Shows
Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningCamille Herron. Dirt Church Radio Episode 331.Kia ora e te whānau. It would be easy to start this post off with something like “the internet sucks” and again, that would date us. In today’s context, the internet is, and with that comes its joys, its horrors, and the amplification of the worst angels of our psyche. In the physical world, moments come and go; in the digital world, a senseless act is immortal. Camille Herron, who returns to Dirt Church Radio for a third time, remains one of the greatest talents in our sport, having set multiple world records across various distanc...2025-06-181h 38Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningCamille Herron. Dirt Church Radio 331.Kia ora e te whānau. It would be easy to start this post off with something like “the internet sucks” and again, that would date us. In today’s context, the internet is, and with that comes its joys, its horrors, and the amplification of the worst angels of our psyche. In the physical world, moments come and go; in the digital world, a senseless act is immortal. Camille Herron, who returns to Dirt Church Radio for a third time, remains one of the greatest talents in our sport, having set multiple world records...2025-06-171h 17Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningThe 2025 Ultra Trail Australia Women in Trail Live Show Special. AidStation 32.Kia ora e te whānau. Join Ali Pottinger, Lucy Bartholomew, Jessie Speedy, and Nicole Bunyon for the Ultra Trail Australia Women in Trail Panel. As our Ali says at the top, there is always more to say, and this is a good place to start. Join our incredible panel for this awesome discussion on the current state and the hopeful future of women in trail. This episode is Ali going solo, running amok, as she says, and just like the women on the trail panel, this is a great place to start. Dirt Church Radio- Best Enjoyed Running.2025-06-131h 04Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningGary House-Cutting Through The Noise. Dirt Church Radio 329.Kia ora e te whānau. You’d need to have been living under a rock over the last year not to have seen one of Gary House’s videos in the ultrasphere. From satirical stitches that poke fun at the absurdity of running media to no-nonsense and practical advice to aid in your running, e.g., “Stop being so British when climbing hills” Ali and Matt speak with Gary about his somewhat circuitous route into running, his coaching business, and his leap into the digital running media world. This conversation goes all over the map. We learn that there mig...2025-06-031h 22Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningThe Ultrasphere Is Getting Spicy. Aidstation 31.Kia ora e te whānau. All Matt knew is that he went to Ultra Trail Australia, got home, and then a couple of hours later went to work. What he missed in that very full-on week was a cavalcade of what Men In Blazers’ podcast would only describe as sheer ultrarunning shithousery. From the William Goodge trans-Australia beef, to the Avaripa running saga and consequential PR home-run, to whatever the heck Camille was on about, through to Stephanie Gage’s win at UltraTrail Snowdonia, and a Sea Slug winning a 200-mile race, Matt asks to be caught up, a...2025-05-301h 24Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningThe 2025 Ultra Trail Australia Live Special. Dirt Church Radio 327Kia ora e te whānau. It’s always a party in the Blue Mountains. From the out-of-this-world scenery, to the amazing people, to the exceptional country that carries you, the Blue Mountains have it all. Add to this mix the atmosphere and celebration of Ultra Trail Australia being a UTMB world major, and you have a recipe for an incredible time. This year’s UTA live special is in three parts. In part one, Ali and Matt speak to UTA miler athletes, Vlad Shatrov, Kellie Angel, and UTA22 guns Ben Duffus and S...2025-05-201h 31Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningHanny Allston- More Than The Sum Of Our Parts. Aidstation 30.Kia ora e te whānau. This week, Ali Pottinger speaks with Hanny Allston for a special addition to the Aidstation Podcast. Hanny is a returning champion to DCR who was with us for episode 121, all the way back in December 2020. Back then we said Hanny is based in Tasmania and is a high performance coach, owner of Find Your Feet Outdoors, former junior and senior world champion orienteer - elite trail runner and now the author of Finding My Feet, Hanny’s memoir which delves into a lot of topics including body image, mental health, and bullying, whic...2025-05-161h 12Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningBryon Powell- Transcendent Trails- The Ultra Gobi 400. Dirt Church Radio 325Kia ora e te whānau. Bryon Powell is a legend. The founder of iRunFar, an Ultramarathon runner and returning Dirt Church Radio Champion. In this week’s episode of DCR, Bryon speaks with Ali and Andrew about the lessons he learnt and the stories he shared in his lifetime, packed into three days, winning the incredible Ultra Gobi 400km. Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed RunningBryon Powell on Instagram iRunFar Sign up to the DCR AidStation newsletter...2025-05-061h 36Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningJean Beaumont.-Quiet Riot. Dirt Church Radio 323Kia ora e te whānau. Jean Beaumont is a legend in Aotearoa ultramarathon circles that you’ve probably heard of, or maybe thought you did, because Jean keeps to herself. It’s taken years to get her to come on DCR and we’re so glad she did. Eight Northburn 100 finishes, and six wins from those eight, on top of masses of other feats of endurance that would make a mortal quail, including The Revenant, The Spectacle, and way back in the day, a double Hillary. Ali and Andre...2025-04-221h 01Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningAidstation 29- The Lightning RoundKia ora e te whānau. This week, we’re all back in the same country (for the time being) and thought that we would switch it up on this week’s Aidstation with a Lightning Round of questions that are, frankly, all over the place. From mental strategies for ultramarathons to Andrew’s neighbour, who may be the incredible hulk, through to the best races for newbies, specificity, the pros and cons of modern fuelling, Ali’s twenties, to how much you’d pay to poop in a bucket, It’s all on this week in the Aidstation. D...2025-04-1845 minDirt Church Radio Trail RunningThe Kunanyi Mountain Run Special- Dirt Church Radio 321The Kunanyi Mountain Run Special. Dirt Church Radio 321 Kia ora e te whānau. Lutruwita/Tasmania is legend. A hard place with warm people nestled off the east coast of Australia. Our legend, Ali Pottinger was lucky enough to travel to Nipaluna/Hobart to participate in this year’s Kunanayi Mountain Run. Whilst she was there Ali did what all good podcasters do, which was get some great content, from the race director Lincoln, to hearty participants taking on this incredible challenge, We’d always wanted to go to Hobart to go to...2025-04-081h 28Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningGrass Roots Radicals- Aidstation 28Kia ora e te whānau. We get the band back together after ages for this week’s AidStation Podcast. Fresh from Kunyani, Northburn 100, and kicking about at Riverhead Relaps, Ali, Andrew, and Matt discuss their love of the Grassroots event and the challenges and opportunities for amazing experiences that lie within. This week, we've got some bonus audio that Matt recorded at the Relaps Backyard. First, you hear from RD Shaun Collins about the event's history, changes, triumphs, challenges, and where the backyard goes. We’ll speak to Helen Waterworth and Chris Newsome from His&Hers events regar...2025-04-0455 minDirt Church Radio Trail RunningYou Have A Voice, Use It - Jasmin Paris. Dirt Church Radio 317Kia ora e te whānau. Jasmin Paris was rocketed into the wider consciousness when she became the first woman to finish Barkley Marathons, with 99 seconds to spare. Ironically, for a race that eschewed publicity for so long, the photos of Paris sending the final 100 metres or so to the yellow gate are arguably more famous than the Barkley itself. Whilst this may be Jasmin’s best known achievement, it’s far from her only one. Spine winner, Bob Graham Round holder, fell running champion, senior lecturer in veterinary science, Mother and partner. Jasmin’s life is full. Ali and...2025-03-111h 13Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningAid Station 26: The 2025 Women in Trail Panel with Ali Pottinger, Corrine Malcolm, and Lucy Bartholomew.Aid Station 26: The 2025 Women in Trail Panel with Ali Pottinger, Corrine Malcolm, and Lucy Bartholomew. Kia ora e te whānau. Please enjoy this incredible conversation with three wahine toa about women in trail. The conversation discussed different means of platforming women in the trail, the things that foster discussions that can progress the sport, and some of the challenges which women face in our community. This episode was recorded February 14th, 2025, at the Tarawera Ultra Trail by UTMB. Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed RunningLucy Bar...2025-03-0747 minDirt Church Radio Trail RunningSpeed Dating With Speedy People. The 2025 Tarawera Ultra Trail Live Special. Dirt Church Radio 314.Kia ora e te whānau.St. Valentine’s Day is for lovers, and we thought what better way to celebrate our love for Tarawera Ultra Trail and the people at the pinnacle of our sport than to change up your standard interview format to something that vibed with the day. Our pros had three minutes each, randomly drawn questions, some about running, some not, and one opportunity to pass. We spoke to Caitlin Fielder, Dan Jones, Ruth Croft, Hadyen Hakes, Konoka Azumi, Ryan Montgomery, Robbie Simpson, Helen Redcloud Mino Faulkner, and Lucy Bartholomew. It was...2025-02-181h 22Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningThe 2025 Tarawera Ultra Trail Preview Special, with Kerry Suter and Lucy Bartholomew. Dirt Chruch Radio 313.The 2025 Tarawera Ultra Trail Preview Special, with Kerry Suter and Lucy Bartholomew. Dirt Chruch Radio 313.Kia ora e te whānau. It's that time of year again!!! The circus has rolled into town, the tents are being set up, the sawdust is being sprinkled, the elephants have those funny headdress