Explore every episode of the podcast Dirt Church Radio Trail Running
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Sutton - Ain’t No Mountain High Enough | Dirt Church Radio 349 | 04 Nov 2025 | 01:22:33 | |
Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running. --- --- --- Episode Links Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter The Squadrun 4-Week Training Trial for DCR Listeners! Dirt Church Radio on Instagram Enjoy! Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake | |||
| Helene Barron- Beyond The Finish Line | Dirt Church Radio 348 | 21 Oct 2025 | 01:11:32 | |
Best laid plans and all that…We had a bumper episode lined up for you this week, with a lot of stuff to talk about, and an amazing GRE, that was even before we got to Andrew’s conversation with the mighty Helene Barron. Annoying story short, our entire episode got zoinked by the AWS outage. Perfect. So please enjoy this distilled episode of DCR, with the one and only Helene Barron, elite trail athlete, high-performance physiotherapist, coach, mother, wife, sister, friend, and legend. The trail exploits are but a small part of Helene’s story, as she has recently gone through a two-year battle with tongue cancer. Andrew talks with Helene about overcoming this most serious challenge, and a whole to more on this episode of Dirt Church Radio. Excellent Stuff. Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running. --- --- --- Episode Links Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter The Squadrun 4-Week Training Trial for DCR Listeners! Dirt Church Radio on Instagram Enjoy! Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake | |||
| For Those About To Rock, We Salute You | Aid Station 37 | 22 Aug 2025 | 00:42:29 | |
Listen in for a timely reminder before you begin stacking the bricks for the season ahead. We also talk about gear — how much is too much, or too little? And when does something that should aid you actually get in the way? Plus, we have a listener-facilitated dolphin skull update. Excellent stuff. Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running. --- --- --- Episode Links Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter The Squadrun 4-Week Training Trial for DCR Listeners! Dirt Church Radio on Instagram Enjoy! Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake | |||
| Cath Wallis: Find your Adventure | 12 Sep 2023 | 01:26:10 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Cath Wallis lost herself in the midst of a career and the focus of raising family. Standing at the threshold of middle age, Cath honestly didn’t know who she was anymore, and felt “invisible”. Growing up not-sporty, Cath felt that her foray into the world of ultra endurance events may be short lived, but six years, 9 ultramarathons, an intercontinental swim, and countless adventures later, Cath has proved herself wrong. This week, Matt spoke with Cath, who as well as all this is an Athletics Australia accredited coach and leader of Find Your Adventure, a community for people who want to find themselves through adventure. We talk about Cath’s history and beginnings, the several multi-day desert adventures Cath has engaged in, and how a self-described “ordinary”* person can complete some extremely extraordinary things. Plus, for your listening pleasure we’ve got Daniel Jones calling in from Chamonix to run down his incredible 12th place at UTMB following his 5th place at Western States. Best Enjoyed Running. Episode Links Gavin Clifton takes on the Furber Steps Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Naseby: A great race, great distances, and lessons learned from a DNF. | 29 Aug 2023 | 01:31:42 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week we feature the great, the good, and the not so good from the Great Naseby Water Race. This event has been an Aotearoa trail running institution and has been on the bucket list for us for ages, so it was a privilege to get down to Central Otago and experience the trails and community of this special event. We catch up with one of the race founders and surely one of the community’s kindest souls, Aileen Sinclair, with 200 mile winners Shannon-Leigh Litt (with a course record to boot!) and Brandon Purdue, 100 mile winner John Bayne, and the pride of Wānaka, Brook van Reenen. Also, Matt counsels Eugene as he reflects on the lessons he learned from his 100 mile DNF - that’s right, sometimes those buckets on your list have holes in them. Best Enjoyed Running. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Andy Carruthers: Tararua S-K, the movie and the magic | 15 Aug 2023 | 01:21:40 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week Matt has the pleasure of speaking to Andy Carruthers, Wellington adventure lover, runner, and creator of the Tararua S-K movie. The S-K, or Schorman- Kaitoki, is a tramping route in the Tararua Range with a distance of approximately 80km and with 6800m of elevation gain. Conceived as a weekend challenge in the 1960’s by the four main tramping clubs in Wellington as to who could do it in a single weekend, the desire for people to travel faster and lighter has only grown in the preceding 60 years. Matt speaks to Andy about his love affair with the S-K, his history with the route, his successes and challenges, and his decision to document the route and the people who have informed this most legendary of mountain journeys . Best Enjoyed Running. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Ash Bartholomew: Wrong Turns, Redemption, and being Lucy's Dad | 01 Aug 2023 | 01:05:09 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week by popular demand Eugene and Matt speak to Ash Bartholomew, who triggered a worldwide explosion of “it’s suddenly being very dusty in here” as he rolled into the Placer Track at the end of the Western States Endurance Run two minutes over the 30 hour cut off accompanied by his daughter, Lucy (yes, that Lucy). Ash had started strong but a wrong turn in the final stages cost him dearly . We talk to Ash about his life spent running, and how what started off as a self-described “selfish” hobby has led to an incredible relationship and many miles shared with Lucy over the years and a ringside seat to her journey as a global ultramarathon star. Ash speaks with fondness how his boys Josh, and now Thomas, have also picked up the running bug, with Josh smashing a 13 hour Ultra Trail Australia, and Thomas soon to undertake his first marathon. Honest, reflective, and humble, this is one conversation that you won't want to miss. Best Enjoyed Running. | |||
