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Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running

321 episodes — Page 1 of 7

Why the World’s Biggest Trail Race Happened in France

Aug 22, 202639 min

With Tara Dower | Built Different

Aug 20, 202640 min

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

Aug 17, 20261h 2m

Harvey Lewis | The Mind Behind the Ultras

Aug 13, 202639 min

Harvey Lewis | The Man Behind the Ultras

Aug 10, 202634 min

Ciele Athletics and the Rise of Running Culture

Aug 4, 202615 min

Satisfy x Adidas: Who Won the Circle Pit Backlash?

Jul 28, 202619 min

This is Trail Running Without Mountains.

Jul 21, 202631 min

What If Your Best Running Is Still Ahead?

Jul 16, 202622 min

They Refuse to Make Toy Shoes. | Inside HOKA's Culture Strategy

Jul 13, 202629 min

What is Borderlands Actually Building?

Jul 7, 202621 min

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

Jun 29, 202628 min

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

Jun 22, 202622 min

Western States Wants to Protect, UTMB Wants to Grow

Jun 19, 202617 min

Wasatch 100 & Bear 100: When Ultra Running Just Hurts

Jun 16, 202614 min

The Trail Running Sea of Sameness | Nike ACG, Nostalgia, and the Cost of Optimization

Jun 12, 202628 min

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

Jun 9, 202623 min

Trail Running Loves Winners. Does it Love Competitors?

Jun 4, 202617 min

He Was Paid to Run for 20 Years. Then Running Felt Free Again | Jacob Puzey

May 25, 202619 min

The Race That Built Trail Running Is Being Forgotten

May 21, 202618 min

What SATISFY Reveals About Trail Running

May 18, 20269 min

What is Trail Running Becoming?

May 12, 202645 min

Cocodona Has a Fan Problem

May 7, 202620 min

Is High-Carb Fueling Breaking Ultra Runners?

May 4, 202644 min

Ultrarunning and the Cure for Comfort

Apr 27, 202620 min

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

Apr 20, 202626 min

How People Become Ultrarunners (No Clear Path)

Apr 14, 202638 min

S1 Ep 292The 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

Apr 10, 202611 min

S1 Ep 291Why 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

Apr 8, 202649 min

S1 Ep 290The Reinvention of Kiprun

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

Apr 5, 202625 min

S1 Ep 289Ultra 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

Apr 1, 202635 min

S1 Ep 288Why 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

Mar 30, 202632 min

S1 Ep 287Why 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

Mar 27, 202610 min

S1 Ep 286How 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

Mar 23, 202621 min

S1 Ep 285Is 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

Mar 19, 202625 min

S1 Ep 284Is 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

Mar 13, 202633 min

S1 Ep 28344 Running Shoes Tested Over 6,000 Miles | Honest Verdicts

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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

Mar 9, 202647 min

S1 Ep 28210 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

Mar 2, 202643 min

S1 Ep 281How 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

Feb 24, 20261h 9m

S1 Ep 280What 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

Feb 19, 20261h 6m

S1 Ep 279Ultra 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

Feb 16, 202642 min

S1 Ep 278Balancing 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

Feb 12, 202645 min

S1 Ep 277Francesco 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

Feb 11, 202617 min

S1 Ep 276Trail 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

Feb 9, 202634 min

S1 Ep 275Why 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

Feb 6, 202638 min

S1 Ep 274Running 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

Feb 3, 202652 min

S1 Ep 273Ultra 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

Jan 29, 202657 min

S1 Ep 272How 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

Jan 26, 202636 min

S1 Ep 271Inside 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

Jan 19, 202658 min

S1 Ep 270What 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

Jan 13, 202659 min