racing strategy, and the mindset behind record-level performances.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  33. 274

    Francesco Puppi | Black Canyon and Running in America

    If you’ve been following ultra trail running, Francesco Puppi has long been a name serious fans recognize—but his 2025 wins at CCC, The Canyons 100K, and Chianti 47K put him squarely on the radar of the broader American audience.Puppi brings a rare mix of mountain strength and marathon speed, making him a contender whenever he toes the line. In this episode, we talk about his racing philosophy, why courses like Black Canyon suit his strengths despite their technical sections, and what it takes to consistently compete at the front of the sport’s biggest races.For trail and ultrarunning fans who want to understand how elite athletes approach racing at the highest level.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  34. 273

    Trail Running Culture: Alex Zono on Dirtbag Ultras and Design

    If you’ve noticed the rise of running apparel that reflects the culture and spirit of the sport—not just performance metrics—designer and runner Alex Zono is part of that shift.Recorded at Paris Fashion Week, Alex joins Josh Rosenthal and Sam Lohse to talk about designing gear for runners who love the sport from dirtbag trail adventures to racing at the front of events like Black Canyon 50K. He shares the mindset behind his “Running is My Best Friend” collection, how trail culture influences his design philosophy, and why he’s still planning to line up at Black Canyon with the intent to compete.For trail and ultrarunners interested in how running culture, design, and performance intersect.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  35. 272

    Why Running Is Becoming Part of Fashion Culture

    If you’ve noticed the rise of high-end running apparel, you may also feel the tension it creates inside a sport rooted in dirtbag simplicity.Recorded at Paris Fashion Week, Josh Rosenthal sits down with Inky Steve, Sam Lohse, Mike Kratzer, and Simon Freeman (co-founder of Like the Wind) to unpack why fashion-forward running brands are gaining momentum, what actually happens at Paris Fashion Week for runners, and why this unusual, decentralized B2B event matters more to the future of running culture than most runners realize.For trail and ultrarunners curious about how running apparel, culture, and the business of the sport are evolving.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  36. 271

    Running Industry: Why Trail Runners Should Be Paying Attention

    If you’ve ever wondered how the running industry shapes the gear ultrarunners depend on, this episode explores why paying attention to the business behind the sport actually matters.Paul Mellor, founder of creative agency Mellor&Smith and producer working on a new documentary about Barkley Marathons creator Lazarus Lake, joins Josh to unpack how outdoor brands compete for attention, why Nike’s return to trail running feels different this time, and what separates unforgettable running brands from those that quietly fade away.For trail and ultrarunners curious about how the running industry influences the gear, culture, and future of the sport.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  37. 270

    Ultra Running Influencers: The Love–Hate Reality

    If you spend time around ultra running, you’ve probably felt the tension around run influencers. They can be annoying in the moment—film crews at races, cameras everywhere—but they’re also inspiring thousands of people to start running, many of whom just needed that final push to move.Ultra runner and content creator Tommy Lewis joins Josh to talk about the strange reality of influencer culture in ultrarunning: being tired of the business of running while still deeply in love with the sport itself. From Western States to UTMB, they explore the balance between content, community, and the simple joy of running.For trail and ultrarunners curious about the role influencers play in growing the sport and shaping its culture.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  38. 269

    How Laz Lake Changed (and Preserves) Ultrarunning

    If you've ever crossed a finish line and felt something you couldn't quite name, or dropped out of a race and carried it with you longer than you expected, this conversation is going to land.In the final installment this trilogy with Laz, the two sit on Laz's porch in Tennessee working through three artifacts: a pack of cigarettes, Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea, and the question underneath all of it, whether the struggle itself is the victory, not the outcome.It's the most personal of the three conversations, and the most philosophical. It’s for ultra runners who think about this sport as something more than miles.Presented by Kiprun.Watch Part 1 and Part 2 of the Laz Lake Interviews.Links & ResourcesNotable Lazarus Lake-related docsthe FinisherThe Barkley Marathons | The Race that Eats its YoungJared Beasley + Laz Lake InterviewRelated EpisodesThe Last Rebel of Ultra Running | Lazarus LakeThe Future of Barkley Marathons | Lazarus Lake----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

  39. 268

    Inside the Barkley Marathons with Laz Lake

    Ultra running is professionalizing fast. Bigger prize money, more sponsors, and smoother finishes. Laz Lake is the counterbalance to all of it, and this conversation is about why that matters.In part two of this trilogy at Laz's Tennessee farm, the two go deep on what makes Laz unlike anyone else in the sport: untouched by modernization, unbothered by fame, charging $1.60 for race entry while the rest of the industry chases scale. Josh draws a line from Popcorn Sutton, the last Tennessee moonshiner, to the Donner Party, to Bigs Backyard Ultra, and somewhere in the middle of all of it, a portrait of Laz emerges that you won't find anywhere else.This one’s for the ultra runners who love the underground soul of this sport and don't want to see it disappear.Presented by Kiprun.----Listen to Scene One (the Races of Laz Lake) on Spotify or Apple or watch on YouTube.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

