Episode 495: Performance Enhancing Drugs In Ultramarathon | Kilian Korth
About this episode
Kilian Korth joined the show to have a discussion around ultrarunning's growing professionalization without sophisticated regulated drug testing, the limits and trade-offs of WADA/USADA-style regimes, and why "doping" as a blanket term obscures intent and severity. We unpack gray areas such as THC thresholds, TUE complexity for common medications, transparency vs backlash, influencer incentives, and the future pressure regenerative medicine and technology (e.g., super shoes) may place on sport rules.
Sponsors:
Episode Summary & Notes: Zach Bitter & Kilian Korth on PEDs, incentives, and doping in ultrarunning
Context & framing
Activism, incentives & tribalism
Core problem in ultrarunning
BPC-157 and gray areas
Testing realities & practical challenges
Possible paths forward discussed
Focus should prioritize the small professional/elite tier where financial and competitive incentives are highest over age-group minutiae.
Future regenerative medicine and longevity interventions will force further adaptation; sport has already accepted large performance gains from technology (super shoes) more readily than internal/medical ones.
Influencers & broader culture
Closing notes