The Threshold Podcast

Garrett DuPont and Tanner Elmore
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Running
  • Weekly

The Threshold Podcast is a conversation about pushing limits and finding clarity. Hosted by Tanner Elmore and Garrett DuPont, the show explores what it really takes to chase big endurance goals while balancing family, work, and everything else life demands. Each episode dives into the mindset, strategy, preparation, gear, nutrition, and lessons that runners often have to learn the hard way. Welcome to The Threshold Podcast.

  1. 1d ago

    The Dan Camac Interview

    Dan Camac ran 87 yards and 362.5 miles at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships, becoming Australia's last runner standing and helping lead his country to second place in the world. Tanner and Garrett sit down with Dan to hear how he pulled off the biggest victory of his backyard career despite an injury scare and illness leading into the race, what happened during Australia's dramatic battle with Team USA, and why the experience meant far more to him than simply being the last runner standing. For much of the championship, Australia was leading the world. Then came the fourth night, when runners began dropping one after another and the team's commanding position suddenly became a fight for survival. Dan and Ben Nicholls were the final two Australians left. During yard 87, Ben told Dan he wasn't going to make it back. They shared a hug on the course before Dan continued alone, securing his first backyard victory in a moment that was as bittersweet as it was remarkable. Dan also reveals that he and Ben had discussed stopping early when it became clear how difficult it would be to hold off Team USA. His crew refused to let him give up without giving everything he had, reminding him of a written contract he had signed with himself before the race. It was one of several moments that reinforced just how much of his success belongs to the people around him, particularly his parents, who have supported and crewed him throughout his remarkable rise in the sport. The conversation also covers: Dan's progression from running a mile a day in 2019 to completing 93 yards at Big's Backyard Ultra in 2025, and how thinking too far ahead toward 100 yards may have ultimately cost him an even bigger performance The nearly 750-mile Heysen Trail fastest known time he completed with his teammates in honor of Randall Taylor, whose tragic death gave their record attempt a much deeper purpose and helped inspire a $40,000 fundraising effort for Autism Camps Australia His unforgettable battle with Phil Gore at Gili Backyard Ultra, where extreme heat, humidity, flooded roads, and severe dehydration turned their race into an extraordinary test of endurance How Dan ran a 2:49 marathon wearing Crocs, earned an official Guinness World Record, and discovered that racing 26.2 miles in footwear he'd barely trained in wasn't quite as simple as he'd imagined His self-coached "speed, steady, specific" training philosophy, why he believes faster running can make someone a better backyard athlete, and how he balances marathon-level speed with the endurance required to run for days The changes to his sleep strategy that made such a difference in 2026, including alternating fast and slow night loops, delaying caffeine, and finally getting meaningful sleep during a backyard instead of simply trying to survive the nights Beyond the performances, Dan shares something far more personal. He speaks openly about a difficult period in his life involving drugs and alcohol, the faith he credits with saving his life, and why he hopes his experiences can inspire others to find something positive and meaningful in their own lives. What makes Dan such a compelling guest isn't just his ability to run extraordinary distances. It's his humility, his willingness to share what he's learned, and the genuine appreciation he has for the people who have helped him get here. He started running to pass a fitness test. Seven years later, he's representing his country on the world stage and inspiring runners around the world. And through it all, he hasn't lost sight of what matters most to him. If you want backyard ultrarunning covered like its own sport, not an afterthought inside the larger ultra world, you're in the right place. #BackyardUltra #DanCamac #Ultrarunning

