Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running cover art

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running

Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running

By: Josh Rosenthal | Ultra Runner
Listen for free

About this listen

 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.All Rights Reserved Borderlands Industries LLC Hygiene & Healthy Living Running & Jogging
Episodes
  • Why Ultrarunners Keep Going When Their Body Says Stop | Matt Johnson

    Why Ultrarunners Keep Going When Their Body Says Stop | Matt Johnson
    Apr 20 2026

    Why do some people keep going when everything says stop? If you’ve ever hit a breaking point in endurance sports and wondered what actually determines whether you quit or keep moving, this conversation is for you. This episode explores the real mechanics of the ultrarunning mindset, beyond training or toughness.

    Matt Johnson has spent a lot of time at that edge, where the body is failing and the decision gets simple but brutal. Instead of motivation, this conversation gets into what actually happens in that moment, the thoughts, patterns, and behaviors that allow someone to keep going when stopping feels inevitable.

    This one’s for runners and endurance athletes trying to understand what really happens at their limit. Follow the show for more conversations like this.

    Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.

    Resources / Links
    1. Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races
    2. Josh Rosenthal on IG
    3. Borderlands.cc
    4. La French Trail
    5. High Tones
    6. Subwhatever

    Related Episodes
    1. Ultra Running isn't Just Running

    Presented by Kiprun.

    ----

    Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.

    Watch on YouTube

    Read on Substack

    Listen on any podcast platform

    Belong one Wylder, our community layer - iOS or Android

    More at borderlands.cc
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • How People Become Ultrarunners (No Clear Path)

    How People Become Ultrarunners (No Clear Path)
    Apr 14 2026

    Nobody plans to become an ultra runner. There’s no clear path into the sport, no obvious starting point, and most people don’t grow up anywhere near it. So how do people actually find their way here?

    In this conversation, Josh sits down with Emory Atterberry, founder of Hyperlyte Liquid Performance, and rising ultrarunner Cade Michael to explore how three people from the same unlikely place all ended up in the sport. What emerges is a deeper look at rebellion, isolation, and why some people feel pulled toward something harder.

    This one’s for anyone trying to understand where ultrarunners really come from. Subscribe for more conversations that go deeper into the culture of the sport.

    Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review.

    Topics / Timestamps
    • 00:00 The Journey to Becoming an Ultramarunner
    • 01:34 The Journey to Ultrarunning
    • 12:55 The Spirit of West Texas
    • 15:58 Transitioning from Football to Ultra Running
    • 25:16 The Mosaic of Inspiration in Running
    • 33:12 The Journey to Ultrarunning: Growth and Transformation

    Resources / Links
    1. Hyperlyte Liquid Performance
    2. Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races - May 30
    3. Josh Rosenthal on IG
    4. Borderlands.cc
    5. La French Trail
    6. High Tones
    7. Subwhatever

    Related Episodes
    1. Ultra Running isn't Just Running

    Presented by Kiprun.

    ----

    Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.

    Watch on YouTube

    Read on Substack

    Listen on any podcast platform

    Belong one Wylder, our community layer - iOS or Android

    More at borderlands.cc
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • The Problem With Professional Trail and Ultra Running

    The Problem With Professional Trail and Ultra Running
    Apr 10 2026

    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 / Timestamps
    • 00:11 - The Illusion of Growth in Trail Running
    • 02:05 - Understanding the Growth of Trail Running
    • 03:33 - The Emergence of Fandom in Sports
    • 06:58 - The Disconnect Between Fans and Athletes
    • 08:18 - The Evolution of Running Culture
    • 10:38 - The Importance of Fandom in Sports

    Resources / Links
    1. Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races
    2. Josh Rosenthal on IG
    3. Borderlands.cc
    4. La French Trail
    5. High Tones
    6. Subwhatever

    Related Episodes
    1. Ultra Running isn't Just Running
    2. Why Trail Running Feels Like Skateboarding but Isn't

    Presented by Kiprun.

    ----

    Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.

    Watch on YouTube

    Read on Substack

    Listen on any podcast platform

    Belong one Wylder, our community layer - iOS or Android

    More at borderlands.cc
    Show More Show Less
    12 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.