Connect with Patto and follow the Backyard Ultra Podcast community:

🎙️ Listen to the Backyard Ultra Podcast on Spotify: Backyard Ultra Podcast on Spotify

📸 Follow on Instagram: @backyardultrapodcast on Instagram

In this episode of The Threshold Podcast, we sit down with one of the most recognizable voices in the world of Backyard Ultras—Patto, host of the Backyard Ultra Podcast.

Patto shares his journey from a recreational marathon runner to becoming one of the sport's biggest storytellers and advocates. After discovering the Backyard Ultra format and realizing there were virtually no resources dedicated to the discipline, he launched his own podcast to fill that void. Today, his show has become essential listening for athletes, fans, and anyone fascinated by the unique challenge of last-person-standing racing.

We dive deep into:

• How Patto discovered Backyard Ultras and what drew him to the format
• The story behind starting the Backyard Ultra Podcast
• Lessons learned from his first races and the steep learning curve of the sport
• The evolution of his training, nutrition, and race strategy across 18 Backyard Ultras
• The mental and physical demands of competing deep into multi-day events
• His personal best of 38 yards and what it takes to push beyond perceived limits
• The growth and future of Backyard Ultra racing worldwide

Whether you're training for your first Backyard Ultra, chasing a 100-mile finish, or simply fascinated by endurance, this conversation offers valuable insight into one of running's fastest-growing disciplines.

If you enjoy conversations about ultrarunning, Backyard Ultras, endurance training, race strategy, and the stories that unfold when athletes test their limits, this episode is for you.

Be sure to follow The Threshold Podcast for more conversations with runners, coaches, race directors, and personalities shaping the endurance world.

The Threshold Podcast is back with a special Running News Rundown, covering the biggest stories from the world of running, ultrarunning, trail racing, backyard ultras, and Hyrox.

In this episode, Tanner dives into the headlines shaping the endurance community this week. We reflect on Threshold Podcast surpassing 1,000 downloads, address the conversation sparked by our recent Instagram post, and discuss what accountability and open dialogue look like in today's running culture.

On the racing side, we break down Aaron Kubala's incredible course-record performance at the Tahoe 200, where he clocked a blistering 48:09 to take the win and strengthen his pursuit of the coveted Triple Crown of 200s. We also recap the action from the legendary Kettle Moraine Endurance Trail Races, including the grueling 100-mile event, the 51% buckle rate, standout podium performances, and a new course record in the 100K.

We head to Minnesota for the latest results from FANS Ultra, where athletes pushed their limits in the 24-hour format, including a massive 128-mile performance from previous Threshold Podcast guest Nick Steele.

Looking ahead, we preview one of the most unique events in ultrarunning: the Mid-State Mile. Imagine a backyard ultra with one-mile loops every 20 minutes and relentless elevation gain. With elite names like Mark Dowdle, Harvey Lewis, Cody Eubanks, and Luke Bollschweiler toeing the line, could we see the 133.1-mile course record fall?

We also unpack the controversy coming out of the Suffolk Backyard Ultra, where runner George Rickwood was disqualified more than 50 hours into the race for allegedly violating companionship rules. The situation has sparked debate across the backyard community: should rules be enforced exactly as written, or should intent matter when no competitive advantage was gained?

Finally, we turn our attention to the rapidly growing world of Hyrox, as the Hyrox World Championships take place in Stockholm. With over one million competitors participating this season, we discuss the athletes to watch, Tanner's podium predictions, and why Hyrox may be one of the fastest-growing endurance sports on the planet.

Whether you're training for your first 5K, preparing for your next ultramarathon, obsessed with backyard ultras, following Hyrox, or simply trying to stay connected to the running community, this episode has something for you.

If you're enjoying The Threshold Podcast, be sure to follow the show, leave a 5-star rating and review, and share this episode with a fellow runner. Your support has helped us reach more than 1,000 downloads—and we're just getting started.