  2. 4d ago

    The Ivo Steyaert & Merijn Geerts Interview

    Ivo Steyaert and Merijn Geerts just made backyard ultra history for the third time together, running 124 yards and 516.7 miles each at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships before making the decision to stop side by side. Garrett and Tanner sit down with the two Belgian world record holders to hear what happened over five days and four hours, how they broke Phil Gore's previous world record of 119 yards, and why they ultimately chose to stop at 124 when both believed they might have been capable of going farther. For the final 38 hours, Ivo and Merijn were the only two runners left in the world. They describe calling out to wake each other up, looking back to make sure the other was still moving, and the responsibility they felt to keep each other in the race. Their partnership has been years in the making, including an extraordinary moment during the 2024 championships when Merijn turned back into the forest to find a disoriented Ivo and help him make it back before the next bell. That same commitment to one another extends throughout Team Belgium. Every runner stayed until the very end, even after their own races were over. Ivo and Merijn explain how years of shared training, meticulous preparation, and a remarkable support system have created something much bigger than a collection of talented athletes. What stands out isn't simply how far these two men can run, but how much of their success is built around helping the people beside them go farther too. The conversation also covers: Why the first 24 to 48 hours can be surprisingly difficult even for runners capable of going more than 500 miles, and how both men deal with the mental weight of knowing how much farther they still intend to go Ivo's determination to conquer the fifth night after difficult experiences in 2024 and 2025, and why he believes mentally preparing for that specific challenge made a difference this time How they survived five nights with only minutes of sleep at a time, including moments of falling asleep on the course, and the different strategies they use to keep themselves moving Merijn's remarkable 219-hour race plan, why he continues refining it after every backyard, and his belief that setting a finish line in your mind can become the very thing that limits how far you go The conversations that led them to stop at 124 yards instead of chasing 130 or beyond, including why they wanted to leave no doubt about the record and why finishing together mattered more than pushing the number higher Merijn's vision for the future of backyard ultrarunning, including a governing body, clearer rules, and a World Team Championship featuring 15 men and 15 women from each country to give female athletes the recognition and opportunities they deserve Beyond the record, Ivo and Merijn share what it means to represent Belgium and how their performance gave people across their country something positive to rally around. Merijn admits he is still disappointed they didn't win the team championship, but both recognize that what happened over those five days meant something much bigger to the people following along. Three shared world records. Thousands of miles together. And a friendship built on the understanding that sometimes the best way to discover your own limits is to help someone else reach theirs. If you want backyard ultrarunning covered like its own sport, not an afterthought inside the larger ultra world, you're in the right place. #BackyardUltra #IvoSteyaert #MerijnGeerts

  3. Nov 2

    Nick Steel Returns

    Nick Steele just jumped from a 60-yard personal best to 94 yards and nearly 392 miles at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships, finishing third among the Americans and ninth in the world. Garrett and Tanner welcome Nick back to The Threshold Podcast to break down what happened at Big’s, how he pushed more than a full day beyond his previous best, and why his approach to backyard running looks so different from almost anyone else in the sport. The conversation also covers: What the Team USA course change actually felt like from inside the race, why Nick was willing to run wherever the team needed him, and how the endless road loop eventually became mentally brutal The sleep deprivation, hallucinations and emotional swings that begin to take over when a backyard stretches deep into the fourth night How Jon Noll and Levi Yoder helped keep Nick moving when he was barely staying awake and literally falling into roadside ditches The full story of yard 94, when Nick laid down believing his race was over, hallucinated figures in the woods, heard what he believed was his girlfriend Ava’s voice telling him to get up, then somehow made it back with minutes to spare Why Nick believes his body still had more to give, and why the real limit at Big’s became sleep deprivation and simply no longer wanting to be out there His plan for Last Soul Ultra, where he intends to treat an individual race almost like a team event and help as many runners as possible go farther than they thought they could Nick also opens up about the years before ultrarunning, when he struggled to find a reason to keep moving forward, and how running eventually gave him a sense of purpose he now wants to pass on to other people. He is only 24, already one of the most recognizable young runners in the backyard world, and still chasing an even bigger goal: becoming the youngest person ever to complete 100 races of 100 miles or more. But the most interesting part of Nick Steele may not be how far he can run. It may be how determined he is to make sure the people around him go farther too. If you want backyard ultrarunning covered like its own sport, not an afterthought inside the larger ultra world, you’re in the right place. #BackyardUltra #NickSteele #Ultrarunning

