Borderlands Trail (+ Ultra) Running

Jeremy Bresnen founded Ciele Athletics Inc./Ciele Athlétique Inc. with Mike Giles in 2014 in the now-great running city of Montreal. I started running around 2012 and clearly remember seeing Ciele on the shelf at Salt Lake Running Company circa 2015.I bought a hat almost instinctively and no doubt irresistibly.I wasn't sure I wanted to even run in it yet becuase I loved it so much and didn't want to ruin it from the 100 degree July days. Eventually I bought a second Ciele hat - one for running and one for around town.It was the first brand I wore while not running to signal to everyone that I was a runner. Ciele transcended any single type of running and permeated anywhere runners cared about performance and style - road, trail, and track from 5k to ultra distances.They emerged with a cohort of brands still going today like Tracksmith, Oiselle, Janji, and SATISFY. This co-hort of early 2010s brands were all seeing something similar - people were not simply running - they were runners.Jeremy Bresnen tells the story of Ciele while on a long walk with me from founding to today with thoughts on the future. From the days of hats-only to today where they create all sorts of running apparel and different styles of hats all built around performance first then style.Presented by Kiprun.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterHigh Tones Substack by Sam LohseWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

Camille Herron is an endurance and ultra running [world] Record Collector on the road, trail, and track.She's committed to pushing back the boundaries and guardrails put on women's sports with a list of accomplishments that should make anyone listen.Enjoy this conversation about Camille's great accomplishments with emphasis on Lululemon's 6 Day event, Spartathalon, Comrades, IAU Championships, and more.Some takeaways:Camille switched from road to trail + felt at homeShe sets mini goals during races to make it feel attainablePain perception [or lack thereof] is her superpowerShe caps long runs at two hours during trainingTraining should be tailored to individual needs[especially for neurodivergent athletes]The camaraderie in ultra running welcomes everyone.Spartathlon and Comrades connect runners to a rich history + heritageShe believes she has many record breaking years ahead of her - what are her goals?-Josh brings back the classic Borderlands [DFL Before DNF - iykyk] question for Camille - "how do you keep going when you want to quit?" No doubt in Camille's intense and rigorous endurance records she has wanted to quit but hasn't. So how does she keep going?-A few years ago she noticed that she could incredible race output from decreasing her long runs down to 2 hours max. She later found a French author and researcher who wrote a book as he chased the idea.After adopting it, Camille has enjoyed less injuries and an overall increase in performance.[Hosts note: Candidly, we set out to talk about the not-so-recent 'Wikipedia situtation' but as the conversation was going I decided to stay in the moment of celebrating an unbelievable career. I hope to have Camille on multiple times in the coming years where we can talk about this and so many other things important to her and ultra running.]Presented by Kiprun.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

In this episode we reframe endurance nutrition to thinking about endurance nourishment.In efforts under 24 hours, its reasonable to thinkg about it in simple terms of 'nutrition' but in these big multi-day ultra running efforts where you're sleep-deprived and putting enormous pressure on your system you have to think about nourishment. At some point you have to go beyond considering electorlytes and begin considering all the nutrients - fat, protien, etc.How many calories do we burn in a 100 miler?How many calories are our body burning in days following without effort?How efficiently are we absorbing calories after one day of consecutive endurance effort?Is there a connection between sleep and absorbing nutrition?When you are at a nutritional deficiency in a race, can you catch back up?Post-multi day run recover requires immense calories.Caffeine is useful only if strategically timed.This episode offer good advice for anyone running The Speed Project or any multi-day endurance race or run.Presented by Kiprun.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

There's no such thing as an overnight success but Anne Flower sure felt like it in the last year. She appeared virtually out of no where to snag the Leadville 100 course record from the great Anne Trason, set the 50 mile world record at Tunnel Hill, and get the overall Win at Javelina Jundred. But its not true. She's been running hard for a long time but her first passion has been in the drivers seat - her career as a physician in Colorado Springs. She's racing Black Canyon Ultras - 100k - to test herself against a super speedy field and she sat down to talk with Josh to talk shop about her career to this point and how she's thinking about BC specifically.Anne's insights on trainingAnne's insights on ultra running from a physician's perspectiveHer approach compared to David Roche's as the two NEW Leadville CR holdersHer thoughts on Black Canyon's lack of prize moneyHer fondness for Moab trail racingHer perspective as an elite runner and sponsorships while remaining hyperfocused on her non-running career.Presented by Kiprun.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

