Gary Cantrell (aka Lazarus Lake) is the last rebel of ultra running.

We love the professionalization of trail running but we don't want it all to go that way. In order for that to be interesing, the world of underground ultra running has to live strong.

In this episode, Josh works through the stories of Popcorn Sutton and Andy Payne with Laz.

Popcorn Sutton was a moonshiner untouched by modernization. He stood in stark contrast to the Jack Daniels and Jim Beams of the world. They work to maximize revenue and total annual output where Popcorn kept doing things the same way.

Andy Payne won the Bunion Derby in 1928 - a race across America with 275 participants. He also happened to be Laz's Dad's neighbor.

Laz is a blend of the two figures with a rock and roll-type status preserving a type of heart of running all its own.

Enjoy.

Presented by Kiprun.

Listen to Scene One (the Races of Laz Lake) on Spotify or Apple.

----

1. Borderlands.cc | Podcast Network
2. Sign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letter
3. Wylder is now available on iOS + Android.
4. Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

Josh flew to Bell Buckle, TN to interview Lazarus Lake (aka Gary Cantrell) at his home and backdrop to Big's (and Little's) Backyard Ultra.

There are three scenes to The Lazarus Lakes Interviews and in this first one they discuss the races. You all know about Barkleys Marathons and the Backyard Ultras but what about the other races like the Vol State 500k or the now deceased Idiot's Run? Or ARFTA (a race for the ages)?

To anyone who knows of Laz Lake, you will not be surprised to learn that this interview was a wild ride in and of itself. He rarely speaks concretely, almost everything is metaphorical. And once you accept that you understand that he's rarely simply talking about a tree or a cave or Jesse James' gold.

Josh went into this interview planning to uncover a PT Barnum type or an artist standing at a canvas. Instead, he found a scientist in a laboratory whose lab rats are actually ultrarunners.

He's tinkering with variables looking to uncover elements of the human spirt on one hand and on the other, he's at face value.

He's a country boy born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Presented by Kiprun.

With support from Like the Wind Magazine + Hyperlyte Liquid Performance.

----

Listen to Scene Two with Laz (the Last Rebel of Ultra Running) on Spotify or Apple or watch on YouTube

For behind the scenes and uncut content from this interview, go to our Patreon.

----

1. Borderlands.cc | Podcast Network
2. Sign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letter
3. Wylder is now available on iOS + Android.
4. Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026

Dean Karnazes brings light to the world through running. Dean's books and myth motivated many to start running for the first time or pushed them to run further.

He's been an amassador for running the world over and on a scale no other runner has enjoyed. In this episode we dive into his appearances on Conan O'briend, David Letterman, and the ESPYs.

When he started running it was much simpler. It was really just a pair of shoes and a place to run. But that's not necessarily the good old days. Today there are more people running than ever. And because foundational he believes that running is a gift to all who do it, the growth in every aspect of the industry is net good.

Presented by Kiprun.

----

1. Borderlands.cc | Podcast Network
2. Sign up: analog*Borderlands [new]letter
3. Wylder is now available on iOS + Android.
4. Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races | 30 May 2026