  4. Oct 30

    The Jon Noll Interview

    Jon Noll has now run 100+ yards twice at Big’s, helped Team USA win two world team championships, and built one of the most consistent records in backyard ultrarunning. Garrett and Tanner sit down with Jon after his 106-yard assist at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships to talk about what makes him so dependable, how Team USA actually worked together behind the scenes, and why his race strategy looks almost completely different from what many backyard runners are taught. The conversation also covers: Jon’s 161.42-mile win at Six Days in the Dome and his longtime goal of representing Team USA at the 24-Hour World Championships Why he runs nearly every Big’s loop between roughly 52 and 56 minutes, eats almost everything while moving, and uses nearly all of his time in camp to lie down and rest How Kendra manages the details Jon no longer trusts himself to handle deep into a race, from electrolytes and food to shoes, socks and the little things that can completely change how he feels Why Jon disconnects from his phone completely during Big’s, and somehow had to explain an MP3 player to Nicholas Steele The moment Nick Steele disappeared into a roadside ditch late in the race, then stayed beside Jon as Jon helped him fight through another yard What actually happened when Jon’s race suddenly ended on yard 107 after looking nearly untouchable deep into day five Jon’s honest perspective on Team USA’s controversial decision to move to the road course early, why he voted to stay on the trail, and why he does not want runners making that decision themselves again in 2028 Why the Big’s trail means so much to him, even as he admits Team USA may need a new home if the goal is to optimize the team championship course And whether 100 yards is rapidly becoming the new minimum standard for the very top of the backyard world Jon is not the loudest runner on Team USA. He is not chasing attention, and he is not trying to manufacture a persona. He shows up, runs the same controlled loop over and over again, helps the people around him, and keeps finding himself near the very end of the biggest backyard races in the world. That consistency has made him one of the most dependable athletes in the sport. #BackyardUltra #JonNoll #Ultrarunning

  5. Oct 26

    Backyard Ultra Team Championship Recap - Part 2

    Team USA won the world championship. Should its next team race be anywhere near Bell Buckle? Garrett and Tanner return for Part 2 of their 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championship recap, finishing the American runner breakdown before getting into the course controversy, their predictions and what needs to change by 2028. First, we address the feedback from Part 1: Team USA’s teamwork went well beyond what viewers could see on the livestream. Runners changed their pacing, helped struggling teammates and made decisions for the good of the team. With Jon Noll and Nicholas Steel joining us soon, there’s much more of that story to hear. Then we give more time to the runners we moved through too quickly. Levi Yoder’s 86 yards and exhausted conversation with Laz. Nick Petterson’s 19-yard personal best and belief that he had more to give. Harvey Lewis’s leadership. Megan Smyth finishing as the last woman standing worldwide. Jeff Walker’s huge performance before breathing difficulties ended his race. Ryan Snickles bringing energy and delivering far beyond our expectations. And Scott Snell’s heartbreaking exit just steps from the corral. The conversation also covers: • Tanner winning our prediction matchup, where we expected too much from some familiar names and where emerging runners proved us wrong • How Team USA’s early switch from the trail to the road unfolded, including runner perspective shared by Jon Noll • Why an allowed course change can still raise questions about how championship decisions should be made • Moving the USA team race while keeping individual Big’s at Bell Buckle, and what better facilities and crew support could provide • Potential 2028 venues, including Capital, Prairie on Fire and the still-unknown Last Soul USA location • Bringing countries together on one course, rotating hosts and the travel, work and financial realities that complicate it • Why Australia’s broadcast stood out, what the USA coverage missed and how runner stories could make the opening days worth watching • Last Soul versus Big’s, the crowded 2027 calendar and whether athletes can recover in time to chase both We finish with the new events attracting attention, Sage Canaday’s backyard appearance and a shoutout to a first-time backyard runner who gave Garrett another reason to love this sport. If you want backyard ultrarunning covered like its own sport, not an afterthought inside the larger ultra world, you’re in the right place. #BackyardUltra #SatChamps #Ultrarunning Chapters00:00 Welcome to Sat Champs Recap Part 203:36 Team USA teamwork we didn’t see06:43 Levi Yoder09:35 Nick Petterson11:54 Harvey Lewis and team leadership14:18 Megan Smyth and women chasing 10016:30 Jeff Walker19:24 Ryan Snickles21:30 Scott Snell’s heartbreaking exit24:25 Stephanie Rosebaugh26:55 Jennifer Russo28:42 Scott Martin30:11 Ron Wireman31:41 Our predictions versus the results36:08 Team USA’s course controversy47:21 Should Team USA leave Bell Buckle?49:36 Potential 2028 championship venues54:34 Countries competing on one course01:00:09 Better broadcasts and runner stories01:07:15 Last Soul versus Big’s01:12:17 Can runners recover to race both?01:16:59 New backyard events and prize money01:18:32 Sage Canaday and a first backyard01:20:09 Upcoming guests and thank you

  6. Oct 22

    Backyard Ultra Team Championship Recap, Team USA & Mark Dowdle, New World Record For Belgium -Part 1