Francesco Puppi has been ultra trail running for a long time, but his 2025 wins at UTMB's CCC, The Canyons 100k, and Chianti 47k put him squarely on the radar of the average American fan.Anytime Francesco Puppi is in a race, he's a contender and one that the other contenders have to account for. The Black Canyon course suits his marathon speed even with its techincality. He wins big mountain races but is speedy when the course suits.No matter how the race shakes out, Francesco Puppi will make it fun for fans simply by bringing his gifts to the race and course. Presented by Kiprun.Hosted by Josh Rosenthal, founder of Borderlands Trail Running.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

Alex Zono designs running gear for anyone who truly digs running. He puts his heart and soul into it and its not necessarily optimized for a pace, but a mindset and spirit.But don't let that playful lightheartedness fool you, Alex Zono is going to run Black Canyon 50k with intent to finish on the leaderboard.Go see his apparel line and you'll feel the juxtaposition of a brand truly in its element at Paris Fashion Week and a runner truly in his element at Black Canyon 50k.In this episode, Alex sits down with Josh Rosenthal and Sam Lohse in Borderlands Studio at Paris Fashion Week to talk about his love American dirtbag ultra and trail running, design, and the world of Paris Fashion Week for runners."Running is My Best Friend" reference is from Alex Zono's collection.Presented by Kiprun.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

Josh Rosenthal, Inky Steve, Sam Lohse, Mike Kratzer, and Simon Freeman (co-founder of Like the Wind) sat down in the Borderlands Podcast Studio at Paris Fashion Week to talk about the purpose of PFW and why its important for runners to pay attention to it.You certianly don't have to, but if you're curious or care at all about what's happening with Running Apparel and Clothing, its a brilliant event. Its not for consumers though. It's a classic B2B event in random shops in the 3rd Arrondissement of Paris.There is no central hub telling you what shop is where. You only know where to go if you know where to go. Some brands post on social while others want to be 'found' more organically.It's all interesting. But also useful.Presented by Kiprun.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

Paul Mellor joins Josh on the show — founder of underdog-focused creative agency Mellor&Smith, executive producer and 4x BAFTA nominee on Boiling Point, and currently working on a fresh documentary about ultrarunning legend Lazarus Lake.We dive into why trail runners should care about the bigger outdoor industry, Nike's surprisingly humble return to trail running, what makes certain brands unforgettable (and why others fade into the background), and the power of standing out as an underdog.Presented by Kiprun.Paul Mellor is the founder of Mellor&Smith, a creative advertising agency that specializes in helping underdog outdoor brands — those not yet dominating their category — get noticed by the world. His clients include some of the biggest names in outdoor and adventure who are still fighting for pole position.Beyond advertising, Paul is an executive producer and four-time BAFTA nominee for the acclaimed film Boiling Point (yes, that intense one-take kitchen drama). He's currently deep into producing a new documentary on Lazarus Lake (Laz), the mythical creator of the Barkley Marathons and Big's Backyard Ultra — offering a perspective on Laz you've never seen before.Why trail runners and the trail community should pay attention to the wider outdoor industryNike's re-entry into the trail running space — why acg feels refreshingly humbleThe ingredients that make certain brands memorable in a crowded marketWhy some brands struggle to stand out and may never truly resonateThe mindset and creative approaches that help underdogs punch above their weight and get noticedA sneak peek into Paul's work on the upcoming Lazarus Lake documentary and what makes this take unique.Connect with Paul Mellor on LinkedInResources & Links:Nike ACGRaphaSatisfyThe Speed ProjectKantar Research — Insights on brand investment effectivenessPaul Dyson & 2009 + 2020 Media Study — On brand allocation and effective marketing levers

Tommy Lewis and Josh Rosenthal talk about how they're a bit tired with the business of running (content and everything else) but they share a continued commitment and fascination with running itself. Tommy is the final guest in our series celebrating those who bring light to the world through running. Others have included Laz Lake, Nils Arend, Scott Jurek, and Dean Karnazes.He's a content creator and influencer buildling communities around running sustainabily with a sense of purpose and joy. Presented by Kiprun.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

