Last Soul Ultra: The Race That Broke The Internet...

I sat down with George Rickwood to break down the Last Soul Ultra, the backyard ultra that took over the internet. We cover Mark Dowdle's last-minute private jet dash across Europe to complete 94 laps, Ello's heartbreaking collapse in the final stretch, and the biggest moments, controversies, and characters from one of the most-watched ultrarunning events ever. We also dive into George's own Backyard Ultra disqualification drama, the debate around live coverage in ultrarunning, sleep deprivation and race-day mind games, and George's next big challenge: a 24-hour track ultra.

George's first appearance: open.spotify.com/episode/380ch5ewRbfsCP8tXo7lJ…
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00:00 Intro & Last Soul Ultra Overview
02:17 Meet the Founder & the Team Behind the Race
03:52 Backyard Ultra Format & Why It's So Popular
07:46 The Elite Field & How the Race Got Global Coverage
10:11 Mark Dowdle's Private Jet Sprint to the Start Line
13:20 How Mark Dowdle Went Viral During the Race
15:17 Backyard Ultra Coverage vs. Badwater 135 Debate
17:54 Max Jaluf's Badwater Controversy & Course Record
19:07 Mark Dowdle's Wild 94-Lap Finish
20:50 The Infamous Loop 87 Mind Games
21:04 Elo's Emotional Second-Place Collapse
23:19 Mark Dowdle vs. Harvey Lewis: Contrasting Mindsets
28:19 Sleep Deprivation, Hallucinations & Caffeine Strategy
30:35 Phil Gore's Project 168 Solo Backyard Ultra
32:38 Personal Relationships & Pacing in Ultra Running
36:00 Live Call With International Commentator Bryony
46:04 George's Suffolk Backyard Ultra Disqualification Story
50:31 The Russia Backyard Ultra Disqualification Scandal
54:31 George's Next Challenge: 24-Hour Track Ultra
58:46 Room 101: Ultra Running Pet Peeves
1:06:34 Goggins vs. Dowdle: Comparing Ultra Running Mindsets
1:09:01 George's Career Change & Move Into YouTube
1:13:28 Could Cal Qualify for the Olympics?
1:17:12 Injury Prevention: Sleep, Strength & Nutrition
1:20:00 Marathon du Médoc & Closing Thoughts
1:21:00 Outro & Next Week's Elo Interview