DMRC Uncovered: The Mile 70 Idea That Became Death March Running Company

In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, Corinne and Russell sit down with two of the founders of Death March Running Company, Taylor Horowitz and Kody Riley, to unpack the story behind one of trail running’s most creative and fast-rising brands.Born out of shared suffering deep into ultra races, Death March started as a long-running idea between friends and came to life mid-race at High Lonesome. What began as a passion project focused on irreverent, relatable graphics has quickly grown into a recognizable brand rooted in authenticity, humor, and the realities of ultra running.Taylor and Kody share how their complementary strengths, creative chaos balanced with thoughtful execution, have shaped the brand’s rapid growth, all while juggling full-time jobs and late-night order fulfillment. They dive into how most of their ideas come straight from the trail, capturing the universal experiences of runners, from “blister sisters” to porta-potty emergencies.The conversation explores:How Death March built momentum organically through authenticity and communityThe role of storytelling, humor, and shared experience in their designsTheir approach to athlete teams, emphasizing community builders over performance statsPartnerships with races like High Lonesome and unique activations like the Western States beer mileThe balance between keeping things fun versus scaling into something bigger.They also reflect on the evolving landscape of trail running, their desire to preserve the sport’s “dirtbag ethos,” and the importance of inclusivity, highlighted by their majority-female athlete team and intentional community focus.At its core, Death March Running Company is less about apparel and more about celebrating the weird, gritty, and deeply human side of ultra running, by people who are living it themselves. Shop DMRCSee Corinne's Carnage Trail Kids Trading CardIf you're enjoying the show, leave us a review and tell a friend!