The Threshold Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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 Championship
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/

Official 2026 World Team Championship rosters
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/

Team USA World Team Championship page
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/big-dogs-satellite-championships-team-usa/

Road to Big’s
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/road-to-bigs/

Backyard Ultra World Rankings
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-rankings/

#BackyardUltra #TeamUSA #BigsBackyardUltra

TEAM USA BACKYARD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR: JEFF WALKER | THE THRESHOLD PODCAST

What does it take to go from your first backyard ultra to representing Team USA on the world’s biggest backyard ultra stage? For Jeff Walker, it’s a combination of grit, consistency, mental toughness, and learning how far you can go when you refuse to count yourself out.

On this episode of The Threshold Podcast, Tanner and Garrett sit down with Jeff Walker, winner of the 2026 Queeny Backyard Ultra, where he punched his ticket to Team USA with an incredible 61-yard performance. A two-time Prairie on Fire champion and Grind on the Grid winner, Jeff has quickly established himself as one of the most competitive names in backyard ultra running.

Jeff takes us through his journey from a former wrestler and high school runner to a serious contender in the ultrarunning world. We dive into his breakthrough at Queeny, the influence of Harvey Lewis on his racing philosophy, and why teamwork, pacing, and staying present can make all the difference when the hours start piling up.

We also break down his preparation for the Backyard Ultra World Team Championships at Big’s Backyard Ultra in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. From 100-mile training weeks and 4 a.m. runs to elevation preparation, race-day strategy, sleep management, and the mental battle of pushing through another yard, Jeff shares what goes into preparing for ultrarunning’s ultimate endurance test.

Plus, we discuss the importance of family and crew support, how experience can become an advantage as runners get older, the evolution of backyard ultras, and Jeff’s thoughts on the growing popularity of livestreamed events like Last Soul Ultra.

In this episode:

•

Jeff Walker’s journey into backyard ultras and ultramarathon running

•

Winning Queeny Backyard Ultra and earning a spot on Team USA

•

Learning from Harvey Lewis and embracing the power of teamwork

•

Training for Big’s Backyard Ultra with 100+ mile weeks

•

Mental toughness, visualization, pacing, and race-day problem-solving

•

The importance of crew support, family, and believing things can change

•

Why your best backyard ultra performances might still be ahead of you

•

Prairie on Fire, Last Soul Ultra, and the future of backyard ultra racing

Whether you're a backyard ultra competitor, ultrarunner, endurance athlete, or fan of the sport, this episode is packed with insight into the physical and mental demands of running one more yard.

🎧 Subscribe to The Threshold Podcast for ultrarunning interviews, backyard ultra race previews, endurance training discussions, and conversations with the athletes pushing the limits of human performance.

#TheThresholdPodcast #JeffWalker #BackyardUltra #BackyardUltras #TeamUSA #BigsBackyardUltra #Ultrarunning #UltraRunningPodcast #EnduranceRunning #QueenyBackyardUltra #HarveyLewis #LastSoulUltra

Charlie Lawrence just ran 100 kilometers at a clip of 5:56 per mile.

Lawrence won the 2026 IAU 100K World Championship in 6:09:25, holding off world record holder Aleksandr Sorokin and helping the U.S. men capture team gold. Courtney Olsen added another world title for Team USA, winning the women’s race in 7:10:31.

Garrett and Tanner break down Lawrence’s patient race, what it takes to hold that pace for more than six hours, and revisit one of our favorite questions: if a runner with Charlie’s engine seriously committed to the backyard format, just how dangerous could he be?

Then we head to the Sierra Nevada, where Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy finally took down the supported John Muir Trail FKT on his third attempt. McConaughy covered the roughly 223-mile route in 2 days, 16 hours, cutting more than three hours from François D’Haene’s record that had stood since 2017.