| Dan Jones, Living the Dream: From Whakatāne to Western States. | 18 Jul 2023 | 01:17:48 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene and Matt have the extreme pleasure of speaking to returning champion Dan Jones about his incredible 5th place finish at the 2023 Western States Endurance Run. When last we spoke to Dan on DCR he’d journeyed to Kenya to hone his craft with the hope of representing New Zealand at the marathon. What was supposed to be a relatively short trip ended up being months when the world shut down due to covid. This is when Dan first went down the Western States rabbit hole. Fast forward a couple of years and with a golden ticket entry under his belt after the Tarawera Ultramarathon 102km win Dan was ready to go. With his trademark enthusiasm and complete lack of pretense Dan talks to us about his build up, his efforts to get the final 1%, his training in the States with his close friend Hayden Hawks, and the race itself. We both had sore faces from smiling so much. This episode is a wee ripper. PLUS Dan tells us about what he’s up to next, you heard it here first. Best Enjoyed Running. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Sam Harvey, Never Surrender: The psychology and physiology of running for 101 hours | 04 Jul 2023 | 01:24:51 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene and Matt sit down to speak with Sam Harvey fresh off his return from Dead Cow Gully. Sam was competing at the Australian Backyard Masters and managed a world record equalling 101 laps over four days and 677-odd kilometres. We talk to Sam about being (in his words) unreasonable, and what he felt going in, versus what he learned going out. Sam is (again, by his own admission) a fighter, and we talk about this desire to scrap with literally everyone and everything with his burgeoning sense of development of self and transcendence through days and days of pain and connection on a deeper level with others on the course. Sam discusses what made him stop, and why it’s eating him. We hear of his excitement at the upcoming Big’s Backyard in Tennessee and we (in our most avuncular manner) attempt to dissuade Sam from competing in the Krazie K’s backyard a week after Dead Cow Gully. *Spoiler Alert* the little bastard went and won it with 42 laps. Best Enjoyed Running. | |||
| George Murray: How a “Weekend Warrior” became the UTA 100 Champion | 20 Jun 2023 | 01:10:15 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene and Matt speak to UTA 100 Champion George Murray. Originally from the South Island town of Blenheim, George has taken a circuitous journey to be at the beginning of an amazing journey, from his first love of mountain biking, pivoting through to road marathons, then onto the trails. George’s approach to training could be considered unconventional due to his week-on-week-off schedule working in the mines. George talks us through the race, his mindset going in, and the simplicity with which he approached the day, and the result that spoke for itself. Best enjoyed whilst running. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Alex Bezzina, The Lost Hobbit: How to take on Te Araroa (and become Lord of the Rings) | 06 Jun 2023 | 01:14:39 | |
Kia ora e te whānau.This week Eugene and Matt speak with Alex Bezzina who has completed the FKT for the northbound Te Araroa Trail – 3000km in 60 days travelling from Bluff to Cape Reinga. Alex fell in love with running during lockdown and was Inspired by hearing the story of Brooke Thomas’ Te Araroa Southbound FKT. The added impetus for Alex was that he is a massive LOTR fan and therefore is rather enamoured by the topography of the central North Island, so Northbound it was. Having convinced his dad (who, to be fair didn’t need much) and embarking on a training regime with Adam Keen of Aerobic Edge Alex was off on his journey. There was also the small matter of attempting to raise $30,000 for NZ Forest and Bird whilst he was at it. This is an amazing conversation recounting an incredible journey. Alex remains curious, and full of gratitude, which makes his achievement all the more righteous. Best enjoyed whilst running. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Sophie Power: Taking it Back | 23 May 2023 | 01:12:27 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene speaks with Sophie Power. Sophie is an ultrarunner who has recently been announced in the Great Britain team for the world 24 hour champs, after setting a lifetime best of 235.739 km. Sophie shot to global fame after the 2018 UTMB when she was photographed breastfeeding her 3 month old at an aid station. The photo went viral and Sophie started speaking out - she had only lined up for the race because, at the time, UTMB wouldn’t allow for a deferral because of pregnancy* … although it would for some injuries. Sophie has set up SheRaces, an organization that fights to change the way that women are viewed and treated in racing, and they are getting results. She’s now got three children and has been very open about her postpartum returns to running. Eugene talks to Sophie all about this, as well as how she fits training into her busy life, and her favourite races including Spartathlon. Best enjoyed whilst running. *This policy has now been changed. