The Threshold Podcast

Garrett DuPont and Tanner Elmore
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Running
  • Updated 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. 5d ago

    Superior 100 Trail Race & Aaron Hansen

    The Superior 100 returns September 11, sending runners point-to-point across Minnesota’s North Shore on the Superior Hiking Trail from Gooseberry Falls to Lutsen. Eight-time finisher Aaron Hansen joins Tanner and Garrett before his ninth attempt to break down what makes Superior one of the defining 100-mile races in the Midwest, and what it takes to finish the, sometimes grueling, race. We talk through the course section by section, from the opening miles out of Gooseberry through Split Rock, Beaver Bay, Silver Bay, Tettegouche and County Road 6; into the night through Finland, Sonju Lake and Crosby-Manitou; and through the final push over Carlton Peak, Moose Mountain and Mystery Mountain before the Poplar River and the finish at Lutsen. We also discuss: Why the first 20 miles can wreck a runner’s race, and how historical splits can tell you when you’re moving too fast Training for Superior’s roughly 17,000 feet of climbing when you don’t live in the mountains, including why Aaron puts so much emphasis on downhill strength and consistent mileage Where the course gives runners chances to move, where it punishes them, and why Crosby-Manitou can completely change the race Crewing and pacing Superior, when Aaron likes a pacer behind him, what a good pacer actually does, and why the runner still has to “own your own race” Problem-solving after 50, 70 or 90 miles: fueling problems, trail math, sleep deprivation, bad stretches and deciding which problems actually need to be fixed The 2026 field, Neal Collick’s 18:56:02 course record, defending champion Jacob Wortman, Tyler Morey and Tyler Kobliska making their 100-mile debuts, Andrew Warg, Shannon Hogan — and Jessie Diggins taking on Superior Plus, backyards: Aaron gives his take on the growth of backyard ultras, why the format works for runners at completely different ability levels, what went wrong for him at Elm Creek this year, and whether we’ll see him back for a fifth straight appearance. If you’re running Superior, pacing or crewing someone on the North Shore, or just want to understand why runners keep coming back to this trail year after year, you’re in the right place. Links Superior Fall Trail Race — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/ 2026 Superior 100 participant guide — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/100-mile-info/ Superior course maps, aid station chart & crew directions — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/maps-and-data/ Superior 100 GPS / GPX files — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/gps-gpx-files/ Superior crew & pacer information — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/crew-pacer-family-member-spectators-information/ Superior 100 results & historical finishes — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/100-mile-results/ Kevin Langton’s detailed Superior 100 course description — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/superior-100-detailed-course-description-written-by-kevin-langton/ Rocksteady Running — https://www.rocksteadyrunning.com/ #Superior100 #SuperiorHikingTrail #Ultrarunning

  2. Aug 24

    Last Soul Ultra, Backyard Team Championships, & Leadville 100

    Mark Dowdle won Last Soul Ultra 2026 with 94 yards — 391.7 miles (630.4 km) — after nearly four days of backyard racing in Germany. Ayyoub “Ello” El Osrouti reached 93 yards, and Garrett and Tanner break down the finish, the bizarre Loop 87 battle, Dowdle’s gamesmanship, and a livestream that may have raised the bar for how backyard ultras are covered. Nick Steel followed with a win at Tartarus Backyard Ultra, completing 53 yards and securing the final U.S. Silver Ticket for the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships. With the at-large qualifying window now closed, we go through Team USA, the difference between the Silver Ticket and at-large qualifiers, who could actually push toward 80, 90 or 100+ yards, and what the final qualifying races in Australia revealed about the international field. At the Leadville Trail 100, Adrian Macdonald won for the third time in 15:47:23 on a wildfire-modified 99.7-mile course with 13,357 feet of climbing. McKendree Hickory won her Leadville debut in 19:39:12 after erasing a late deficit and taking the lead around mile 84. We also discuss: Caroline Maria Bolte setting a German women’s backyard record with 52 yards in her first backyard ultra, plus Andrew Glaze finding out firsthand how different the format is after 20 yards Sam Christie and Jayden McCormack stopping together at 68 yards at the Clint Eastwood Backyard Ultra, Yuko Sato reaching 65, and the calculated qualifying strategy from several Japanese runners Aaron Kubala winning the Bigfoot 200 in 47:21:11 despite a three-hour pacer penalty — putting him two-for-two heading into Moab in his attempt at the Triple Crown of 200s Run Bum announcing a last-man and last-woman-standing backyard race with a starting $15,000 prize purse — and how much money it would actually take to attract the best backyard runners in the world “Strava doping,” manipulated GPX files and why fake activities become a much bigger issue when Strava data is being used as evidence for Fastest Known Times Plus, Project 168: At the time we recorded, Phil Gore was 26 hours into Project 168 and starting loop 28 of his attempt to run 4.167 miles (6.71 km) every hour for seven consecutive days. We check in on the early stages, the livestream, runners joining Phil on course and the Telethon fundraiser behind the 700-mile (1,127 km) attempt. If you follow backyard ultras, 100-milers, 200-milers or the athletes changing what endurance racing looks like in real time, you’re in the right place. Links: Last Soul Ultra — https://www.lastsoulultra.com/ Last Soul Ultra 2026 results — https://ultramarathondatabase.com/races/last-soul-ultra/2026 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/ Team USA Satellite Championships — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/big-dogs-satellite-championships-team-usa/ Tartarus Backyard Ultra — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/tartarus-backyard-ultra/ Clint Eastwood Backyard Ultra — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/the-clint-eastwood-last-one-standing/ Leadville Trail 100 Run — https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run/leadvilletrail100run/ Bigfoot 200 — https://www.destinationtrailrun.com/bigfoot Triple Crown of 200s — https://www.destinationtrailrun.com/triple-crown Project 168 / Phil Gore — https://www.philgore.com.au/ #LastSoulUltra #BackyardUltra #Ultrarunning Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: CZXRYPP9U6ZVFWWL