The conversation also covers:

Why repeated attempts matter, what Stringbean may have learned from coming up short twice before, and the very different challenge of chasing an FKT without crew, pacers or resupply

The Backyard Ultra World Team Championships two weeks out, Team USA’s potential, the countries we’re watching and why some of the biggest performances could come from runners getting far less attention

An idea from a listener in the U.S. Armed Forces for a military backyard championship built around teams representing the different service branches

The 2027 Boston Marathon’s 5:17 cutoff, which left thousands of runners who technically hit their Boston qualifying standards without guaranteed entry

Tigst Assefa winning the Berlin Marathon in 2:11:04 despite tearing her Achilles near 40K, one of the more ridiculous finishes we’ve seen this year

Why Elm Creek Backyard Ultra continues to establish itself as one of the premier backyard events in the Midwest

Plus, Garrett is one week away from Duff Dog Backyard Ultra. We talk through the final taper, what feels different heading into backyard number two and why having one race in the format already under his belt has completely changed his mindset.

Running keeps giving us the same lesson in wildly different forms: somebody does something that seems outrageous, another runner sees it, and eventually someone decides they can go farther or do it faster.

From six-minute miles for 100K to three days in the Sierra to 74 countries starting the same backyard race at the exact same moment, there has rarely been a more interesting time to find out where the limits actually are.

If you like following the people pushing running farther, faster and occasionally into completely unreasonable territory, you’re in the right place.

Links

2026 IAU 100K World Championships results
https://iau-ultramarathon.org/2026-iau-and-wma-100-km-world-championships-final-results.html

Charlie Lawrence / 100K World Championships recap
https://www.irunfar.com/2026-iau-100k-world-championships-results-americans-courtney-olsen-charlie-lawrence-win

Joe McConaughy’s John Muir Trail FKT
https://www.irunfar.com/joe-mcconaughy-stringbean-john-muir-trail-fkt-2026

2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/

Road to Big’s / World Team Championship
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/road-to-bigs/

Boston Marathon qualifying information
https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/qualify/

2027 Boston Marathon cutoff announcement
https://www.baa.org/news/record-field-of-qualifiers-accepted-into-the-131st-boston-marathon-presented-by-bank-of-america/

Berlin Marathon
https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/

Elm Creek Backyard Ultra
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/elm-creek-backyard-ultra/

#CharlieLawrence #BackyardUltra #Ultrarunning

Nick Petterson has run a 2:38 marathon, won Rocky Raccoon 100 in 14:38, covered 280.5 miles in 100 hours at Jackalope Jam, finished Cocodona 250 and earned his spot on Team USA by winning Ode to Laz Backyard Ultra with 63 yards. Today, he considers the backyard the format he may be best at, even though he doesn’t believe his current results have shown what he’s fully capable of yet.

Nick joins Garrett for a one-on-one conversation about how he went from college soccer player to ultrarunner, why he keeps testing himself across road marathons, 100-milers, multi-day events and backyards, and why he believes training and racing can be a lot simpler than runners sometimes make them.

The conversation also covers:

His first self-supported 100-mile attempt around his apartment complex, nearly stopping halfway through, and discovering how quickly a terrible stretch can turn around

Why getting too attached to a time or placement at Cocodona changed the way he thinks about goals and competition

Nick’s simple approach to training, why he rarely follows a rigid plan, and why showing up healthy matters more than squeezing out one more workout

How marathon speed and ultra endurance have gradually started meeting in the middle, and why he believes the backyard may ultimately be his strongest format

How he handles suffering without tearing himself down, why “just try your best” works better than tough-love self-talk, and why remembering that nothing lasts forever helps in the hardest moments

Team USA, Bell Buckle and whether the Backyard Ultra World Team Championships could finally give Nick the opportunity to find out how deep he can go

The future of backyard ultrarunning, Last Soul Ultra’s production value, and why the format may be uniquely built for livestreaming and athlete storytelling

Plus, Nick was preparing to run the Berlin Marathon, with a trip through Germany and Austria, an Oktoberfest stop on the itinerary, and a goal of getting as close to 2:30 as possible without losing sight of the race that matters most.

From his first homemade 100-miler to Team USA, Nick has built his career by setting goals that sound a little unreasonable, keeping the process relatively simple and trusting himself to solve problems once they actually arrive. Along the way, he’s learned that the things we build up in our heads usually aren’t as bad as we expect, and that sometimes the only way to learn what you’re capable of is to put yourself in the arena and find out.