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| UTA 2023 Special: 15 years of Blue Mountains Goodness | 16 May 2023 | 01:12:29 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. *We acknowledge the Gundungarra people, the traditional custodians of the land that this podcast was recorded on, and pay respect to their elders past, present, and emerging*. Stop what you are doing and go run in the Blue Mountains … it’s really just that good … and what follows is a blast of a podcast detailing the epicness of the 15th running of UTA. Matt and special guest host Ali Pottinger break down the four days of the festival from some very scenic locations (ha!), the traditional DCR running of all the things before our 12-hour night shift takes place and we also bring to you the UTA elite Q&A featuring Scotty Hawker, Troy Sachs, Charlie Hamilton, and Lucy Bartholomew. Best enjoyed whilst running. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Phil Gore – To Infinity And Beyond | Dirt Church Radio 338 | 12 Aug 2025 | 01:17:21 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This time, they didn’t just flirt with the record — they obliterated it. Both sailed past the previous world mark, with Phil taking the win (and the record) in a staggering 119 yards. Before the race, there was talk of 150 yards (laps, for those playing at home), and if anyone looked like they had the legs and the stubbornness to do it, it was Phil. In this episode, we talk motivation, mindset, the dark art of backyard ultras, and Phil’s favourite Harvey to race. Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running. --- --- --- Episode Links Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter The Squadrun 4-Week Training Trial for DCR Listeners! Dirt Church Radio on Instagram Enjoy! Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake | |||
| Erchana Murray-Bartlett: Tip to Toe | 09 May 2023 | 01:20:53 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Running a marathon is difficult, be it a PR, a grind, a failure, or in training, 42.2km is a distance the demands respect. Imagine running one, then another, then another, then another 147 back-to-back, mainly off road, in some of the wildest country in one of the wildest places on earth. This is what we talk to Guiness world record holder (pending), nutritionist and author Erchana Murray-Bartlett about in this episode of Dirt Church Radio. We cover the why, where, and how of this amazing endevour, discover that maybe a chance meeting on a mountain can lead to beautiful things, that the ideal ratio of icecream scoops when running 150 marathons is n+1 and to never get between a wild bull and your e-bike riding mum. Best enjoyed whilst running. Episode Links Erchana Murray-Bartlett Instagram Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Malcolm Law: The Wild | 25 Apr 2023 | 01:07:16 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Mal Law is one of the best known names in the Aotearoa trail running. Mal has raised just shy of a million dollars for charity with his many multi-day adventures. Mal and his wife Sally are also known as the founders of Wild Things, the on-line trail running community beloved to many. Inspired by a fastpacking mission around the iconic Hardrock course, Mal came up with the concept for The Wild. Of course, an events company called Fusion Events which had been brought in to run the event went into liquidation in September last year, owing plenty of people plenty of money - that of course meant the race was off. Mal has now taken back the vision and operation of The Wild. Eugene and Matt have a frank and open conversation all about the trials and tribulations of the collapse of his - and many other people’s - dream last year, as well as the resurrection of the race, which will debut this December. We also talk to him about his next adventure - heading off to take on his second attempt at a sub-24 hour Bob Graham Round in the UK. Best enjoyed whilst running. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Lazarus Lake - Barkley Marathons, Big’s, and Beyond. | 14 Apr 2023 | 01:14:51 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Out the gate with a bonus episode recorded with Lazarus Lake and Shaun Collins on the last night of Laz’s stay. Gary ‘Lazarus Lake’ Cantrell is a self described “Hillbilly from Tennessee” who for the better part of 40 years has been quietly putting on the most difficult foot races on the planet. On good form and ready to wax lyrical about the fellowship of miles, the peculiarity of regional dialects, the importance of the collective, and the intrinsic worth of every athlete, this is a great conversation that we couldn’t wait to bring you. Best enjoyed whilst running. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Majell Backhausen - An End To An End | 11 Apr 2023 | 01:24:42 | |
Kia ora e te whānau.Majell Backhausen is many things to many people. To Eugene and Matt Maj is, was, and always will be the 13th person ever to come on Dirt Church Radio. Speaking to Majell is always such a pleasure, like that time we bumped into him just below Wentworth Falls at UTA, all suffused in golden light, or that time we ran into him and Martin Gaffuri at the Redwoods (again, suffused in golden light..there is a theme) Majell has an energy about him, and a love of the trails and our world that is both inspiring and encouraging. Majell talks to us about his new role at Patagonia, encourages you to cheat on us with other podcasts (we’ll allow it) and discusses his new project An End to An End, about the efforts to stop logging in the Great Forest outside of Melbourne.As with most of our conversations with Majell he is warm, engaged, and attentive, dropping knowledge from a position of deep love of our sport. As with most