    Belgium just pushed the backyard ultra world record to 124 yards and 516.7 miles, Team USA is the new world team champion, and five days of racing produced more storylines than we could possibly fit into one episode. Garrett and Tanner begin their full recap of the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championship, breaking down the countries, runners and performances that defined one of the most compelling backyard races we have ever watched. Team USA finished on top with 1,120 total yards, but the road there was anything but straightforward. Australia looked nearly untouchable before losing eight runners across a brutal stretch late in the race. Belgium finished third while Ivo Steyaert and Merijn Geerts continued alone for 38 hours and ultimately stopped together at a new world record of 124 yards. Japan delivered one of the deepest and most consistent performances of the championship, and the UK announced itself as a legitimate world power. The conversation also covers: Why Belgium may have provided the blueprint for what a true backyard ultra TEAM should look like, from crew structure and shared support to Ivo and Merijn running side by side until the end Australia’s stunning collapse from 10 runners to two, why their fourth night may have played a major role, and why this young roster could be even more dangerous in 2028 Japan improving by 155 yards over 2024 and keeping all 15 runners alive through the first 50 yards The UK smashing its national team record, finishing fifth in the world and making a very strong case to join the sport’s top tier France producing two 100-yard runners despite brutal weather, a power outage and several major early disappointments The major questions surrounding AIN and Biotropika after several runners came nowhere close to their previously reported performances Then we turn to Team USA. Mark Dowdle completed 107 yards to become the U.S. national champion after surviving several moments where it looked like his race might be over. Jon Noll delivered another 100+ yard championship performance with 106. Nicholas Steele exploded from a 60-yard personal best to 94. Greg Fall reached 92. Levi Yoder, Nick Petterson, Jeff Walker and Ryan Snickles all set major personal bests. Harvey Lewis may not have reached the yardage many expected, but his leadership became one of the defining stories of the American victory. And Megan Smythe finished with 82 yards as the final woman remaining anywhere in the world. This is Part 1. In Part 2, we’ll go back through our predictions, revisit the Team USA course controversy, debate whether the U.S. should remain at Bell Buckle for future team championships, and look ahead to what Sat Champs could become by 2028. If you want backyard ultrarunning covered like its own sport, not an afterthought inside the larger ultra world, you’re in the right place. #BackyardUltra #SatChamps #Ultrarunning

  7. Oct 19

    Backyard Ultra Team Championships Day 1 & Day 2 Recap, Last Soul Ultra Athlete Roster Updates, BPN Go One More Lottery Announcement, MOAB 240 Cancellation& Duff Dog Backyard Ultra

    The 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships are heating up, and Day 2 has already delivered major controversy, shocking exits, extreme weather, and international storylines! Four countries remain perfect with all 15 runners still standing through 38 yards. Spain's championship has been wiped out by severe flooding, France is taking major losses, and Team USA has sparked controversy after making a mid-race course change in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. In this episode of The Threshold Podcast, Garrett and Tanner break down the latest Backyard Ultra Satellite World Championships standings, Team USA's performance, major athlete eliminations, and the biggest storylines unfolding around the world. Topics covered in this episode: 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships: Live standings, Team USA, Belgium, Australia, Japan, and the battle for the world title. Team USA Course Debate: The decision to switch from the Bell Buckle day loop to the night course early, Australia's reaction, and whether international backyard championships need standardized conditions. Vera Chekalina & Biotropika: Chekalina exits at 34 yards after running 96 earlier this year, raising more questions surrounding AIN athletes and Biotropika. Spain's Championship Canceled: Severe flooding ends Spain's race while other nations see their entire teams eliminated before 30 yards. Theo Von & Mark Dowdle: Comedian Theo Von makes an appearance in Bell Buckle and cooks spaghetti for backyard ultra star Mark Dowdle. Last Soul Ultra 2027: More invited athletes emerge for the massive Tennessee backyard ultra, with elite competitors and endurance content creators entering the conversation. Garrett and Tanner continue their push for an invitation. BPN Go One More Ultra: The 2027 lottery opens, but can BPN compete with the growing excitement surrounding Last Soul Ultra? Rappid, Kim Gottwald & Big's Backyard Ultra: Rappid sponsors the Big's livestream. Could this signal a much larger partnership between Rappid, Last Soul Ultra, and Big's? Moab 240 Canceled: Aaron Kubala reaches over 214 miles before severe weather ends the race and his pursuit of a 2026 Triple Crown sweep. Chicago Marathon 2026: Clayton Young, Charles Hicks, and the emerging Vinny Mauri storyline following another incredible marathon performance. Duff Dog Backyard Ultra: Garrett breaks down his 25-yard performance, a 10-yard personal best, and the mindset shift that helped him reach a new level. Mammoth 200: Women battle near the top of the overall standings while the race raises questions about the future of 200-mile ultramarathon livestream coverage. The 2026 Backyard Ultra Satellite World Championships are far from over. With teams battling for survival, national records on the line, and the world's best backyard ultrarunners pushing toward 200+ miles, the biggest stories may still be ahead. We'll be back later this week with more results, analysis, and breaking news as the championship unfolds. The Threshold Podcast brings you ultrarunning news, backyard ultra coverage, athlete interviews, race recaps, and the stories of those pushing beyond their limits. Follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest from the world of ultrarunning. #BackyardUltra #Ultrarunning #BigsBackyardUltra #SatelliteChampionships #LastSoulUltra #TheThresholdPodcast