If you’re interested in a backyard runner with legitimate marathon speed, huge multi-day ambitions and a refreshingly uncomplicated way of thinking about all of it, you’re in the right place.

Links

Nick Petterson on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nickp_runs/

Nick Petterson race results
https://ultrarunning.com/calendar/runner/view/Nick-Petterson-b1cc5e4a-0fce-11ea-8600-624db84c3c72

Ode to Laz Backyard Ultra
https://odetolaz.com/

2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/

Team USA Backyard Ultra World Team Championship
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/big-dogs-satellite-championships-team-usa/

BMW Berlin Marathon
https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/

Cocodona 250
https://www.aravaiparunning.com/cocodona/

Jackalope Jam
https://runsignup.com/JackalopeJam

#NickPetterson #BackyardUltra #TeamUSA

Scott Snell has run 88 yards at the Backyard Ultra World Team Championships, won Capital Backyard Ultra, represented Team USA multiple times and recently ran 140.8 miles in 24 hours. But his path to becoming one of the most consistent backyard runners in the country started much more simply: a 50K, a few early backyard races and eventually becoming the guy Laz nicknamed “crewless.”

Scott joins Tanner and Garrett as part of the Team USA preview to talk about how his backyard career evolved, why the format fits him so well, and what he believes he still has left to find.

The conversation also covers:

Why Scott believes Capital Backyard Ultra would give Team USA a better championship course than Bell Buckle, and whether running different courses around the world creates an uneven playing field

The growth of Last Soul Ultra, why Scott believes there is room for both grassroots and highly produced backyard events, and what Big’s could learn from Last Soul’s livestream and race coverage

How Scott progressed from 36 yards to 61, then 75 and eventually 88, without dramatically changing his training formula

Why 100 yards has been on his mind for years, but why he refuses to make it the actual goal when he steps onto the course

The back injury that took him almost completely away from running and changed how he thinks about future opportunities at Big’s

Why he now wants to run until there is nothing left rather than convince himself to “live to fight another day”

The family sacrifices behind training for multi-day races, and why remembering what his wife and four sons give up helps keep him moving when quitting starts to sound reasonable

Running a backyard with his oldest son Steven, watching Steven fight his way to 100K, and how that experience later helped Scott push through his own low point

Steven flipping the script and crewing his dad at the MCW Westfield Ultra, where Scott won and set a new course record with 140.8 miles in 24 hours

The difference between showing up to Team USA in 2022 feeling like an imposter and returning in 2026 with a stronger sense of team, experience and purpose

How Team USA actually works on the course, why smaller groups naturally form around different pacing strategies, and when the team dynamic can eventually collide with individual goals

Plus, Scott talks about writing race reports, using them years later as a way to remember what worked and what failed, his love for a roomy toe box, energy drinks with gorillas on the can, and the Mount to Coast setup he plans to bring to Bell Buckle.

Scott’s career has been a steady lesson in discovering that the limit is usually farther away than he originally thought. Thirty-six yards became 61. Then 75. Then 88. And even after 88, he finished believing there was more.

Now, after an injury that briefly made him wonder how many opportunities he might have left, the question has changed. It is no longer whether Scott Snell is capable of going farther. It is how much farther he is willing to find out.

If you follow Team USA, Big’s Backyard Ultra, or the people pushing the backyard format deeper into territory they once thought was impossible, you’re in the right place.

Links

Scott Snell / Beast Coast Trail Running
https://www.beastcoasttrailrunning.com/

Scott Snell race results
https://ultrarunning.com/calendar/runner/view/Scott-Snell-313eb184-0feb-11ea-b026-624db84c3c72

2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/

Team USA Backyard Ultra World Team Championship
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/big-dogs-satellite-championships-team-usa/

Capital Backyard Ultra
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/capital-backyard-ultra/

MCW Westfield Ultra
https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=135381

Mount to Coast
https://mounttocoast.com/

#ScottSnell #BackyardUltra #TeamUSA

Meg Eckert just ran 636.482 miles (1,024.3 km) in six days, becoming the first woman to surpass 1,000 kilometers in a six-day race while also breaking the overall American record. Weeks later, she joins Garrett and Tanner to talk through what actually happens when you run for 144 hours, how she managed sleep, pacing and the mental lows, and why the six-day format has become her favorite event in ultrarunning.