Topics Covered:
• Running news and ultrarunning headlines
• Tahoe 200 results and Aaron Kubala's course record
• Triple Crown of 200s discussion
• Kettle Moraine 100 Mile, 100K, 50K, and 38 Mile results
• FANS Ultra 24-hour race results
• Mid-State Mile preview and predictions
• Suffolk Backyard Ultra controversy and rule enforcement debate
• Hyrox World Championships preview and picks
• Trail running, endurance racing, and the running community

Garrett and Tanner are back for episode 13.

Dead Cow Gully just wrapped in Australia and Sam Christie took the win at 66 loops on a 1,600-acre working cattle farm. We break down the race, McCormick's heartbreaking calf injury that likely cost him a silver ticket to the Australian national team, and why Bagman might just be the people's champ of backyard ultra. Also, if you finish Dead Cow Gully, you get a vacuum-sealed bag of cow manure. True story.

Cocodona held its first ever lottery. Nearly 2,000 applicants, 475 spots, 80% first-time starters, all 50 states represented, 42 countries, and one runner drawn at age 76. We break down how Aravaipa built their own lottery system, how the weighted draw works in favor of women until the field hits 50/50, and why the financial commitment of a 250-mile race probably explains why the applicant pool isn't ten times bigger.

Runners World dropped their 2026 shoe awards after testing 107 shoes across 300 runners. We get into the biggest themes, carbon-plated trail shoes arriving in a serious way, the super trainer era officially taking over, Brooks coming back, Puma making a real push, and Sketchers somehow landing on a racing shoe list.

Finally, we talk Western States. Everything you need to know before June 27th. The history of the race, the course breakdown from escarpment to Placer High School, the lottery structure, course records, and a full men's and women's field preview with Tanner's picks and podium predictions on both sides.

If you've been waiting for a reason to tune into Western States this year, then you're in the right place.

LINKS

🏁 Western States 100 Live Stream: https://www.wser.org

🏁 Dead Cow Gully Backyard Ultra: https://www.deadcowgully.com.au

🎟️ Cocodona 2027 Lottery Results: https://www.aravaiparunning.com/cocodona/lottery/

👟 Runners World 2026 Shoe Awards: https://www.runnersworld.com/gear/shoe-reviews

Garrett and Tanner are back for episode 12, and this week we bring the heat.

The Cam Hanes and Sage Canaday saga keeps developing. Cam fired back with his own take on the PED situation. We break down his response, what it means for the brands backing him, and whether race organizations are going to hold influencer athletes to the same standard they hold everyone else.

Then, the Enhanced Games came and went. Fred Curley ran clean and still won. The entire enhanced field couldn't get close to Usain Bolt's world record. We get into what it all means and whether performance enhancement is really moving the needle the way people think it is.

Creatine has been a gym supplement forever. The running world may just now be catching up. We get into the recovery data, the cognitive performance research, what it does during sleep deprivation in overnight race segments, and why Tanner saw his HRV jump 20 points within 48 hours of getting back on it after his race.

The back half of the episode is yours. We put out a call for stories, questions, and anything else our listeners want to know. We cover mid-race problem solving with real examples, what sodium imbalance actually feels like when you're bonking in the heat, how to survive a training block when motivation goes completely dark, and a wild story from a Minnesota trail running OG about a volunteer pacing situation that went very sideways.

If you want the drama, the reason to keep pushing naturally, and more tips and tricks straight from the trail... you're in the right place.

Tanner and Garrett are back for episode 11. This time, we lay out the blueprint for building your own training plan, the "why" behind it, and the 5 areas where you'll experience growth through training intentionally.

Plus, in the Rundown:

Cocodona 250 just dropped their viewership numbers and they are staggering. 247,000 live viewers in 2023. 303,000 in 2024. 841,000 in 2025. 1.42 million this year. We break down what Aravaipa is doing differently from every other race organization in the sport and why other races should be paying attention.

