The Tales on the Towpath’s Podcast

What does it take to become one of the most elite and consistent backyard ultramarathon runners on the planet? In this episode, we sit down with Scott Snell, currently ranked #36 in the world on Yardlore. Scott is a 3x Capital Backyard Champion and set a personal best at the 2024 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships, where he pushed to a staggering  88 yards (366+ miles) to capture a World Titl...

What does it take to run a mile while chugging four beers in under six minutes? In this episode, we are joined by absolute royalty in the track-and-chug scene: Elizabeth Laseter. Elizabeth is a three-time Beer Mile World Champion and one of only two women in human history to officially break the mythical 6-minute barrier in the event, sporting a mind-blowing personal best of 5:56.90. While the bee...

What happens when you combine an elite work ethic, infectious positive energy, and absolute bravery on the trails? You get Maeve Thistel, aka "Maeve the Brave" (@maevethebrave). Maeve has been completely tearing up the Mid-Atlantic ultrarunning scene, seemingly setting a new course record or climbing the top step of the podium every single time she toes a starting line. In this episode, we sit dow...

How do you survive—and thrive during—eight races in just seven weeks? In this episode, Adam and Katie chat with Chris about his spring racing calendar. Chris just wrapped up a spring racing block that truly tested every gear in his engine. Chris lined up week after week to conquer an incredibly diverse array of challenges. We dive deep into the logistics, the physical toll, and the mental grit req...

What does it take to rack up over 170 ultramarathon finishes while never missing a dance recital? In this episode, we sit down with the incredibly prolific John Calabrese (known to the running community as @breezytrailhead ). John is famous for his packed race calendar, but behind the jaw-dropping UltraSignup stats is a masterclass in time management, dedication, and family. John opens up about ho...

Every hour, on the hour, a whistle blows, a group of runners heads out to complete a 4.167-mile loop, and the clock resets. To the outside observer, a Backyard Ultra like the More Miles Last One Standing Challenge seems straightforward: you just keep going until you can't. But behind that simple loop lies a complex web of logistics, mental warfare, and physical demands. In this episode, Katie is p...

What does it actually take to run 250 miles across the rugged terrain of Arizona? As it turns out, it takes a village—or at the very least, a rock-solid partnership. In this episode, we sit down with West Virginia ultrarunner Alisha Moreno, who recently crossed the finish line at the legendary Cocodona 250, alongside her secret weapon: her husband and crew chief, Donald Marsh. We trace their journ...

As the temperature climbs, does it feel like your normal easy pace suddenly requires an Olympic effort? You aren't imagining it—summer running is a completely different beast. In this episode, Adam, Chris and Katie are diving deep into the brutal reality of summer training. We break down the fascinating physiology of why your body fights you so hard in high temperatures, and more importantly, how...

On May 9th, 2LoweRunCo hosted the annual Tiki Trot 5K, Beer Mile and Tiki-Tizer  in the Bowman Business Park in Williamsport, MD. In this mini-episode, Adam recaps the race day results and Katie shares here Course Record and Personal Best Beer Mile experience. You can follow all of Katie's beer mile training on her Instagram at @katielowe1213 or @2lowerunco.

This week, Adam, Chris, and Katie are joined by local legends Carissa and Jeff Schneider. In a throwback to February, we brought this competitive couple on to talk about how they manage running and family life on the farm and their relationship backstory is one you will not want to miss.  If you've ever wondered what its like to go from "Couch Surfer" to 5K, you will want to listen to this episode...

Adam, Chris, and Katie are joined by Karrah and Kelsey this week to talk about their experience at the Eugene Marathon, running across the country, and how they work together in training and races. Be sure to listen carefully for the surprise twist Adam brings to the episode.

Woody Snoberger is one of West Virginia's most accomplished marathon runners and recently clocked a 2:37 at the Boston Marathon. Woody joins Adam, Chris, and Katie to talk about his Boston experience and how he balances family, work, life, and a lot of running.   In 2018, Woody finished in the top 100 at the Boston Marathon that saw some of the worst conditions in race history; heavy freezing rain...

