Borderlands Trail (+ Ultra) Running

The Heart of Running. Hosted by Josh Rosenthal, founder of Borderlands Trail Running.

  1. Why Should Runners Pay Attention to the Trail Running Industry?

    3D AGO

    Why Should Runners Pay Attention to the Trail Running Industry?

    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 LinkedIn Resources & Links:Nike ACGRaphaSatisfyThe Speed ProjectKantar Research — Insights on brand investment effectivenessPaul Dyson & 2009 + 2020 Media Study — On brand allocation and effective marketing leversspan class="ql-ui"...

    53 min
  2. Lazarus Lake interview [Pt 1] | the Future of Barkleys + Ultrarunning

    JAN 13

    Lazarus Lake interview [Pt 1] | the Future of Barkleys + Ultrarunning

    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 YouTube For 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

    59 min
4.5
out of 5
85 Ratings

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The Heart of Running. Hosted by Josh Rosenthal, founder of Borderlands Trail Running.

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