Episode
Trail Running Culture Doesn't Scale | Bob Crowley's Response
- Published
- Jun 22, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1375
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://www.borderlands.cc/recent-podcast-episodes/bob
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Summary
Western States and UTMB are often framed as opposite visions for the future of trail running. One protects through limits. The other protects through growth. But after publishing an episode on that tension, I received an unexpected response from Bob Crowley, former President of the International Trail Running Association (ITRA). Bob argues that both sides may be focused on the wrong thing. What follows is a conversation about culture, stewardship, local races, and whether the values that built trail running can survive success. Somewhere along the way, the debate stops being about Western States and UTMB and becomes something much bigger. Please give us a follow, rate the podcast, and give a review. If you’re new to Borderlands, start here . Resources / Links Western States Wants to Protect, UTMB Wants to Grow Bob's Full Op-ed Borderlands.cc La French Trail Related Episodes Ultra Running isn't Just Running Presented by Kiprun . ---- Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it. Watch on YouTube Read on Substack