Lazarus Lake (Gary Cantrell) is the race director and creator of the Barley Marathons and Big's Backyard Ultra among others.In this interview, Josh pays homage to him with three artifacts designed to spur on conversation and attempt to explain more of who Laz Lake actually is.1. Cigarettes | Laz smokes Camel Yellows. We talk about his origins of smoking.2. LIke the Wind magazine | Mechanical watch companies navigated the quartz crisis, Like the Wind navigated the digital crises. Laz, like LtW and Blancpain, they never got sucked in to the crises and stayed convicted and committed to their way of doing things - untouched by modernization.3. Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway | Laz is like Santiago from the old man and the sea persistently and consistently pursuing value and validation in the struggle. Insodoing, he gives this gift to ultra runners by designing races that tease this out of every participant.Presented by Kiprun.Watch Part 1 and Part 2 of the Laz Lake Interviews.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

Gary Cantrell (aka Lazarus Lake) is the last rebel of ultra running.Watch our conversation on Youtube.We love the professionalization of trail running but we don't want it all to go that way. In order for that to be interesing, the world of underground ultra running has to live strong.In this episode, Josh works through the stories of Popcorn Sutton and Andy Payne with Laz.Popcorn Sutton was a moonshiner untouched by modernization. He stood in stark contrast to the Jack Daniels and Jim Beams of the world. They work to maximize revenue and total annual output where Popcorn kept doing things the same way.Andy Payne won the Bunion Derby in 1928 - a race across America with 275 participants. He also happened to be Laz's Dad's neighbor.Laz is a blend of the two figures with a rock and roll-type status preserving a type of heart of running all its own.Enjoy.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

Josh flew to Bell Buckle, TN to interview Lazarus Lake (aka Gary Cantrell) at his home and backdrop to Big's (and Little's) Backyard Ultra.There are three scenes to The Lazarus Lakes Interviews and in this first one they discuss the races. You all know about Barkleys Marathons and the Backyard Ultras but what about the other races like the Vol State 500k or the now deceased Idiot's Run? Or ARFTA (a race for the ages)?To anyone who knows of Laz Lake, you will not be surprised to learn that this interview was a wild ride in and of itself. He rarely speaks concretely, almost everything is metaphorical. And once you accept that you understand that he's rarely simply talking about a tree or a cave or Jesse James' gold.Josh went into this interview planning to uncover a PT Barnum type or an artist standing at a canvas. Instead, he found a scientist in a laboratory whose lab rats are actually ultrarunners.He's tinkering with variables looking to uncover elements of the human spirt on one hand and on the other, he's at face value.He's a country boy born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma and Tennessee.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

Dean Karnazes brings light to the world through running. Dean's books and myth motivated many to start running for the first time or pushed them to run further.He's been an amassador for running the world over and on a scale no other runner has enjoyed. In this episode we dive into his appearances on Conan O'briend, David Letterman, and the ESPYs. When he started running it was much simpler. It was really just a pair of shoes and a place to run. But that's not necessarily the good old days. Today there are more people running than ever. And because foundational he believes that running is a gift to all who do it, the growth in every aspect of the industry is net good. Presented by Kiprun.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

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

Nils Arend started The Speed Project and it continues to bring light into the world through running.[Presented by Kiprun]Josh and Nils sit on a Rugby Field in Albi, FR at midnight to talk about the origin story of TSP and what it means to so many.Yes, TSP is an ultrarunning event but its not an 'ultrarunning' event. Its not in the ultrarunning zeitgeist, its a zeitgeist all its own.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letterWylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

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

Allie Gibbons ran The Speed Project in the Atacama Desert while 22 weeks pregnant. Prior to that, she ran Bigfoot 200 in the Washington wilderness after just learning that she was pregnant. Presented by Kiprun.In this conversation, they discuss the challenges of ultra running, the unique experience of being pregnant during such a demanding race, and the mental and physical preparations required. Allie shares insights on health monitoring, the emotional waves experienced during long races, and the camaraderie found within the ultra running community. The conversation also touches on the transition from road to trail running and the competitive spirit that drives athletes in these extreme conditions.----Borderlands.cc | Podcast NetworkSign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letter Wylder is now available on iOS + Android.Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

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

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

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.