  8. Oct 16

    2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Champs Preview & Predictions

    The wait is over. On October 17, backyard runners around the world will start the same 4.167-mile yard, and they will keep coming back every hour until national teams begin disappearing. The 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championship is here. Garrett and Tanner have spent the last month talking with Team USA runners, studying the international rosters, following the qualifying races and trying to figure out what happens when 15-person teams around the world compete for every possible yard. Now it’s time to make the calls. We break down all 15 members of Team USA, from Jeff Walker and Nicholas Steel through Mark Dowdle, Jon Noll and captain Harvey Lewis. We look at what each runner has done, where there may still be untapped upside, who we trust when the race reaches the third and fourth nights, and then put an actual yard prediction next to every name. And we’re not playing it safe. Garrett predicts Team USA will score 1,228 yards. Tanner has them at 1,202. Both would break Belgium’s championship-record 1,147 yards from 2024, and both of us are picking the United States to win the world title. The conversation also covers: Why Mark Dowdle, Jon Noll and Harvey Lewis could become the backbone of Team USA late in the race, and why the version of Dowdle we see in Bell Buckle may look very different from the showman we’ve watched elsewhere Our biggest Team USA swings, including Tanner calling 102 yards for Nicholas Steel, Garrett calling 92 for Nick Petterson and 90 for Megan Smyth, and both of us wondering if we may have underestimated Harvey Lewis before the episode was even over Belgium’s terrifying depth, Ivo Steyaert, Merijn Geerts and Brecht Van Damme, and how the defending champions could produce some of the highest individual yard counts in the world and still lose the team title The international teams that could reshape the championship, including Japan’s extraordinary consistency, an Australian team trying to replace the yards Phil Gore would have provided, a UK roster Garrett believes could make a massive jump, and an AIN team carrying one of the strangest and most fascinating storylines of the entire event Whether the enormous Biotropika performances translate when those runners compete under the official World Team Championship structure, and why their results could answer questions the backyard world has been arguing about for months Our final calls for the world’s highest individual yardage, biggest surprise, biggest underperformer, team sleeper and the bold predictions that could either make us look brilliant or give the rest of the backyard world clips to use against us for years There is also something bigger happening around this race. The backyard has grown quickly enough that countries are building deeper teams, international rivalries are becoming real, live streams are putting more eyes on every yard and every decision, and runners who once existed in separate corners of the sport are suddenly competing inside the same global event. This is the event we built the last month of The Threshold Podcast around. Now there is nothing left to research. It’s time to run. If you want to know who can win the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championship, which runners could explode past their previous bests and what to watch when the yards start piling up around the world, you’re in the right place. Links 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championshiphttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/ Official 2026 World Team Championship rostershttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/ Team USA World Team Championship pagehttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/big-dogs-satellite-championships-team-usa/ Road to Big’shttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/road-to-bigs/ Backyard Ultra World Rankingshttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-rankings/ #BackyardUltra #TeamUSA #BigsBackyardUltra

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Threshold Podcast is a conversation about pushing limits and finding clarity. Hosted by Tanner Elmore and Garrett DuPont, the show explores what it really takes to chase big endurance goals while balancing family, work, and everything else life demands. Each episode dives into the mindset, strategy, preparation, gear, nutrition, and lessons that runners often have to learn the hard way. Welcome to The Threshold Podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Garrett DuPont and Tanner Elmore
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Garrett DuPont and Tanner Elmore
  • Show Website
    The Threshold Podcast

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