Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running

Borderlands Pod Network
  • 4.5 (88)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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.

  1. Ultra Running Exposes Who You Really Are (wtih Mike Kratzer)

    3D AGO

    Ultra 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 Creativity Resources / LinksThe confusing case of Camille Herron’s alleged Wikipedia editsBorderlands.ccMike Kratzer on IGJosh Rosenthal on IGLa French TrailHigh TonesSubwhatever Related 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

    35 min
  2. Billy Yang - Why People Run 100 Miles

    5D AGO

    Billy Yang - Why People Run 100 Miles

    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 Equalizer Resources / LinksThe Why by Billy Yang"Nike Boys" DocI Finally Conquered 100 Miles Related 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

    32 min
  3. Why Trail Running Feels Like Skateboarding but Isn't

    MAR 27

    Why 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 Running Resources / LinksTommie Runz | 5 LoopsSLC PUNK Related 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

    11 min
  4. How Do You Rebuild a Life? What Running, Sobriety, and Loss Reveal

    MAR 23

    How Do You Rebuild a Life? What Running, Sobriety, and Loss Reveal

    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 / TimestampsChapters 00:00 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 Challenges Resources / LinksTommie Runz on Instagram Western 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

    22 min
  5. Is Ultrarunning Losing Its Charm?

    MAR 19

    Is 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 something Resources / LinksLa Barba CoffeeACGGorge WaterfallsMountain OutpostWestern StatesLeadvilleWasatch 100Barkley MarathonsEcoTrail Paris Related EpisodesDirtbag Culture vs. Luxury Running BrandsHow Ciele Athletics Built a Running Movement 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

    25 min
  6. Is Ultrarunning Changing? Dirtbag Culture vs Luxury Running Brands

    MAR 13

    Is 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 Culture 15:44 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 Ultrarunning 31:45 The Old Guard of Ultrarunning Resources / Links[article] Why “Luxury Running Brands” Feels Strange In UltrarunningSatisfyCurrentlyRunning Sucks Related 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

    34 min
  7. 44 Running Shoes Tested Over 6,000 Miles | Honest Verdicts

    MAR 9

    44 Running Shoes Tested Over 6,000 Miles | Honest Verdicts

    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 ultrasSpeedland Presented 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

    47 min
  8. 10 Things I Love About Trail Running Right Now (Spring 2026)

    MAR 2

    10 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 Lohse 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

    44 min
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About

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.

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