# The Problem With Professional Trail and Ultra Running

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/borderlands-trail-and-ultra-running-6921910/the-problem-with-professional-trail-and-ultra-running
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/borderlands-trail-and-ultra-running-6921910/the-problem-with-professional-trail-and-ultra-running.md
Podcast: [Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running](https://stenobird.com/podcast/borderlands-trail-and-ultra-running-6921910)
Published: 2026-04-10T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.borderlands.cc/recent-podcast-episodes/trail-running-has-a-fan-problem
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3e7209db-56d6-4870-89f0-1e119d1085c6.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/borderlands-trail-and-ultra-running-6921910/episodes/the-problem-with-professional-trail-and-ultra-running
Duration seconds: 698

## Resource

Trail&nbsp;running&nbsp;is&nbsp;growing&nbsp;fast,&nbsp;but&nbsp;is&nbsp;it&nbsp;actually&nbsp;scaling?&nbsp;If&nbsp;you’ve&nbsp;ever&nbsp;felt&nbsp;like&nbsp;the&nbsp;sport&nbsp;looks&nbsp;bigger&nbsp;than&nbsp;it&nbsp;is,&nbsp;or&nbsp;struggled&nbsp;to&nbsp;follow&nbsp;it&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;fan,&nbsp;this&nbsp;episode&nbsp;breaks&nbsp;down&nbsp;why.&nbsp;This&nbsp;is&nbsp;for&nbsp;runners&nbsp;and&nbsp;industry&nbsp;insiders&nbsp;trying&nbsp;to&nbsp;understand&nbsp;what’s&nbsp;really&nbsp;happening&nbsp;beneath&nbsp;the&nbsp;surface&nbsp;of&nbsp;trail&nbsp;running’s&nbsp;growth. Josh&nbsp;unpacks&nbsp;the&nbsp;difference&nbsp;between&nbsp;participation&nbsp;and&nbsp;fandom,&nbsp;why&nbsp;brand&nbsp;investment&nbsp;is&nbsp;propping&nbsp;up&nbsp;the&nbsp;pro&nbsp;layer,&nbsp;and&nbsp;what’s&nbsp;missing&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;sport&nbsp;to&nbsp;become&nbsp;something&nbsp;people&nbsp;actually&nbsp;follow.&nbsp;Western&nbsp;States&nbsp;and&nbsp;UTMB&nbsp;become&nbsp;the&nbsp;proving&nbsp;ground&nbsp;for&nbsp;a&nbsp;bigger&nbsp;question&nbsp;that&nbsp;could&nbsp;define&nbsp;the&nbsp;future&nbsp;of&nbsp;trail&nbsp;running. This&nbsp;one’s&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;runners&nbsp;who&nbsp;love&nbsp;the&nbsp;sport&nbsp;and&nbsp;want&nbsp;to&nbsp;understand&nbsp;where&nbsp;it’s&nbsp;actually&nbsp;headed. Please&nbsp;give&nbsp;us&nbsp;a&nbsp;follow,&nbsp;rate&nbsp;the&nbsp;podcast,&nbsp;and&nbsp;give&nbsp;a&nbsp;review. Topics&nbsp;/&nbsp;Timestamps 00:11&nbsp;-&nbsp;The&nbsp;Illusion&nbsp;of&nbsp;Growth&nbsp;in&nbsp;Trail&nbsp;Running 02:05&nbsp;-&nbsp;Understanding&nbsp;the&nbsp;Growth&nbsp;of&nbsp;Trail&nbsp;Running 03:33&nbsp;-&nbsp;The&nbsp;Emergence&nbsp;of&nbsp;Fandom&nbsp;in&nbsp;Sports 06:58&nbsp;-&nbsp;The&nbsp;Disconnect&nbsp;Between&nbsp;Fans&nbsp;and&nbsp;Athletes 08:…

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## Transcript

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