  3. Aug 21

    UTMB 2026 Preview & Predictions

    UTMB 2026 brings the trail-running world to Chamonix for 108 miles (174 km) and roughly 32,500 feet (9,900 m) of climbing through France, Italy and Switzerland. Garrett and Tanner break down UTMB, CCC and OCC, the biggest names in every field, and make full podium picks, winning-time predictions, dark-horse calls and DNFs before race week begins. UPDATE — Episode recorded Tuesday, August 18. Since recording, Kilian Jornet has withdrawn from UTMB because of his ongoing knee injury, and Jim Walmsley is also out. You’ll hear discussion on both runners and predictions based on the field as it stood when recorded. We also discuss: How Running Stones, the UTMB Index and the lottery determine who gets to the starting line in Chamonix Courtney Dauwalter vs. defending champion Ruth Croft, with Rachel Entrekin and Riley Brady trying to break into the UTMB women’s podium Vincent Bouillard attempting the Western States–UTMB double and Caleb Olson going all-in on Mont-Blanc after skipping his Western States title defense Why Garrett predicted a Kilian DNF and neither host had Jim Walmsley in the top five before the late withdrawals Jennifer Lichter entering the 62-mile (100 km) CCC after winning Western States, plus a men’s field with 18 of the top 19 entrants carrying a UTMB Index above 900 Tove Alexandersson at OCC and Francesco Puppi vs. Rémi Bonnet over roughly 37 miles (60 km) and 11,500 feet (3,500 m) of climbing Plus, Project 168: Phil Gore begins Project 168 on August 23: one 4.167-mile (6.71 km) lap every hour for 168 consecutive hours. If he completes the full seven days, he’ll cover 700 miles (1,127 km) while raising money for Telethon. We talk about joining Phil for a virtual lap and our group order for the official Project 168 shirt. If you want the names, numbers and picks to know before UTMB, CCC and OCC , you’re in the right place. Links Watch and track UTMB live — https://live.utmb.world/ HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc — https://montblanc.utmb.world/ UTMB Index, Running Stones and qualification — https://utmb.world/ Phil Gore / Project 168 — https://philgore.com.au/ Rafael Hidalgo YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@rafaelhidalgo #UTMB2026 #UTMBMontBlanc #TrailRunning

  4. Aug 17

    Ryan & Steve Koivisto & the SISU Backyard Ultra

    The inaugural SISU Backyard Ultra starts September 5 at 9 a.m. at Lake Rebecca Park in Rockford, Minnesota, on a 4.167-mile hourly loop. Co-race directors Ryan and Steve Koivisto join Garrett and Tanner to explain how the race went from a text sent while mowing the lawn to a permitted backyard event, and what runners can expect on race weekend. We also discuss: How Sydney Backyard Ultra helped spark the idea for a new Minnesota backyard race The Lake Rebecca course, including the paved climb, trail sections, and debate over reversing direction every six hours Why the backyard format works for someone chasing four yards just as well as someone chasing 40 Pancakes, quesadillas, grilled cheese, live timing plans, and a sauna at the start/finish The larger Sisu Project mission to “create moments that demand growth” Plus, race predictions: Ryan and Steve predict 51 runners on the starting line, 10 reaching 24 hours, a winning total of 37 yards, and at least one runner doubling their previous backyard PR. If you’re looking for another Minnesota endurance event or want to see what goes into building a new race from year one, you’re in the right place. Links Sisu Backyard Ultra registration — https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=140416 Sisu Project MN — https://www.sisuprojectmn.com/ Sisu Backyard Ultra Athlete Guide — https://www.sisuprojectmn.com/new-page Sisu Project MN Strava Club — https://www.strava.com/clubs/sisuprojectmn Sisu Backyard Ultra course on Strava — https://www.strava.com/routes/3504592220097932820 Sisu Backyard Ultra on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/sisubackyardultra Official Backyard Ultra race listing — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/sisu-backyard-ultra-at-lake-rebecca/ #SisuBackyardUltra #BackyardUltra #MinnesotaRunning

