BPN’s Full Response Regarding the Border Patrol Patch Photo at 2025 G1M Ultra
Earlier this week, I emailed BPN to ask about a photo (screenshot above) they posted (and later deleted) during Lap 1 of the G1M Ultra that included a U.S. Border Patrol patch next to a jar of “Admit One” tokens. Some in the trail and ultrarunning community viewed the image as politically charged, and BPN later deleted the post.
Below is their full response.
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your email. We appreciate you reaching out for our perspective on the situation, and we’re happy to speak to it.
First and foremost, the patch in the photo belonged to one of the racers. They set it on the table while placing their poker chip in the jar and the photo was taken before it was removed. Its inclusion was unintentional—just a moment of excitement as the race kicked off, with BPN showing support for our runners.
As a brand, we do not promote political opinions in our emails, social media, or any brand-wide communications. That said, BPN has roots in the U.S. military, and we proudly support our troops—this is a pillar of our identity that will always remain.
Our mission is to empower anyone committed to their training goals—regardless of beliefs, background, or identity. We don’t take sides; our focus is on helping you improve your health and performance, no matter who you are or where you’re starting from.
Regarding the removal of the photo, this decision reflects our commitment to remaining neutral so that everyone feels welcome. Once the excitement of Lap 1 settled and we realized the image could be interpreted as a statement—albeit unintentionally—we chose to take it down.
We are still in awe of the attention the Ultra received and understand why this moment gained traction. BPN never intended to upset the Ultra community—we were simply there to support our runners.
Thank you for your kind words about the race’s success. We’re excited to see see this thing grow!
For more context on this event, see my brief writeup in Issue 42 of The Ultra Minute.