  40. 267

    What Barkley Marathons Reveals About Ultrarunning

    If you've ever wanted to understand how Lazarus Lake thinks, not just the Barkley Marathons legend, but the man behind every race he's ever designed, this is the episode you've been waiting for.Josh spent a day at Laz's home in Tennessee walking the trails of Big's Backyard Ultra and talking through his entire race catalog: Big's and Little's Backyard, the Barkley Marathons, the Fall Classic, Race for the Ages, the Idiot's Run, and more. What came out of it is a portrait of someone who believes that if no one can fail, no one can truly succeed.For ultra runners who follow the sport deeply and want to understand the mind that built it.Presented by Kiprun.With support from Like the Wind Magazine + Hyperlyte Liquid Performance.----Listen to Scene Two with Laz (the Last Rebel of Ultra Running) on Spotify or Apple or watch on YouTubeFor behind the scenes and uncut content from this interview, go to our Patreon.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

  41. 266

    Ultra Running with Dean Karnazes: Simplicity, Letterman and Legacy

    Ultra running has changed dramatically over the past few decades, but Dean Karnazes still believes the heart of the sport is simple. In this episode, Josh sits down with one of ultra running’s most recognizable figures to talk about the philosophy that’s guided him through decades of running: at the end of the day, it’s still just a pair of shoes and a place to run.Dean reflects on the impact running has had on his life and the lives of countless runners he’s inspired through his books, stories, and global advocacy for the sport. The conversation wanders through his unforgettable appearances on Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, and the ESPYs, while also exploring how ultra running has evolved—and why its rapid growth is ultimately a good thing for everyone who laces up.For runners who believe the simplest act—putting one foot in front of the other—can change everything.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Topics / Timestamps00:00 The Roots of an Ultra Runner 03:15 Conan O'brien appearance 05:02 Western States 09:34 Dean's Best WSER Finish 11:47 David Letterman appearance 16:43 The Next Quest: From Badwater to Everest 22:45 Promoting Sports Tourism in Greece 29:16 ESPY Award 31:59 Badwater: A Test of Endurance 33:57 The Dirtbag Spirit in Ultra Running 35:58 The Essence of Running and Its ImpactPresented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  42. 265

    Scott Jurek | Has Ultra Running Become Too Polished?

    Scott Jurek represents a generation of ultratrail runners who either had day jobs or were true dirtbag trail runners. Scott and Josh Rosenthal dive into the 'good old days' of trail running when a lot of the gear was DIY like punk rock or skateboarding. Presented by Kiprun.Scott Jurek and Y2KDIY: Ultrarunners, Punk Rock, and SkateboardingRunners have it easier with gear advancesAthlete mentality is shifting in a sterile directionMental resilience in ultra runningThe lasting bonds of competing in ultratrailThe commercialization of Ultratrail RunningDespite changes, the essence of running remains accessible to everyone.This conversation explores the evolution of ultra running, reflecting on personal experiences from the Y2K era to the present day. Josh Rosenthal and Scott Jurek discuss the changes in gear, the competitive landscape, and the importance of community within the sport. They emphasize the mental resilience required for ultra running and celebrate the friendships formed through shared experiences. Despite the commercialization of the sport, the essence of running remains accessible and fulfilling for all.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letter Wylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

  43. 264

    The Speed Project: The Underground Race Changing Running

    The Speed Project is one of the most unusual events in running—an unsanctioned, no-rules relay that sends teams roughly 340 miles from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (and now across Europe from Chamonix to Marseille). Josh sits down with founder Nils Arend on a rugby field in Albi, France at midnight to talk about how TSP began and why it has become something far bigger than a race.What started as an extreme endurance challenge through desert heat, sleepless nights, and relentless miles has evolved into a powerful community. The conversation explores the origin story of The Speed Project, the transformations it sparks in participants, and how this underground event created a culture and identity that exists outside the traditional ultrarunning world.For runners fascinated by the stories, people, and ideas pushing the edges of endurance.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Topics / Timestamps00:00 The Birth of The Speed Project 06:04 Creating Moments Through Running 12:04 The Role of a Curator in Running 19:02 No Rules: A New Approach to Running 25:05 Building a Community Around The Speed Project 32:38 The Evolution of The Speed Project 37:39 Navigating Challenges and Responsibilities 43:57 Nils Would Have Ended TSP without Scotty Crowe 45:57 The Influence of Daniel Dart from Time Again 56:05 Runner's World and TSP Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  44. 263

    The End of the Beginning for Borderlands Trail Running

    Monday, 22 Dec 2025 marks a new beginning for Borderlands' podcast presented by Kiprun.We've had a helluva a run and now I'm doubling down on the things I believe will take us to the next level. Tune in to find out.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