of our episodes this is a conversation with an incredible runner about everything but running, whilst at the same time being all about running. How’s THAT for an emancipatory praxis? Enjoy. Episode Links Majell Backhausen on Instagram Yvon Chouinard on surfer’s journal Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Martin Gaffuri - Athlete, Commentator, Coach: For the love of the sport. | 28 Mar 2023 | 01:19:25 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. You can learn a bit about a person from standing on a finish line with them through the night, and we were super lucky to have had that experience at TUM with Martin Gaffuri. We are so unbelievably stoked to bring you this conversation. It’s been a minute in the making and is well worth the wait. We spoke to Martin on the shore of Lake Hāwea, in the cradle of the mountains, with a man who is a veteran of our sport on both sides of the tape, being intimately involved in the highest echelons of trail running in performance and business. We learn about Martin’s history, the intricacies of just what it takes to put on a little race like UTMB, how Martin lost and found his love of the sport, the mental game of ultrarunning both from the performance and contractual side, with a side bonus of what his old mate R. Croft of Stillwater, West Coast, is up to. Uplifting, wise, and informative, Martin is the real deal. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Richard Askwith - Fell runner and author of Feet In The Clouds on the race against time. | 14 Mar 2023 | 01:16:28 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Not to gush, but if Eugene and Matt did ever start a DCR book club, the first book in the curriculum would be Feet In The Clouds by Richard Askwith. For years we discussed inviting Richard on, but never had the courage to do so, until by happy chance we were prompted by a DCR listener. As well as being an author, Richard is a runner, journalist, and writer. He’s most famous for Feet in the Clouds, a gorgeous book about the fell-running scene in the United Kingdom, but he’s published so much brilliant writing on running - Today We Die a Little about Zatopek is one of Eugene’s favourite books of all time. His latest book is The Race Against Time, about ageing and running. Eugene and Matt caught up with him at his home where he was quite bemused about the fact a trail running podcast down here would want to chat with him. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Nancy Jiang - What it took to win Tarawera and the Golden Ticket | 28 Feb 2023 | 01:16:31 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Last time Eugene and Matt spoke to Nancy Jiang was way back in 2018 on DCR #16. Way back then Nancy was beginning her trail running story, having just carved it up at the CCC and coming 15th at the world mountain running champs. Fast forward five years and we find the 2023 Tarawera 102km champion finally in a place where she’s not continuously hungry, and her feet aren’t throbbing, having just taken it home at the big dance and punched her Golden Ticket for the Western States Endurance Run. We speak to a human being who is standing in her power, training effectively, consistently, and coming off the big red ‘S’ to focus more time getting after it with solid intention. We talk about being busted by her coach (his lordship Jono Wyatt) mid-run, to her strategy and approach to Tarawera and how finally her parents have come around to the fact that maybe Chinese people can run. Enjoy. Episode Links Let’s Get Nancy Jiang to WSER!!! Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Ryan Montgomery - Gunning for the Golden Ticket. | 21 Feb 2023 | 01:10:20 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Eugene and Matt had the privilege of speaking with Ryan Montgomery from Park City, Utah, whilst he was at the Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB 102km. Born and raised in the misty Pacific Northwest, Ryan is a lover of outdoor spaces. Ryan ran his first marathon at 15 years old and was immediately inspired by long-distance running. Since his debut ultra marathon in 2016, he has run races such as the Wasatch Front 100, Badwater 135, and Tahoe 200. He placed 2nd at the 100-mile USATF National Championships in 2019, qualified for 24-Hour Team USA in 2020, and received a Golden Ticket for Western States at the Javelina Jundred in 2021. As a queer, gay runner, Ryan is passionate about creating community for LGBTQ+ athletes out on the trails. Ryan is the co-founder of Out Trails, an opportunity to bring queer together in outdoor places. This is an amazing conversation with an amazing human being at the height of his athletic prowess who is flying the flag (literally and figuratively) for true inclusion for all in the outdoor space. In addition to our conversation with Ryan we offer our aroha to the community so badly affected by the recent cyclone and share with you a remarkable Greatest Run Ever. Enjoy. Episode Links | |||
| Tarawera Ultramarathon 2023 Special: If this isn’t nice, we don’t know what is. | 14 Feb 2023 | 01:32:36 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. HOLY HECKA we’ve got a stacked show for you this week. From the shores of Lake Okataina (literally) to the village green where we interviewed a galaxy of this sport’s brightest stars, Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB always brings the goods and this year was no different. Eugene and Matt were on MC duties from Saturday evening until Sunday morning, and in between they managed to catch up with 10000 people, record a podcast, go for some sweet runs, share the stories and emotions with a tonne of athletes and sit down to talk with Hayden Hawks, Caitlin Fielder, Ryan Montgomery, Zach Friedley, Troy Sachs, Lucy Bartholomew, and Zach Miller. You can thank us later, we’re off to bed. Enjoy. Episode