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The Threshold Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Garrett DuPont and Tanner Elmore
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.
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- 3 days ago1h 12m
The Jon Noll Interview
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 ChampionshipsWhy 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 restHow 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 feelsWhy Jon disconnects from his phone completely during Big’s, and somehow had to explain an MP3 player to Nicholas SteeleThe moment Nick Steele disappeared into a roadside ditch late in the race, then stayed beside Jon as Jon helped him fight through another yardWhat actually happened when Jon’s race suddenly ended on yard 107 after looking nearly untouchable deep into day fiveJon’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 2028Why 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 courseAnd whether 100 yards is rapidly becoming the new minimum standard for the very top of the backyard worldJon 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
- 1 weeks ago1h 21m
Backyard Ultra Team Championship Recap - Part 2
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 bothWe 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
- 1 weeks ago1h 17m
Backyard Ultra Team Championship Recap, Team USA & Mark Dowdle, New World Record For Belgium -Part 1
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 endAustralia’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 2028Japan improving by 155 yards over 2024 and keeping all 15 runners alive through the first 50 yardsThe UK smashing its national team record, finishing fifth in the world and making a very strong case to join the sport’s top tierFrance producing two 100-yard runners despite brutal weather, a power outage and several major early disappointmentsThe major questions surrounding AIN and Biotropika after several runners came nowhere close to their previously reported performancesThen 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
- 2 weeks ago1h 14m
Backyard Ultra Team Championships Day 1 & Day 2 Recap, Last Soul Ultra Athlete Roster Updates, BPN Go One More Lottery Announcement, MOAB 240 Cancellation& Duff Dog Backyard Ultra
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
- 2 weeks ago1h 33m
2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Champs Preview & Predictions
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 elsewhereOur 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 overBelgium’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 titleThe 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 eventWhether 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 monthsOur 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 yearsThere 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.Links2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championshiphttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/Official 2026 World Team Championship rostershttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/Team USA World Team Championship pagehttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/big-dogs-satellite-championships-team-usa/Road to Big’shttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/road-to-bigs/Backyard Ultra World Rankingshttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-rankings/#BackyardUltra #TeamUSA #BigsBackyardUltra
- 3 weeks ago58 min
Jeff Walker - Team USA Backyard Championship
TEAM USA BACKYARD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR: JEFF WALKER | THE THRESHOLD PODCASTWhat 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 runningWinning Queeny Backyard Ultra and earning a spot on Team USALearning from Harvey Lewis and embracing the power of teamworkTraining for Big’s Backyard Ultra with 100+ mile weeksMental toughness, visualization, pacing, and race-day problem-solvingThe importance of crew support, family, and believing things can changeWhy your best backyard ultra performances might still be ahead of youPrairie on Fire, Last Soul Ultra, and the future of backyard ultra racingWhether 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
- 4 weeks ago1h 2m
Charlie Lawrence 100K, Joe McConaughy FKT & Backyard Team Championships
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 resupplyThe 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 attentionAn idea from a listener in the U.S. Armed Forces for a military backyard championship built around teams representing the different service branchesThe 2027 Boston Marathon’s 5:17 cutoff, which left thousands of runners who technically hit their Boston qualifying standards without guaranteed entryTigst 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 yearWhy Elm Creek Backyard Ultra continues to establish itself as one of the premier backyard events in the MidwestPlus, 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.Links2026 IAU 100K World Championships resultshttps://iau-ultramarathon.org/2026-iau-and-wma-100-km-world-championships-final-results.htmlCharlie Lawrence / 100K World Championships recaphttps://www.irunfar.com/2026-iau-100k-world-championships-results-americans-courtney-olsen-charlie-lawrence-winJoe McConaughy’s John Muir Trail FKThttps://www.irunfar.com/joe-mcconaughy-stringbean-john-muir-trail-fkt-20262026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championshipshttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/Road to Big’s / World Team Championshiphttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/road-to-bigs/Boston Marathon qualifying informationhttps://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/qualify/2027 Boston Marathon cutoff announcementhttps://www.baa.org/news/record-field-of-qualifiers-accepted-into-the-131st-boston-marathon-presented-by-bank-of-america/Berlin Marathonhttps://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/Elm Creek Backyard Ultrahttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/elm-creek-backyard-ultra/#CharlieLawrence #BackyardUltra #Ultrarunning
- Oct 2, 20261h 20m
Nick Petterson - Team USA Backyard Championship
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 aroundWhy getting too attached to a time or placement at Cocodona changed the way he thinks about goals and competitionNick’s simple approach to training, why he rarely follows a rigid plan, and why showing up healthy matters more than squeezing out one more workoutHow marathon speed and ultra endurance have gradually started meeting in the middle, and why he believes the backyard may ultimately be his strongest formatHow 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 momentsTeam USA, Bell Buckle and whether the Backyard Ultra World Team Championships could finally give Nick the opportunity to find out how deep he can goThe future of backyard ultrarunning, Last Soul Ultra’s production value, and why the format may be uniquely built for livestreaming and athlete storytellingPlus, 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.LinksNick Petterson on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nickp_runs/Nick Petterson race resultshttps://ultrarunning.com/calendar/runner/view/Nick-Petterson-b1cc5e4a-0fce-11ea-8600-624db84c3c72Ode to Laz Backyard Ultrahttps://odetolaz.com/2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championshipshttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/world-team-championship-2026/Team USA Backyard Ultra World Team Championshiphttps://bigsbackyardultra.com/races/big-dogs-satellite-championships-team-usa/BMW Berlin Marathonhttps://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/Cocodona 250https://www.aravaiparunning.com/cocodona/Jackalope Jamhttps://runsignup.com/JackalopeJam#NickPetterson #BackyardUltra #TeamUSA
About The Threshold Podcast
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.
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