  45. 262

    300 Miles at 22 Weeks Pregnant: Allie Gibbons' Speed Project Atacama Story

    Ultra running rarely comes with ordinary stories, but Allie Gibbons’ recent season pushed the boundaries of what most people think is possible. In this episode, Josh sits down with Allie to talk about running nearly 300 miles across Chile’s Atacama Desert during The Speed Project while 22 weeks pregnant, where she not only finished but won as the first female.They discuss the physical and emotional realities of racing while pregnant, from monitoring health and managing risk to navigating the mental waves that come with multi-day efforts in extreme environments. Along the way, Allie reflects on racing the Bigfoot 200 at six weeks pregnant, her transition from road to trail running, and the community and competitive spirit that continue to draw athletes into the wild edges of ultra running.For runners fascinated by the limits of endurance and the stories that redefine them.Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.Presented by Kiprun.----Find us at Borderlands.cc and sign up for the newsletter.Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.And if you haven't checked out Wylder yet, it's worth a look. iOS or Android

  46. 261

    For DIE HARD Trail Running Shoe Fans

    Josh Rosenthal and Inky Steve explore the future of running gear, discussing innovations in shoe design, the impact of cultural elements like movies on running, and the competitive landscape of brands in the industry. [Presented by Kiprun]They share insights from the TRE event, highlight the rise of smaller brands, and reflect on their experiences with various running products, including the Naked belt. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community and personal preferences in the running world.Brands discussed:NordaKiprunSpeedlandNike / acgMerrellSalomonTantrumsSAYSKYMount to Coast----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letter Wylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

  47. 260

    Trail Runner-ish, Light the World through Running, & The Next Great French Running Brand

    I still consider myself a trail runner even though I never run on trails. I'm trail runner-ish. There are a lot of people bringing light into the world through running. Let's talk about a few of them - Tommy Lewis, Josh Lynott, Nils Arend, Dean Karnazes, and more.Presented by Kiprun.Yes, we're presented by Kiprun but I also think they are the next big running brand coming out of France. Salomon and Hoka both started here. If Kiprun build momentum and iterate/improve year after year on the portfolio they just released, they will be in the brass ring.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letter Wylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

  48. 259

    Was I Right About SATISFY? Aravaipa? | a Recap of 2025 Predictions

    At the beginning of 2025 did an episode where we looked at a bunch of brands and trends in trail running and evaluated if we were optimistic about their future (buy) or pessimistic (sell)[Presented by Kiprun]In this episode I review my predictions and assess if they were right or wrong on these topics: SatisfyAravaipaKetones----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letter Hyperlyte Hotline - RUNMORE649 (786.667.3649)Wylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026Presented by Kiprun.

  49. 258

    Running Recovery Slides & The Big Lebowski w/ Inky Steve

    The Dude Abides and would probably never wear trail running shoes. But we love this movie too much so Josh asked Inky, what shoes go best with The Big Lebowski? Slides. Super chill running recover slides.There's a boom in them right now. You see them popping up all over the place and there's actually some innovation happening.But at the end of the day, The Dude would wear the hell out of some recover slides and we have a blast exploring it.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letter Wylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

  50. 257

    Endurance is Punk Rock with Mike Herrera of MxPx

    Mike Herrera and MxPx have been playing for 30 years. I was there from the beginning so I was stoked to do this interview with an all time great and hero of mine.[Presented by Naked Sports Innovations]Mike knows a thing or two about endurance and keeping on when life and circumstances get you down.Enjoy.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letter Wylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

Type above to search every episode's transcript for a word or phrase. Matches are scoped to this podcast.

Searching…

We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.

No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.

Showing of matches

No topics indexed yet for this podcast.

Loading reviews...

ABOUT THIS SHOW

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running is a storytelling podcast for ultra runners who love this sport deeply, the iconic races, the legendary athletes, the gear, and the culture that makes all of it worth caring about.Hosted by Josh Rosenthal, founder of Borderlands Trail Running, this show exists to collect the ultra running stories that define the sport, from spending a day at Laz Lake's home to deep conversations with Scott Jurek, Dean Karnazes, Camille Herron, and the everyday runners doing extraordinary things out on the trails.This podcast covers the full world of ultra and trail running: race coverage and analysis of marquee events including Western States Endurance Run and UTMB, honest trail running shoes reviews and ultra running gear breakdowns from someone who has tested 44 pairs over 6,000 miles, and big conversations about where the sport is headed, including what dirtbag runners bring to a sport that's growing fast.This show gives ultra runners the stories, perspectives,

HOSTED BY

Josh Rosenthal | Ultra Runner

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running have?

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running about?

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running is a storytelling podcast for ultra runners who love this sport deeply, the iconic races, the legendary athletes, the gear, and the culture that makes all of it worth caring about.Hosted by Josh Rosenthal, founder of Borderlands Trail Running, this show exists to...

How often does Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running release new episodes?

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running?

You can listen to Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running?

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running is created and hosted by Josh Rosenthal | Ultra Runner.
URL copied to clipboard!