ABOUT THIS EPISODE
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