Brian Calloff, a Minnesota runner who trains at Elm Creek, just won Cruel Jewel 100 in Georgia. 25 hours, four minutes, 28 seconds across 33,000 feet of elevation gain.

Kirk Duwent took down the Superior Spring 50K in 4:12 at 8:07 per mile pace on one of the more technical stretches of the Superior Hiking Trail.

And Mason Wright, 45 years old, just ran a thousand miles on a track in 18 days, 13 hours, and 11 minutes to raise money for single parents. Wrap your head around that one.

Then the Satisfy x Adidas shoe launch. The circle pit, the rave aesthetic, the $300 price tag, the DMs asking people to stop talking about it. We get into all of it.

The main segment is where we reveal a foundational guide to building a structured training plan. Plus we break down the actual building blocks and why they work. Easy runs, long runs, tempo and threshold, intervals, hill repeats, recovery, strides -- we break down what each one does, how they fit together in a week, and how to build a plan from your first 50K all the way up to hundred mile distances. Tanner also walks through the four phases of a training block from foundation building to race day execution.

If you've been running without a real plan and want to get intentional... you're in the right place.

LINKS

🏃 Cocodona Panel Discussion + Q&A: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/18v2co18Ff/⁠

🏁 Cruel Jewel 100: https://www.crueljewel100.com

🏁 Superior Spring Trail Race: https://www.rocksteadyrunning.com/superior-spring

🧵 Satisfy Running: https://www.satisfyrunning.com

📊 Final Surge Training App: https://www.finalsurge.com

Garrett & Tanner are back for double-digit episode 10 of The Threshold Podcast - the podcast for the everyday runner.

We kick it off with Free Trail 2025 trail performances of the year and there are some names on the list that surprised us, and a few notable ones missing. Jim Walmsley had three performances of the year while reportedly battling injury heading into Western States. Ludwig Pomeré won Hard Rock at 50 years old. Ann Flowers broke a 31-year course record at Leadville. David Roche broke his own Leadville course record and didn't crack the list. The backyard ultra world got almost no mention. We get into all of it and make a promise to do our own version for 2026.

Then... headphones or no headphones. It started as a debate and ended up being more of a conversation about what we're actually running for in the first place.

The main segment is something runners don't talk about enough. The internal side of this sport. Ourfour pillars: psychology, identity and ego, culture, and meaning and purpose. Why people show up to start lines. What imposter syndrome feels like when you're new to ultras. How the mind can DNF a race before it even starts. Post-race emptiness and why it's real. The fine line between confidence and arrogance. What Strava is doing to the way we run and whether we'd still run without it. Both Garrett and Tanner get honest about addiction, purpose, and what running has given them that nothing else could.

We also announce the first ever Threshold run club meetup on May 23rd at Crowhassen Park Reserve in Rogers, Minnesota. All paces, all distances. Details below.

If you've ever wondered what your running buddies feel inside, you're in the right place.

LINKS

🏃 Free Trail 2025 Performances of the Year:

https://freetrail.com/trail-performances-of-the-year-2025/

https://freetrail.com/trail-runner-of-the-year-2025-first/

📍 Threshold Run Club — May 23rd, 8am

Crow Hassan Trailhead, Rogers, MN45.18529525818769, -93.62975588049817

Tanner and Garrett are back for episode 9, where we cover the most comprehensive Midwest race preview you'll find anywhere.

We start with Cocodona 250. Rachel Entrekin won the race overall. New course record: 56 hours, 9 minutes, 28 seconds. We break down her race, the full podium, the fueling, what Mount to Coast is building, and whether a sub-50-hour Cocodona is eventually possible. We also take a moment at the top to acknowledge the tragedy that occurred during the race.

Then we get into Jim Walmsley taking a Hoka sponsor bib into Western States. He didn't run a Golden Ticket race. He asked for help and was honest about it. The field might be the deepest in Western States history. We talk through who's dangerous and why.