  5. Aug 10

    Phil Gore & Project 168

    Phil Gore holds the Backyard Ultra World Record at 119 laps and is the reigning Big's Backyard Ultra World Champion, having taken the title with 114. This week on The Threshold Podcast, Tanner and Garrett sit down with him three weeks before the biggest feat he's ever attempted: Project 168 — a solo, seven-day, 700-mile run. We also discuss: How a back-of-the-pack high school cross country runner turned a 2015 commitment to run 5K every day into a marathon, then his first ultra in 2019, then a 39-yard assist finish at his first backyard ultra in 2020 that hooked him for good The evolution of his race plan, from a notebook with no strategy to a dialed three-fast-one-slow lap rotation, a nutritionist calculating every calorie and sodium gram, and a mindset coach and hypnotist who joined the crew almost by accident and never left What it actually felt like inside his head during the roughest overnight stretch of his Big's Backyard Ultra win, including a patch where he genuinely couldn't remember what country he was in The full shape of Project 168: why seven days and not six, the lake-loop course fifteen minutes from his house, his eight-person crew running on color-coded wristband roles, and the one thing he says could actually stop him Why he's framing this as his own four-minute-mile moment: not an official record, but a number he wants the rest of the sport to start chasing Plus, how you can actually be part of it: Booking a lap to run alongside Phil in person if you're near Perth, or a "virtual lap" from wherever you are in the world Where every dollar of the fundraiser goes — Telethon, supporting sick and disadvantaged kids in Western Australia If you've been wondering what's actually possible with hard work, consistency, and the right mindset... you're in the right place. Links: Project 168 — live stream, donate, book a lap, virtual laps: https://philgore.com.au Donate directly to Telethon via Project 168: https://project-168.raiselysite.com/ Project 168 tee ($10 from every shirt goes to Telethon): https://occlothingco.com.au/shop/project-168 Phil Gore on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phil.gore.ultrarunner/ Background — Phil's world record at Dead Cow Gully (ABC News): https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-26/phil-gore-backyard-ultra-world-record-at-dead-cow-gully/105461266 Background — Phil's Big's Backyard Ultra World Championship win (ABC News): https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-23/phil-gore-wins-backyard-ultra-world-championship/105757780 Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 274H9DMD4ZWGKN4I

  6. Aug 3

    2026 Badwater 135 Results, Phil Gore's Project 168, & Josh Kerr's Mile World Record

    Max Jolliffe just became the first man in history to break 21 hours at Badwater 135, running 20:53:41 in a photo finish up the final climb to Whitney Portal. This week on The Threshold Podcast, Garrett and Tanner break down a historic weekend in Death Valley, where Carmen Maria Perez also set a new women's course record at 21:05:32 — finishing second overall, ahead of every runner except Jolliffe himself. We also discuss: Minnesota Voyageur 50's deep field on a brand-new start/finish venue, including 57-year-old John Bauer finishing 4th overall in 8:02Nick Petterson's course-record 63-yard win at Ode to Laz, and where Team USA's backyard roster stands with the qualifying window closing in two weeksJosh Kerr breaking Hicham El Guerrouj's 27-year-old mile world record at 3:42.66, then backing it up with Commonwealth Games gold five days laterThe Michael McKnight/Sage Canaday doping controversy shaking up the ultrarunning communityPlus, we shift gears to the backyard ultra world: 99 Laps, the new 100-runner elimination race out of Germany where the last-place finisher gets cut every 15 minutesPhil Gore's Project 168 — a solo, seven-day attempt to run a backyard ultra loop every hour for 700 miles straightGarrett's next backyard ultra this October, and why he's already back in the format after Elm CreekWhy sitting in a hot car after a summer run might be the free heat training you're missingIf you've been chasing a new PR, curious about your first backyard ultra, or trying to figure out how to actually use this summer heat to your advantage, you're in the right place. Links: Badwater 135: http://www.badwater.comMinnesota Voyageur 50: https://www.voyageur50.comOde to Laz Backyard Ultra: https://odetolaz.comJosh Kerr's world record (World Athletics): https://worldathletics.org/competitions/diamond-league/news/london-athletics-meet-2026-josh-kerr-world-mile-recordBig's Backyard Ultra World Team Championship: https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/99 Laps: https://99laps.comPhil Gore's Project 168: https://philgore.com.auRunning Magazine on the McKnight/BPC-157 story: https://runningmagazine.ca/trail-running/pro-ultrarunner-opens-up-about-taking-banned-peptide-bpc-157/