Meg also explains her decision to step away from Team USA ahead of the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships. After digging as deep as she did in Hungary, she didn’t believe she could show up at 100 percent for her teammates and chose to give the spot to an alternate who could.

We also discuss:

The moment in the middle of the six-day race when Meg woke up from a sleep break, couldn’t see the beginning or the end of what she was doing, and had to give herself the same pep talk she would give another athlete

How three different six-day attempts taught her to stop thinking about 144 hours and instead break the race into manageable six-to-twelve-hour pieces

Why sleep may be the biggest separator between six-day racing and the backyard, even when the physical distance suggests the two formats should translate

Her 92-yard performance at Big’s Backyard Ultra, whether women are ready to break 100 yards, and why she believes that milestone is coming very soon

Cocodona 250, where Meg finished third among women in her first 200-plus-mile trail race and rediscovered how much she loves the trail-running community

Melbourne Frontyard Ultra, the loaded international field already forming for 2027, and why Meg believes 10 to 15 runners could still be standing beyond 90 yards

What comes next at the 24-hour distance, why she wants to find out what she can do with a full training block, and how someone who once bailed on her first 5K ended up becoming one of the best multi-day runners in the world

Plus, Meg talks about being a teacher, coaching high school and adult athletes, building her own training while still leaning on mentors, and why running should stay rooted in joy even when the races become brutally difficult.

Meg Eckert has already proven she can go farther than almost anyone in the sport. What makes this conversation special is hearing how she thinks about the moments when the body is still capable, the mind is starting to crack, and the next decision matters more than the accomplishment behind her.

From stepping away from Team USA because she knew she couldn’t give the team 100 percent, to talking herself out of bed midway through a six-day race, to already wondering what she can learn from the next one, this is a conversation about much more than mileage.

If you’re fascinated by what happens when an elite endurance athlete reaches the edge of what she knows she can do and starts looking for what might exist beyond it, you’re in the right place.

Links

Meg Eckert coaching profile
https://www.sharmanultra.com/coaches/meganeckert

Meg’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/_megeckert/

Meg’s 636-mile six-day world record
https://www.irunfar.com/megan-eckert-six-day-running-world-record-2026

2026 EMU-GOMU 6-Day World Championships
https://iau-ultramarathon.org/emu-6-day-race%2C-balatonf%C3%BCred%2C-hungary.html

Big’s Backyard Ultra World Team Championships
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/

Team USA Backyard Ultra World Team Championship
https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/big-dogs-satellite-championships-team-usa/

Cocodona 250
https://www.irunfar.com/2026-cocodona-250-mile-results

Melbourne Frontyard Ultra
https://www.melbournefyu.com.au/

Desert Solstice 24 Hour
https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=135023

#MegEckert #BackyardUltra #Ultrarunning

Last Soul Ultra just made its biggest move in the backyard ultra game yet. The new 2027 Last Soul Ultra World Series will feature 200-runner qualifiers in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia before a final in Germany, with a mix of selected athletes and lottery entries fighting for spots on the final starting line.

Garrett and Tanner break down why this could be a major step for backyard ultrarunning, how Last Soul continues to raise the bar on marketing and race coverage, and what the announcement could mean for BPN Go One More and the rest of the backyard scene.

Then we head back to the North Shore for the 2026 Superior 100. Tyler Morey became one of the few runners in race history to break 20 hours, winning in 19:54:13 despite a night of rain, mud and difficult trail conditions. Jessie Diggins won the women’s race in 25:09:46 in her first 100-miler, bringing Olympic-level fitness to one of the most technical 100-mile races in the country.