We spend some time on Mark Dowdle signing with BPN. We're rooting for him. The question is what happens if the brand starts needing the content more than the results.

We also announce something BIG. The Threshold boys are eyeing an FKT on 108 miles of paved trail through central Minnesota. We break down what an FKT is and what we're targeting. More details coming.

The back half of the episode is the Midwest race preview. Race by race, early season through late fall, across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. 5K to 200 miles. Gateway races, Western States qualifiers, backyard ultras, and a race where every finisher picks a random safety deposit box at the finish line. Races we've run, races we're running this year, and a few we can't stop thinking about.

If you've been trying to figure out what Midwest running actually has to offer, you're in the right place.

RACES MENTIONED — EPISODE 9

🏁 Zumbro Endurance Run (Theilman, MN — April)https://www.rocksteadyrunning.com/zumbro

🏁 Chippewa Trail Races (New Auburn, WI — April)https://www.chippewatrailraces.com

🏁 Elm Creek Backyard Ultra (Maple Grove, MN — April)https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116082

🏁 Rumble on the Ridge (Central Wisconsin — Spring)https://www.driftlessendurance.com/rumble-on-the-ridge

🏁 Superior Spring Trail Race (North Shore, MN — May)https://www.rocksteadyrunning.com/superior-spring

🏁 Endless Summer Trail Series (Minneapolis Metro — Summer Wednesdays)https://www.rocksteadyrunning.com/endless-summer-trail-series

🏁 Kettle Moraine 100 (La Grange, WI — June) (Western States Qualifier)https://www.kmseries.com

🏁 Six Days in the Dome (Milwaukee, WI — June)https://www.sixdaysinthedome.com

🏁 Black Hills 100 (Sturgis, SD — June)https://www.blackhills100.com

🏁 Afton Trail Run (Afton State Park, MN — July 4th)https://www.rocksteadyrunning.com/afton

🏁 Gene Curnow Trail Marathon (Duluth, MN — July)https://www.voyagerultra.com/gene-curnow

🏁 Voyager Ultra Trail Marathon (Jay Cooke State Park, MN — July)https://www.voyagerultra.com

🏁 Marquette Trail 50 (Marquette, MI — August)https://www.queencityrunning.com/marquette-trail-50

🏁 Baby Backyard 5K to 50K (Elm Creek Park Reserve, MN — August 8)https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=119955

🏁 Midwest States 100 (Westboro, WI — August)https://www.midweststates100.com

🏁 Superior Fall Trail Race (North Shore, MN — September) (Western States Qualifier)https://www.rocksteadyrunning.com/superior-fall

🏁 Cowboy 200 (Norfolk to Valentine, NE — September 25)https://www.cowboy200.com

🏁 Fire Tower Trail Races (St. Croix State Park, MN — October 3)https://www.northernwandererevents.com/fire-tower

🏁 Break the Bank (Duluth, MN — October 10)https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122345

🏁 Mines of Spain 100 (Dubuque, IA — October 16-17)https://www.suntrailrunning.com/mines-of-spain

🏁 Wild Duluth Races (Duluth, MN — October 17-18)https://www.wildduluth.com

Garrett and Tanner are back for episode 8 of The Threshold Podcast, the podcast for the everyday runner.

We kick things off with the Rundown: Legends Backyard Ultra just wrapped in Belgium with a 114-yard, 475-mile finish that spanned nearly five days. Sydney's Backyard Ultra drew 645 starters and produced one of the more unhinged race stories you'll hear this year. And Sebastian Sawe ran 1:59:41 at London, the first official sub-2 marathon, on two slices of toast and a cup of tea.

Next, we get into Cocodona 250, starting May 4. We break down both fields, talk through who's dangerous and why, and give our full podium picks for men's and women's. Courtney Dauwalter was leading overall last year before dropping. Kilian Korth has three straight DNFs despite being one of the best 200-mile runners alive. Max Jolliffe has unfinished business. Rachel Entrekin is the two-time defending champ and she's coming back. This race has more storylines than any 200-miler we've seen.