Links Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Daniele Danesin - Don’t be Like an Apple Tree | 07 Feb 2023 | 01:21:48 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. An elite mindset is transferable across all ventures. Just ask Daniele Danesin. This week, Eugene and Matt sit down to talk with the five-time world champion rower and Olympian about his transition to running trails, his love of endurance, his background growing up in Italy, and what drove him to put down his football boots and pick up an oar. This conversation is an incredible insight into what makes an athlete elite, delivered in one of the most engaging, pleasant, and humble manners. Daniele is not only the current Crater Rim champion, and runner up at Old Ghost Ultra, he is also an award winning brewer with Cassels Brewing Co. We talk about Daniele’s lessons learned, his approach to training, and racing, why it’s better to not be like an apple tree, and how he’d rather run 100 miles than ever use a rowing machine again. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| The Olympics, Overtraining, and that F*%king Kelpie Dog I AidStation 36 | 08 Aug 2025 | 00:39:23 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. I mean, the co-hosts of your third favourite trail and ultrarunning podcast haven’t gotten together for a chinwag for a while, and, if the universe has had a say in 2/3rds of our days, things are bound to get chaotic. Ultras at the Olympics, The legacy of Backyard Ultras, Overtraining and being Over Training, Plus Andrew’s bad ankle, Ali’s tumultuous toddler, and the dead dolphin under Matt’s house (really). Like a young lord patronised by a rich family we cover some ground on this week’s AidStation. Also, does anyone want an Australian Working Kelpie? Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running. --- --- --- Episode Links Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter The Squadrun 4-Week Training Trial for DCR Listeners! Dirt Church Radio on Instagram Enjoy! Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake | |||
| Top Tips to Help (Safely) Complete A Trail Race with Dr Tom Reynolds (re-release) | 02 Feb 2023 | 00:57:04 | |
This is a DCR special bonus repeat episode. Back in Episode 126 we caught up with Dr Tom Reynolds, part of the medical team at the Tarawera Ultra. Now, in that episode, as well as talking to him about his own incredible endurance feats, we spoke to him about the top tips he has for athletes undertaking trail races of all distances - the things to do and to avoid to make it back home safely. Now, these are tips that apply to all races, but with Tarawera just about upon on us, we wanted to share this conversation with you again because it’s important stuff and it’s worth repeating. Episode links The five things to help you during Tarawera (and other races) | |||
| Kerry Suter and Ali Pottinger and the ultimate 2023 Tarawera Ultra preview | 31 Jan 2023 | 01:19:52 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. It’s fair to say that Eugene and Matt are getting super excited about Tarawera coming up. And this week, they are super grateful to be able to catch up with their MC amigos Ali Pottinger and Kerry Suter. Two absolute legends and the folk behind Squadrun, the coaching and running community phenomena. Ali and Kerry are the chief cheerleaders of trail running in Aotearoa and Australia, they coach and support thousands of people, and you’ll often find them on the mic at races around the country. Kerry was one of the first people associated with Tarawera when Paul Charteris founded it, and he had an extraordinary running career of his own until an awful mountain bike accident last year left him with serious injuries. In this week’s episode the gang engages in a full preview of the races and Kerry and Ali share some of their incredible knowledge about how to take on the Tarawera course. And there are plenty of laughs along the way. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Matt Bixley - Old Man Wisdom | 24 Jan 2023 | 01:15:52 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. We’re BACK!! This week Eugene and Matt speak to Matt Bixley, a South Island trail running legend. Matt went from the couch to 18 Keplers, and a bunch of Rogaines and Barkley Marathons, in fact, Matt is the International Rogaining Association president. He was a Salomon athlete for a bit there too, and what he doesn’t know about the Kepler Challenge and the lord of the race ain’t worth knowing. Matt is well known for his opinions and his straight- talking style. This is a brilliant conversation with a very wise human, who is incidentally quite good at running for ages. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| DCR Summer Edition - Dr Stacy Sims | 17 Jan 2023 | 01:04:49 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Welcome to the third and final week of the 2023 DCR Summer Editions. And what a way to finish up. Dr Stacy Sims is a powerhouse of empowerment and agency for the female athlete, her books, Roar, and Next Level have been hugely popular. The statement that women are not just smaller men sounds QED, however it is one that has been largely ignored by the academic and sporting establishment. Stacy aims to turn that on its head. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| DCR Summer Edition - Christopher McDougall | 10 Jan 2023 | 01:20:07 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Welcome to the second week of the 2022/23 DCR Summer Editions. This week we bring you the amazing conversation we had with New York Times Best Selling Author, Christopher McDougall. Matt really wanted this one replayed as he was so riddled with Covid at the time it still feels like a fever dream. This is also the episode where one Lola Rayment was launched into the trail running podcast consciousness, and where we learned about Born to Run II - Enjoy! Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| DCR Summer Edition - Ruth Croft via Between Two Beers Podcast | 03 Jan 2023 | 01:38:42 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. We’re taking some time off as 2022 has been a whole mood (as the youth say). So for the next few weeks we’ve got our annual summer editions. This week we have a colab! This is an interview that the one and only Ruth Croft did with the team at the Between Two Beers podcast late last year. We heard it and thought, as many times as we’ve had Ruth on DCR this is something DCR listeners would love to hear! There’s plenty we learned about Ruth, including her trucking days. And she knows some shade our way too, so that’s always good. And, look a huge thanks to our mates at Between Two Beers, Steven Holloway and Seamus Marten. If you haven’t heard it before, we’d encourage you to take a listen - they do some really great deep-dive interviews with some really interesting people - enjoy! Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| The 2022 DCR Kirihimete Special - With Andrew McDowall | 20 Dec 2022 | 01:13:36 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week, Matt and Eugene make the trek from Nor’ Westland into the wilds of the wilds of suburbia to join the Dwight to our Taupin, the Ridgeley to our Michael, The Afanasieff to our Carey, the indomitable Andrew McDowall, to look back with the beginnings of fondness (or at least a sense of thank fond that’s over) at the year that we didn’t need, nor indeed want … 2022. The highs, the lows, the excitement of looking forward to races not being canceled, maybe. It’s been a trip. Ruth Croft bestrode the world like a laconic Atlanta, and some other people had a pretty good year in running too. We discuss our Greatest Runs Ever of 2022, then change into our penguin suits for the Dirt Church Radio Awards (the awards ceremony with neither awards nor ceremony) and engage in a bloody good chat about the sport and the culture we love … running. This is the final “proper” DCR of 2022, and we want to thank you all more than ever for the engagement, encouragement, and the aroha that you have shown us this year. We feel a distinct privilege to do what we do, and can’t wait to come back refreshed for 2023. Meri Kirihimete and please, enjoy! Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Dave Franks - Behind the other side of the tape | 13 Dec 2022 | 01:24:29 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week, Eugene speaks to Total Sport General Manager Dave Franks about his 17 years with one of the biggest event companies in Aotearoa. Dave came to the role as an internship during his degree and never left. Having all that experience across the endurance, trail and ultramarathon space, as well as being a passionate runner and outdoors person, this really is a fantastic discussion around the drive, discipline, and passion involved in putting on events in the endurance world. We also run down the WAI2k and (not the ) Wild on the weekend, as well as the mighty Westcoaster. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| 2022 Kepler Challenge Special | 06 Dec 2022 | 01:29:27 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week, Eugene and Matt head to Te Anau for our fourth live show from the iconic Fiordland Lobster Room at the Te Anau Events Centre to be joined by (the-then) 4 x Kepler winner and Auckland Marathon winner AND Queenstown Marathon Winner Dan Jones, Sophie Grant fresh from her Tor Des Geants 4th place, and Brodie Kane of being on the tele and podcasts and being good at dancing and things fame. We were also joined by race director and all round good bugger Steve Norris for a rip-roaring good time. Eugene and Matt also dissect their races, and reflect on the kindness, stewardship, and challenge that makes this race and sport just so special. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Ben St Lawrence - The Boy From Bullaburra | 29 Nov 2022 | 01:14:41 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week, Eugene and Matt have the distinct pleasure of speaking to the legendary Ben St. Lawrence. Ben is one of the greats of Australian distance running, a former Australian record holder of the 10,000 metre distance and Olympic and Commonwealth Games representative for his country. We speak to Ben about his longevity in running, his journey from talented youth, to university party boy, to Olympian. Ben is not shy about the challenges along the way and his struggles with RED-S and what that has taught him. We break down his most recent victory at the Ultra Trail Australia 50 kilometre race (*spolier alert* EPIC DING-DONG) and discuss his love of coaching, being a co founder of the Sydney based Run Crew. This is an honest, funny, and engaging conversation with an athlete who has continued to search for joy, reflect on the process, and engage in the discipline of this sport we love so much. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Sage Canaday – Any Surface, Any Distance | Dirt Church Radio 337 | 29 Jul 2025 | 01:17:40 | |
An outspoken advocate for clean sport, Sage has long used his platform not only to race but to educate, connect, and inspire. As both coach and athlete, he was an early adopter of social media to build community and bring others for the ride. With a career that spans continents, distances, and surfaces, Sage continues to inspire with his dedication to the sport and the people who participate in it. Dirt Church Radio — Best Enjoyed Running. | |||