Tanner also talks openly about his own Superior 100. He went out chasing a sub-24-hour finish, spent much of the first half near the front of the field, then developed serious GI problems before ending his race at mile 62. We talk through the decision, what he learned, the role his crew played when he said he was done, and why a DNF doesn’t erase the 62 miles that came before it.

Run Rabbit Run also dropped one of the biggest prize-money announcements trail running has seen. In 2027 and 2028, the men’s and women’s 100-mile champions are slated to earn $100,000 each. We talk about whether that kind of money can reshape elite race calendars, attract a deeper field of professional runners and put pressure on other marquee races to increase what they offer athletes.

We also discuss:

How BPN Go One More responds as Last Soul Ultra builds its World Series and several major backyard personalities become closely connected to Last Soul

Whether sponsorship dollars, better livestreams, athlete storytelling and bigger prize purses are beginning to change which ultrarunning events command the most attention

Phil Gore undergoing surgery after an infection was discovered in his leg following Project 168, why seeking a second opinion mattered, and what his recovery could mean for the upcoming Backyard Ultra World Team Championships

The strength of Team Australia even if Gore is unable to compete, and whether his Project 168 performance could still influence what happens at the championships

Jessie Diggins’ transition from Olympic cross-country skiing to winning her first 100-miler, what transferred from her skiing career and whether this is the beginning of something bigger in ultrarunning

And yes, the HYROX Beijing situation. Joanna Wietrzyk continued racing after a major GI incident, won the event, and left HYROX with an athlete-safety and sanitation problem nobody expected to be discussing this season.

If you want to understand why 2027 could look very different for backyard ultras, trail racing and professional ultrarunning, you’re in the right place.

Links

Last Soul Ultra — https://www.lastsoulultra.com/

Superior Fall Trail Race — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/

Superior 100 results — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/100-mile-results/

Run Rabbit Run — https://runrabbitrunsteamboat.com/

BPN Go One More — https://www.bareperformancenutrition.com/pages/go-one-more-ultra

Phil Gore / Project 168 — https://www.philgore.com.au/

Backyard Ultra World Team Championships — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/

HYROX — https://hyrox.com/

#BackyardUltra #Superior100 #Ultrarunning

Live from the North Shore, Garrett and Tanner are joined by James “Smitty” Smith from the hotel putting green to talk through Tanner’s final thoughts before taking on 101 miles and roughly 17,350 feet of climbing on the Superior Hiking Trail, plus what Garrett and Smitty are preparing for as his pacing and crew team.

Then we turn to the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships, where Team USA has some questions to sort out before October 17. Nick Steel has publicly pushed back on race-schedule expectations leading into and following the championship, raising a larger conversation about athlete autonomy, team responsibility, recovery and what changes when backyard ultrarunning becomes a true team sport.

We also discuss:

Team Russia preparing its World Championship course and whether countries optimizing their own courses exposes a bigger problem with the current championship format

Why Garrett thinks the Backyard Ultra World Team Championships eventually need a true in-person final, and whether regional qualifying could create a “World Cup of ultrarunning”

Megan Eckert running 636.482 miles (1,024.3 km) in six days in Hungary, becoming the first woman to surpass 1,000 kilometers in a six-day race and breaking the overall American six-day record

What Eckert’s performance, Phil Gore’s Project 168 and the current generation of multi-day runners might tell us about how far backyard athletes can eventually go

Fastpacking the Superior Hiking Trail, why Smitty wants to cover the Superior 100 course over multiple days, and how fastpacking could give runners a completely different way to experience iconic race courses without actually racing them

Plus, Superior predictions:

With rain potentially arriving overnight, Garrett, Tanner and Smitty make their picks for the 2026 winning time before turning their attention to crewing, pacing, problem-solving and getting Tanner from Gooseberry Falls to Lutsen.

If you love the Superior 100, backyard ultras, multi-day running, or conversations about where ultrarunning could be headed next, you’re in the right place.