Adam and Katie return from the 130th Boston Marathon and share their experiences from the weekend. This was Adam's 7th Boston and shares what he has learned in his training and approach to the race. Katie shares her perspective as the 'captain' of the race support team and just how different her experience is from what you might expect.   If you want to watch more RoboRunners from the Beijing Half...

The 2LoweRunCo Team had an amazing weekend of racing at the Cherry Blossom 10 miler and 5k, the Delaware Running Festival, the Buck Ridge Burn, and of course, the Gorge Waterfalls 100K. This episode highlights all the running success that was had and Chris gives his account of running for 15 hours over rocks and mountains along the Columbia River. Be sure to stick around to the end for a preview o...

What a weekend for the 2LoweRunCo team. Adam put 4.167 miles on repeat for more than a day and Katie kept up her winning ways with another PR in the half.

Chris and Adam preview the Gorge Waterfalls 100K - this will be Chris's first 100K and Western States qualifying race.  The 100K course feature a variety of surfaces types, primarily rocky semi-technical singletrack mixed with more smooth dirt singletrack and offers a world-class scenic tour through the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. There is 11,000ft of elevation gain ove...

It's finally here! On March 28, Adam will toe the line against some of the best ultrarunners on the East Coast at the Capital Backyard Ultra . In this episode we dive into his training and race day plans and whether or not his toenails survive the weekend.   For near real-time updates and commentary, check out Chris's Instagram  throughout the weekend.

Sports writer Andy Mason joins Adam and Chris to talk running, racing and about his new book, Hagerstown vs the World, which captures how this small town became a national powerhouse in distance running and the runners who made that happen. You can find the book at the Next Chapter Cafe & Book Shop or online .

Adam, Chris, and Katie share their weekend race recaps and then dive into proposed changes to America's oldest Ultra - the JFK 50 . If you saw this week's news article , you won't want to miss this episode.   For more information on Adam and Katie's race, check out the The Dark Side 8 Hour Ultra And for more information on Chris's half marathon, check out Virginia Credit Union River City Half &amp...

Chris gets the race recap from Adam and Katie who share their race experience at the Wilmington marathon and half marathon  and then, Taylor Rockwell, better known as Tayrock, joins Adam, Chris, and Katie to share how a simple mindset change has taken running from a punishment to a passion. Tayrock is building an amazing community in Austin, Texas and you won’t want to miss how she is challenging...

Adam, Chris, and Katie are joined by Heidi and Carrie in part 4 of our February Running Couples Series. Heidi and Carrie give their honest reviews of different ultra formats and marathons, including which ones they will never miss. You'll definitely want to listen in as they share how they have supported each other's running journeys and how they balance their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Adam, Chris, and Special Guest Host Katie Lowe (yes she got a promotion) are joined by Adrienne and Bruce Wren to talk about their running journey, running as a family, and the entire family's big plans to tackle the Last One Standing Ultra in May.   Despite some audio issues, we think you will really enjoy this conversation.

unning, training, and racing relationship. Jennie and Matt Hardy join Adam, Chris, and Katie to talk about Ragnar racing, the Berlin Marathon, and the amazing running community that supports them. And for more information on how you can design your own running awards, check out our friends at Gleam and Glory

It's February and we are kicking off a 4 part series celebrating running couples where we will dive into how they manage their running, training, and racing relationship. In part 1, Adam and Chris are joined by Mike Martin  and Megan Curry from Hagerstown. in 2025, Mike and Megan had a goal to run the entire length of the C&O Canal Towpath. You won't want to miss them sharing tales from this a...

Join Adam, Chris, and Katie as they chat about distance challenges, runcations, and dealing with some nasty winter weather.   For more information on the Big Pecker Challenge in Key West Florida: Key West Big Pecker Challenge   Check out Outrun Us! I Dare You Challenge to see how Adam and Chris fare as they chase the final podium spot.