| Anna McKenna: The Long Haul. | 22 Nov 2022 | 01:17:01 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene and Matt speak to Anna McKenna, the 2022 Ultra Trail Australia 100km champion. This is a brilliant conversation about making your way back to running and finding the joy in fellowship and the company that a running club can bring. We talk racing, surviving the pandemic as an employee of a major airline and the fact that whilst, yes, Katoomba is pretty ace, Chamonix is acer. Possibly this is due to the relative amounts of Courtney Dauwalter in Cham vz. The ‘toomba. Triumphant and full of gratitude, and unflinching when discussing challenges, Anna McKenna truly is a champion. We also run down an epic Stuff You Should know and a massive shout out to the little race that probably shouldn’t: Crush the Cargill. Well played, men. Well played. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Vlad Shatrov - The Road Back | 15 Nov 2022 | 01:10:58 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. The first time we engaged with Australian running legend Vlad Shatrov was way back at Dirt Church Radio number 91. Matt caught up with Vlad after Australia and the world had gone to hell in a handbasket grappling with COVID-19. This time we got the opportunity to sit down with the man himself before he toed the line in the Ultra Trail Australia 100km in October this year. If you’d listened to that episode, or know that man, you’ll know that Vlad has done it all, track racing, professional triathlon, marathon, now for several successful years, ultramarathon. At the time of our conversation we discussed the changes that Vlad was making to his coaching business to shift to a virtual platform and what his hopes for the future were, including a shot at the Western States Endurance Run. Fast forward two years and we find Vlad in a reflective space, positive that things are on the up again, his ongoing love of running and his recent victory at The Brisbane Trail Ultra 100. This is a brilliant conversation with an elite athlete primed to compete at a very high level. Resilience, determination, finding happiness in a seemingly increasingly mad world, and a sincere, enduring love of running. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Mel Brandon - Hanging Tough (and getting faster) | 08 Nov 2022 | 01:09:56 | |
Kia ora e te whānau.This week Eugene has an epic conversation with Mel Brandon. Mel is a runner, WUU2K record holder, and road marathon speedster. This year she has accumulated a bunch of impressive PBs, and has gone from strength to strength. In this conversation we talk about hanging tough when the going gets tough, how she balances training with a busy corporate life working at Wētā Workshop and being a single mum of three, we talk about what running has meant to her at various stages of her life, and of being part of the formidable Wellington Scottish Club. We cover off the New York and Rotorua Marathons, and, of course, do a deep dive on her impressive 6.31.37 record at WUU2K this year. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Ultra-Trail Australia 2022 - International racing, local wildlife, and heaps of yarns | 01 Nov 2022 | 01:41:56 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene and Matt take a sweet as tiki tour into the backblocks when we jump on a waka rererangi (airplane) and head over to the seriously epic and epically beautiful Blue Mountains for the 14th Ultra Trail Australia. In addition to being privileged enough to be part of the commentary team with local boys Ben Berriman and Dave Stewart we got a ton of good running in, became involved with several standoffs with Katoomba’s most aggressive fauna (everything), ran out of superlatives for the utter majesty of the place and generally felt like we were at a trail running summer camp. We’ve got all the race results, run down’s of the days, and speak to a bunch of runners including women’s 100km winner Anna McKenna. To finish off we speak with Katoomba local Pia Storey, who took on the 50km to raise money for Lifeline after the death of her brother, who had lived with struggle in regards to his mental health. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram
Sit Back and Enjoy! | |||
| Damian Hall - We Can't Run Away From This | 25 Oct 2022 | 01:27:52 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene and Matt have the pleasure of speaking to returning champion (and actual champion) Damian Hall about his new book We Can’t Run Away From This, which talks about the climate crisis we are now very much facing. We also speak about Tour De Geants, being a sponsored activist, just what makes Damian a self professed “climate hypocrite” and the ways that as we can contribute in a more effective way to increase sustainability in a sport that is known for its consumerism, and ways in which we can take a personal stand to contribute to a fitter planet. Enjoy. Episode Links Tina Buch Trail Nutrition Survey Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Inia Raumati - You Will Finish. | 18 Oct 2022 | 01:25:58 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene and Matt have the pleasure of speaking with Dr Inia Raumati (Taranaki) . Inia works in emergency medicine at Auckland City Hospital and is the only person from Aotearoa/New Zealand to complete the 4 Deserts Grand Slam, completing multi-day “raids” across the Sahara, Gobi, Atacama, and the Antarctic. Inia came to medicine after graduating as a physiotherapist, and has spent time working in anesthetics, on rescue helicopters, and deployed as part of the New Zealand Defence Force to Iraq. We kōrero with Inia about his life, his medical whakapapa, and his love of running for the deeper connection that it fostered between him and his father. Enjoy. Episode Links Tina Buch Trail Nutrition Survey Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Simon Cochrane - The Claaaaw | 11 Oct 2022 | 01:32:10 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week Matt speaks to triathlete, strength and conditioning coach, and endurance athlete Simon Cochrane about his epic 34 laps at the 24 hours Blue Lake to win The Claw, in an impressive 22 hours for 202km, a feat that had never been accomplished. We discuss his history in endurance sport, how one prepares for such a task and his mindset as he traveled just one lap further. We have a chocka block Stuff You Should Know with a preview of this weeks’ satellite Backyard Worlds Event at Puhinui from Lactic Turkey empresario and original Running Beast Shaun Collins. We have an update on The Wild, all the action from this weekend’s races and finally, FINALLY one of our furry buddies steps up to put paw to paper for this week’s Greatest Run Ever. Enjoy. Episode Links Backyard Ultra World Team Championships Tina Buch Trail Nutrition Survey Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Andrius Ramonas – Play, Joy, and Maths | 04 Oct 2022 | 01:20:39 | |