Finally, we close out with something we've been wanting to do for a while — our Top 10 trail running gear essentials. We go item by item through what we actually run in, what's made a real difference, and what we're still figuring out. From a $25 Amazon gaiter to why you need to ditch the Apple Watch, this is the gear conversation we wish someone had with us sooner.

If you're trying to keep up with what's happening in the sport, follow Cocodona, or figure out what gear is actually worth it... you're in the right place.

GEAR LINKS — EPISODE 8

🧤 GaitersAonijie Breathable Trail Gaiters — https://www.amazon.com/s?k=aonijie+trail+gaiters

🥢 Trekking PolesBlack Diamond Distance Z Carbon Poles — https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/distance-z-trekking-poles/LEKI Poles — https://www.leki.com/us/trekking/

💧 HydrationSalomon ADV Skin 6 Running Vest — https://www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/adv-skin-6.html

🔦 HeadlampPetzl Swift RL — https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/PERFORMANCE-headlamps/SWIFT-RLFenix HL18R-T — https://www.fenixlighting.com/products/fenix-hl18r-t-rechargeable-headlamp

⚡ FuelSiS Beta Fuel Gel — https://www.scienceinsport.com/us/shop-sis/go-range/beta-fuel

🎧 HeadphonesShokz OpenRun Pro 2 — https://shokz.com/products/openrunpro2

🧦 SocksInjinji Trail Toe Socks — https://www.injinji.com/collections/trailPair of Thieves Athletic Socks — https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=pair+of+thieves+athletic+socks

⌚ GPS WatchGarmin Fenix 7X Solar — https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/741530/

👟 ShoesNike Wildhorse — https://www.nike.com/t/wildhorse-trail-running-shoesSalomon GRVL 4 — https://www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/gravel-4.htmlAltra Olympus 5 Trail — https://www.altrarunning.com/footwear/olympusNike ACG Zegama Trail — https://www.nike.com/t/acg-zegama-trail-running-shoesBrooks Cascadia Elite — https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/cascadia-elite-trail-running-shoes

Garrett DuPont & Tanner Elmore are back for episode 7 of The Threshold Podcast, joined by James Smith to break down the Elm Creek Backyard Ultra in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

This one is a full race recap.

We get into what the backyard ultra actually feels like once you’re in it — the loops, the pacing, the decisions, and how quickly things can shift over the course of a long day (and night) of running.

We talk through how the race played out for each of us, what changed as the hours stacked up, and what started to matter more the deeper we got into it. From pacing decisions to managing time between loops, this is a real look at how the format unfolds in the moment.

It covers:

• what a backyard ultra really looks like hour by hour
• how pacing and decision-making evolve deep into the race
• what starts to matter more as the race goes on
• the role of crew, community, and support during long efforts

Also in this episode:

• a full breakdown of the Elm Creek Backyard Ultra and what makes this Minnesota race special
• shoutout to the race directors and volunteers who make the magic happen
• James Smith joining the conversation with his perspective on the race and format

If you’ve been curious about backyard ultras, thinking about running one, or just want to understand the in's and out's... you're in the right place.

In this inspiring episode, ultra runner Nick Steel shares his incredible journey of pushing physical and mental limits through relentless ultra marathons, overcoming personal struggles, and finding purpose in running. Discover how his mindset, community support, and unique challenges shape his pursuit of the youngest athlete to complete one hundred 100-mile races.

We Cover:

• Nick Steel's ultra running journey and goals
• Overcoming sickness and physical challenges during races
• Innovative challenges like the Water Tower Ultra Week
• The mental and emotional aspects of ultra endurance
• Community support and the impact of running for others

Follow Nick:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicksteelruns/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NicholasSteelEnduranceStrava: https://strava.app.link/WizonvCRt2b