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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, and gear knowledge to go deeper into a sport they already love while celebrating what makes trail and ultra running unlike anything else.
We'll answer questions like:
- Who is Laz Lake, and why does everyone in ultra running revere him?
- What makes the Barkley Marathons the hardest race in the world?
- How does Western States Endurance Run work, and why is it so hard to get in?
- What are the best trail running shoes and ultra running gear right now?
- Who are the greatest ultra runners of all time?
- What does dirtbag running culture actually mean?
- How is ultra running changing, and is that a good thing?
- What does it take to run a 100 mile ultra marathon?
- What should ultra runners eat during training and on race day?
If you want the stories, the gear, and the culture that make ultra and trail running the most addictive sport on earth, you're in the right place.
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, and gear knowledge to go deeper into a sport they already love while celebrating what makes trail and ultra running unlike anything else.
We'll answer questions like:
- Who is Laz Lake, and why does everyone in ultra running revere him?
- What makes the Barkley Marathons the hardest race in the world?
- How does Western States Endurance Run work, and why is it so hard to get in?
- What are the best trail running shoes and ultra running gear right now?
- Who are the greatest ultra runners of all time?
- What does dirtbag running culture actually mean?
- How is ultra running changing, and is that a good thing?
- What does it take to run a 100 mile ultra marathon?
- What should ultra runners eat during training and on race day?
If you want the stories, the gear, and the culture that make ultra and trail running the most addictive sport on earth, you're in the right place.
289 Episodes
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
1If 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
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
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
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
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
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