  7. Jul 14

    How to Run Your First Backyard Ultra, Hardrock 100 Results & Biotropika's Voided World Records

    Ludovic Pommeret just became a three-time Hardrock 100 champion at age 50, breaking his own course record by 22 minutes with a 21:11:36 finish. This week on The Threshold Podcast, Garrett and Tanner break down a historic weekend at Hardrock, where Courtney Dauwalter also set a new clockwise course record at 26:03:10 for her fourth win, and Tara Dower completed a brutal Western States-Hardrock double, finishing third just 13 days after taking sixth at States. With 147 runners taking on 33,000 feet of climbing through the San Juan Mountains, this year's edition delivered one of the most dominant performances the race has seen. We also discuss: Tom Evans' DNF at mile 58 due to altitude sickness, after leading the chase pack through the early milesJimmy Elam and David Ayala rounding out the men's podium in 23:48 and 24:28The Willow Fire forcing Life Time to cancel Leadville's Silver Rush events, and what it means for the Leadville 100 in August Plus, we shift gears to the backyard ultra world: Lazarus Lake voiding the men's and women's world records set at Russia's Biotropika Backyard Ultra, after video showed non-competitors accompanying runners on courseWhat the voided results mean for Dmitry Klimov, Dmitry Sheremet, and Ivan Zaborsky, who all ran further than the previous 119-loop world recordOur full 10-point breakdown on how to run your first backyard ultra, covering training, race strategy, nutrition, crew, gear, and the mental side of a race with no finish line From record-breaking runs in the San Juans to a voided world record in Russia, this episode covers a wild stretch for ultrarunning, plus everything you need to run your first backyard ultra this season. Links: iRunFar's 2026 Hardrock 100 Results: https://www.irunfar.com/2026-hardrock-100-resultsHardrock 100: https://hardrock100.comColorado Sun on Colorado's fire-affected races: https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/09/colorado-fires-race-events/Leadville Race Series: https://www.leadvilleraceseries.comMarathon Handbook on the voided Biotropika records: https://marathonhandbook.com/backyard-ultra-records-voided/Big's Backyard Ultra: https://bigsbackyardultra.com

  8. Jul 6

    Hardrock 100 Watch, Boston Marathon's New Rules, & Heat Training Protocols You Need For Summer

    Hardrock 100 is six days from its scheduled start in Silverton, and for the first time in years, it may not happen at all. This week on The Threshold Podcast, Garrett and Tanner break down the Gold Mountain Fire's threat to the race, the same fire that already forced the Ouray 100 to cancel less than two weeks before its own start. If Hardrock goes down too, it's only the fourth cancellation in the race's 34-year history. Is proactive cancellation the responsible call? We also discuss: Boston Marathon cutting its qualifying times by five minutes across the boardThe new downhill penalty coming to 2027 qualifying, adding up to 10 minutes back onto times run on steep net-downhill coursesResults from the Afton Trail Run 50K and 25K, including Nick Marshall's seventh-fastest 50K in the race's history Plus, we shift gears into training and mindset: A Bangor University study showing runners who added a 40-minute hot bath after workouts ran about 5% faster in a 5K time trial in hot conditionsKara and Nate's backyard ultra documentary, "The Race That Finally Broke Me," and a moment from race director Tim Walsh that stuck with usGarrett's new running streak, one mile minimum every single day for a year, inspired by John Naslund completing all 50 Grandma's Marathons this JuneAn early look at Tanner's plan for Superior 100 in September, including where Garrett steps in to pace him From wildfire watches to backyard ultra breakthroughs, this episode covers a little bit of everything happening in the sport right now. Links: Hardrock 100: https://hardrock100.comiRunFar's 2026 Hardrock Preview: https://www.irunfar.com/2026-hardrock-100-previewColorado Sun on the Ouray 100 cancellation: https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/05/colorado-fires-aspen-acres-willow-gold-mountain-ouray-100/Boston Marathon qualifying standards: https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/qualify/The heat acclimation study (Zurawlew et al., 2016): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26661992/Kara and Nate — "The Race That Finally Broke Me": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgKmIVEytNIAfton Trail Run: https://www.aftontrailrun.comSuperior 100: https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.comJohn Naslund's 50th Grandma's Marathon (MPR News): https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/06/17/with-50-years-of-grandmas-marathon-only-one-man-will-have-ran-them-all

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 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
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Garrett DuPont and Tanner Elmore
  • Show Website
    The Threshold Podcast