Links

Superior Fall Trail Race — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/

Superior 100 participant guide — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/100-mile-info/

Superior course maps and data — https://www.superiorfalltrailrace.com/maps-and-data/

2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/

Team USA World Team Championship — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/big-dogs-satellite-championships-team-usa/

Team Russia World Team Championship — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/biotropika-world-team-championship-team-russia/

Megan Eckert’s six-day world record — https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a73653705/megan-eckert-6-day-world-record-2026/

Superior Hiking Trail — https://superiorhiking.org/

#Superior100 #BackyardUltra #Ultrarunning #MeganEckert

The 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships are 40 days away, and Team USA’s 15-runner roster is officially taking shape. Garrett and Tanner break down Harvey Lewis, Jon Noll, Mark Dowdle, Megan Eckert, Nick Steel and the rest of the American team, where its depth stacks up, and why several runners may need massive PRs if the U.S. wants to contend with the strongest teams in the world.

Phil Gore also pushed the limits of the backyard format with Project 168, completing 152 consecutive yards and 633.75 miles (1,019.92 km) over six days and eight hours. We talk about what the attempt proved, the debate around solo continuation outside a traditional backyard race, and why Gore’s performance gives the rest of the sport a completely different number to chase.

We also discuss:

Jeff Browning suffering a heart attack during TDS at UTMB Mont-Blanc, the emergency response that likely saved his life, and the enormous response from the ultrarunning community as he begins his recovery

The inaugural SISU Backyard Ultra at Lake Rebecca, where 55 runners started, Mark Rosen won with 28 yards, Allie Vale assisted with 27, six runners reached 100 miles, and Garrett and Tanner got their first shot at live race commentary

Ben Dhiman winning UTMB in 18:16:29, Caleb Olson nearly chasing down second place, Rachel Entrekin finishing second, and Blandine L’Hirondel becoming the first woman to break 22 hours at UTMB

Cristian Minoggio and Yngvild Kaspersen winning CCC, Hans Troyer hanging onto a podium finish after another aggressive start, Jennifer Lichter finishing fourth, and what we learned from our UTMB, CCC and OCC predictions

Plus, Taper Talks:

With the Superior 100 only days away, Tanner and Garrett talk about the mental side of tapering. The work is already done, but that doesn’t stop runners from second-guessing their training, noticing every little ache and wondering whether they did enough. We talk about keeping some intensity, protecting recovery, dialing in sleep and trusting the training once the hay is in the barn.

If you follow the Backyard Ultra World Team Championships, the athletes pushing the limits of the format, or the biggest stories happening across ultrarunning right now, you’re in the right place.

Links

2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/

Team USA Satellite Championship — https://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/big-dogs-satellite-championships-team-usa/

Project 168 / Phil Gore — https://philgore.com.au/

SISU Backyard Ultra / The SISU Project — https://www.sisuprojectmn.com/

SISU Backyard Ultra Athlete Guide — https://www.sisuprojectmn.com/new-page

Support Jeff Browning and his family — https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jeff-and-the-browning-family

UTMB Mont-Blanc — https://montblanc.utmb.world/

UTMB — https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/utmb

CCC — https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/CCC

OCC — https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/OCC

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

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

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

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

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

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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 8:02
• Nick 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 weeks
• Josh 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 later
• The Michael McKnight/Sage Canaday doping controversy shaking up the ultrarunning community

Plus, 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 minutes
• Phil Gore's Project 168 — a solo, seven-day attempt to run a backyard ultra loop every hour for 700 miles straight
• Garrett's next backyard ultra this October, and why he's already back in the format after Elm Creek
• Why sitting in a hot car after a summer run might be the free heat training you're missing

If 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.com
• Minnesota Voyageur 50: https://www.voyageur50.com
• Ode to Laz Backyard Ultra: https://odetolaz.com
• Josh Kerr's world record (World Athletics): https://worldathletics.org/competitions/diamond-league/news/london-athletics-meet-2026-josh-kerr-world-mile-record
• Big's Backyard Ultra World Team Championship: https://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/
• 99 Laps: https://99laps.com
• Phil Gore's Project 168: https://philgore.com.au
• Running Magazine on the McKnight/BPC-157 story: https://runningmagazine.ca/trail-running/pro-ultrarunner-opens-up-about-taking-banned-peptide-bpc-157/