Kia ora e te whānau.This week Eugene and Matt talk to The North Face Australia and NZ athlete, doctor, physiologist, coach, and elite runner Andrius Ramonas about growing up playing in the outdoors of Lithuania, his love of movement, and the science and joy behind elite athletes. We also discuss Andrius’ research around nutrition and his recent line of nut butters, Roam Energy . In addition we discuss the recent cancellation of The WILD, and have a cracking Greatest Run Ever for the books. Enjoy. Episode Links The North Face NZ and Australia Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Blue Lake 24 Hour Challenge – Loop that Lake | 27 Sep 2022 | 01:03:45 | |
Kia ora e te whānau.This week Matt runs down the odyssey that was the 2022 Blue Lake 24 Hour Challenge, The atmosphere of this race is like nothing else. The brilliant thing about Blue Lake is that is an individual journey amongst friends. No timing chips, no distance limits or targets (if you want) and no expectations, the onus is most definitely on you. Show up, throw down. Get rad, challenge yourself, feel the love, have fun. With conversations with Andrew McDowall, Allan Ure, Lola Rayment, and the race organisers Chris and Kurt. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Charlotte Milne – Stronger, Fitter, Faster | 20 Sep 2022 | 01:28:05 | |
Kia ora e te whānau.This week Eugene and Matt talk to Charlotte Milne of Custom Made Fitness about the importance of strength training and how it really is about training smarter, not necessarily harder that makes the difference. We also rip through all the news, a run down of our respective marathon pacing and race directing at the weekend, and a Greatest Run Ever that highlights the importance of family over everything. Enjoy. Episode Links | |||
| Maree Connor – Spartathlon, Badwater, and Beyond | AidStation 35 | 25 Jul 2025 | 01:28:21 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. This week, we’ve got another special edition of the AidStation for you. Ali and Andrew caught up with Australian endurance legend Maree Connor to talk about her amazing ultramarathon career. From the iconic Spartathlon to the punishment of Badwater 135 to the World 24-Hour Championships, Maree has conquered some of the most incredible races in our sport. We couldn’t wait to bring you this conversation, so we’re putting it out as an AidStation special for you good people! Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running. | |||
| David Kilgore – Alligator Tales and New York trails. | 13 Sep 2022 | 01:21:43 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. David Kilgore loves running on the trails in and around New York City. In 15 minutes he can move from The Bronx, where he lives, to the Hudson River Trails. David is the Trail and Ultramarathon Athlete Manager for On Running, a 4 x Florida state track and cross country champion and All-American runner. He’s also been a member of the USA Trail and Ultrarunning team. Fresh from having most recently had the most fun ever at CCC and en route to Tarawera 102 km in February, David shares his love of running, life, race directing and the spectacular wildlife encounters that only someone who grew up in Florida could have. Enjoy. Episode Links | |||
| Scotty Hawker - The Journey | 06 Sep 2022 | 01:33:01 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Matt sits down with Scotty Hawker to discuss his 2022 UTMB campaign. From 3rd place in 2019 to 2nd place at CCC last year, Scotty came into this year's race in the form and fitness of his life. We talk about his race, the lessons learnt and the positives that whilst hard-earned, made Scotty the better athlete. We have a rundown of the week’s racing and receive a dispatch from Lactic Turkey’s Madeleine Collins about the junior trail camp that was run at the weekend. Enjoy. Episode Links Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||
| Chris Lucas - Fitness is For Everyone | 30 Aug 2022 | 01:23:17 | |
Kia ora e te whānau. Chris Lucas owned a successful business. He worked very hard. Faced with the prospect of endless grinding because that’s what you do, and the anxiety of knowing deep down that every new thing that he attained, be it a car, or other fancy toy, would become obsolete and then need replacing, Chris walked away from it all to live in a bus, travel, and run with his partner, Charlotte. This idea morphed into an on-line fitness coaching business which ran headlong into the pandemic and failure. From those ashes rose Custom Made Fitness, a running and strength training endeavor which has attracted a diverse and committed stable of athletes. Chris talks about his lessons learned, his 15 years of sobriety, and the challenges of battling through ongoing auto-immune illness to continue to be the best person he can be. As well as this epic conversation, this week we run down all the racing on the weekend (which to be fair, was more than you could shake a stick at) the KJ show aka UTMB, and hear from adaptive athlete and DCR 202 guest Zach Friedley about his experiences at the 40km MCC. Enjoy. Episode Links Lactic Turkey Junior Trail Camp Dirt Church Radio on Instagram | |||