things on, and all we are waiting for is a bunch of clowns to show up. In what is one of our favourite episodes of each year, Matt, Ali, and Andrew are joined by special guests Kerry Suter and the mighty Lucy Bartholomew (yes, t...2025-02-111h 06Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningAmanda Basham. It's A Family Affair. Dirt Church Radio 311Kia ora e te whānau. We’ve discussed on Dirt Church Radio in the past that the pros walk amongst us, however witnessing their drive, discipline, and ability to seemingly dance away on the most challenging of terrain is a sight to behold. And, look, not to put too fine a point on it, but Amanda Basham rules. A professional trail runner and endurance coach, who has raced at the highest heights of the sport, including winning the USATF trail championships as her first race as a professional. Amanda was kind enough to speak to Ali and And...2025-01-281h 05Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningIT'S THE 2024 DCR CHRISTMAS SPECIAL- Dirt Church Radio 308Kia ora e te whanāu. Holy moly it's been a long year, and we are STOKED to share the 5th episode of the Dirt Church Radio Christmas Special!! Matt, Ali, and Andrew run through the highs, the lows, (well, we cut those out), and the legends of the 2024 trail running world. This is coming out on Christmas day, so we'll keep the preamble short, but we wish you a wonderful 2025 filled with love, light, and dirty ankles. Get after it in the new year, and we'll see y...2024-12-241h 04Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningAbby Hall- Growth Through Adversity And Beyond. Dirt Church Radio 307Kia ora e te whanāu.This week on Dirt Church Radio Ali speaks with the mighty Abby Hall. On the start line at the Kosciuszko 100km, Abby Hall was a picture of composure and radiated competence. Hall crushed the course, taking the W and fourth overall in a super impressive 10:43:24. Ali and Abby talk about Abby’s injury and recovery, her growth through this adversity, and her hopes for 2025. Hall, who runs for Adidas Terrex, spent two weeks in Australia, traveling, exploring, and generally falling in love with the place with her good friend Lucy Bartholomew. Ali tal...2024-12-171h 22Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningDCR AidStation 23- How Hot is Too Hot? Climate, Ultra Trail Kosciuszko, and Ben Berriman’s Trail Story Of The Century.Kia ora e te whānau. On this episode of the DCR AidStation Podcast, Matt and Ali Pottinger reflect on a manic couple of weeks of trans-Tasman travel between Coast to Kosci and Ultra Trail Kosciuszko The topic of climate change is discussed (as it’s a nice, easy, non-controversial one) and how races and racers will manage in the future with increasingly extreme weather. We rip through our Ultra Trail Kosciuszko content including the most hilarious and unspeakable trail story we’ve ever heard, Courtesy of the legendary Ben Berriman. Dirt Church Radio—Best Enjoyed...2024-12-1347 minDirt Church Radio Trail Running2024 Coast To Kosci Special:The Long Road. Dirt Church Radio 305.Kia ora e te whanāu.This week on Dirt Church Radio we have a historic event. This is the first-ever DCR episode recorded without Matt or Eugene. Andrew McDowall and Ali Pottinger traveled to Australia to race and crew in the iconic Coast to Kosci. The 240-kilometre road and gravel road monster has been referred to as the Bad Water of the South as it goes from sea level to the highest point in Australia. With a long-standing rivalry between Andrew and DCR guest 151 Steven Redfern about to come to a head that would result in a b...2024-12-031h 12Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningTiming Your Kick: Things you need to think about four months out—with Ali Pottinger and Kerry Suter of SQUADRUNKia ora e te whānau! On this episode of the AidStation podcast, Matt is joined by the brains trust of SQUADRUN, Ali Pottinger, and Kerry Suter to talk about how to plan the lead-up to your big event. We talk training, gear, logistics, nutrition, and distraction strategies, so your golden carriage doesn’t turn into a pumpkin when you’ve put so much effort to get to the ball. Enjoy! Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running. Dirt Church Merch!SQUADRUNCurranzJul...2024-11-151h 07Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningThe Future of DCR with Ali Pottinger and Andrew McDowall– Dirt Church Radio 301.Kia ora e te whanāu. Please join Matt in welcoming the new co-hosts of Dirt Church Radio, Ali Pottinger and Andrew McDowall. Both have been regulars on DCR for some time now, so it should be little surprise that Matt would reach out to them to join him in the next chapter of Aotearoa’s third favourite forest-based running podcast. Both bring a wealth of experience to the table, are community-minded, and love a good yarn. This is going to be sweet-as. This week we learn a bit about Ali and Andrew’s backstory, what they are excit...2024-11-0555 min
Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningMistakes Were Made - With Ali Pottinger and Kerry Suter of SQUADRUNKia ora e te whānau! On this episode of the DCR AidStation we are back with two of our favourite coaches and the brains behind SQUADRUN, Ali Pottinger and Kerry Suter. The famous saying “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face” rings true with running. In fact, one could argue that 99% of our races have an element of the uncontrollable, but we are not going to talk about this. We are going to focus when we’ve become our own Mike Tyson, and punched ourselves in the face. We rip through the gamut of bugg...2024-10-041h 14
Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningAidStation Podcast 017 – The Firies Furber Stairs Climb For MND Live showKia ora e te whānau! We are not going to lie to you, this is a heavy episode, however it is absolutely one that you need to hear. Matt and Ali Pottinger ventured to Scenic World in Katoomba to facilitate this discussion for the Firies Furber Stairs Climb. We spoke to the original Firies Climb Organiser, Matt Pridham, about his personal experience with MND and how this drove him to start an event which raised millions of dollars, We spoke to Professor Dominic Rowe of Macqurie University. A consultant neurologist with a fury to find a cure, a...2024-09-031h 21
Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningEugene and Matt talk 100 miles. The where, what, and why.Kia Ora e te whānau! This week on the pod, Eugene and Matt settle in for a good old chat about Matt’s upcoming 100 mile event and Matt gets the opportunity to chat to one of his running idols (Eugene, and yes, we are leaving that in) about his process and engagement with the distance. Following on from last week’s AidStation when we spoke to coach Kerry and Ali from SQUADRUN, we discuss the where, the what, and most importantly the why around an event that has bludgeoned itself into the running discourse and is more popul...2024-08-271h 12
Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningSoft Feelings And Hard Numbers: The Mileage Question with Kerry Suter and Ali PottingerKia ora e te whānau! The great questions of our age answered by two of the greatest minds (and Matt and Eugene)!! When it comes to training, how much is too much? Or too little? And do we go by time or distance? And how will we know?!?! The answer? It depends … sort of ... This is a great discussion with SQUADRUN coaches Kerry Suter and Ali Pottinger around the quantitative and qualitative approach to training for your next big event. Matt reminds us how context is everything, Ali refuses to be judged for completionism, and Eugene and Ker...2024-08-2354 min
Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningHave you got what it takes? Coach Kerry and Ali on what to think about when planning your next goalKia ora e te whānau! On this episode, Eugene and Matt are joined by the brains trust of SQUADRUN Ali Pottinger and Kerry Suter for a play-along-at-home adventure around the start of planning for a big adventure or event, in this case, Matt’s build up to the Tarawera Ultra Trail. As usual with these conversations, Kerry and Ali are wise beyond years, and a font of incredible knowledge. Not to be missed. Dan Jones also checks in after his remarkable fourth-place run at Western States last weekend, and we debate the merits of s...2024-07-121h 02
Dirt Church Radio Trail Running2024 Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB Special + Live ShowKia ora e te whānau! This episode of the pod finds Matt returning to The Blue Mountains for the UTA running festival. With 7000 athletes over 4 days this is a one-of-a-kind spectacle in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Down to one wing, the ever dependable Ali Pottinger of SQUADRUN fame jumped into the fray, along with Ben Berriman and Dave Stewart to recap each day’s event. Ali and Matt also handled the elite Q&A, with Lucy Bartholomew, Charlie Hamilton, and Michael Dimunates. Matt and Ali discussed the Women in Trail Panel and the...2024-05-211h 55
Dirt Church Radio Trail Running2024 Ultra Trail Australia Preview with Kerry Suter and Ali PottingerKia ora e te whānau! This week, Eugene and Matt have got the band back together! We have the distinct pleasure of being joined by the brains behind SQUADRUN, Ali Pottinger and Kerry Suter to preview the 2024 edition of Ultra Trail Australia. Ali and Kerry are two people who know this race intimately, they share their favourite parts of the course and memories with us before giving us an incredible run down of the elite list across the 100km and 50 km distances for what is sure to be some very tasty racing. Best Enjoyed Running....2024-05-071h 32
Dirt Church Radio Trail RunningAli Pottinger - The future of Trail Running for Women in AustralasiaKia ora e te whānau! Our friend, fellow MC, and DCR away game co-host Ali Pottinger sent us a message wanting to talk about what the trail running community could do better (and is doing better) to support women in trail running. When Ali talks, we listen. So please enjoy this thought-provoking and engaging discussion with Ali Pottinger around the good, the bad, and the way forward for our trail running sisters, from one of our trail running sisters. Also, Eve (of the dolphin-rescue Greatest Run Ever fame) comes through with ANOTHER animal encounter GRE, would you b...2024-03-121h 14