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Ryan Downs has an incredible ability to push himself to places other people don't dare to visit. After telling this podcast he was going to run from Wagga to Canberra in honour of his mum, in early October he made it happen! An incredible journey filled with a mix of different people along the way. Hear how Ryan went, how much money was raised for an incredible charity Rise Above. We also draw Ryan's raffle for those who donated. Skip to 1:05 to listen there. I can't wait to see what Ryan does going forward. This was a lot of fun the second time around.

Cassie Cohen is back on the show nearly three and a half years after her first appearance, and what an incredible journey she has been on. She has run at two 24-hour world championships and was part of the Aussie women's team that finished second in 2025, before that she surprised many (including me and I am still eating humble pie) when she become the 2024 Asia Oceania 24-hour women's champion. That same year she was part of one of the most epic finishes at Coast to Kosci we may ever see, when she led all comers heading up to Australia's highest peak, before finishing third, making her the second fastest woman to ever run the race, in a time that would've won the women's race in any other year. It's fair to say she's no longer a rising star, but now a bonafide star of the Australian Ultra running scene, it's no secret she's one of my favourite runners, this was an absolute pleasure, and one of my favourite episode's in the podcast's history.

Shard Malchow is a runner that brings a very unique resume into this year's Coast to Kosci. Having been rejected multiple times, he has since built a resume that includes running at Marathon De Sables, UTMB and Cocodona 250. Pair that with some really solid finishes at UTA, UTK Miler and the 50 mile at Lonely Mountain, and you have someone that could surprise many at this year's race. His mindset and drive is evident throughout this podcast, brought through from more than 17 years of military service. His insights have certainly left an impression on me, particularly his ideas of being able to have an anchor during your longer event. I loved this chat and I know you all will as well. You can follow Shard at smendurance.coaching on instagram.

Adrian Whatmore's journey into ultra running is anything but conventional. In this podcast you'll learn about how Six Foot Marathon helped spark his passion for ultra running. Since then, Adrian has made a significant mark in Australia's ultra running community, completing the North Face/UTA100 an impressive ten times, as well as last year finishing his fourth Coast to Kosci. We talk about a changing landscape in the sport of ultra running, the shift in Coast to Kosci and its growing interest, however his journey to get his first pin is one that will inspire many, particularly those that may have been left disappointed with not getting in this year. Adrian's story is a profound reminder of the resilience and spirit that defines ultra running. His journey of transformation to becoming a celebrated ultra runner inspires many, proving that passion and determination can lead to remarkable achievements. Don't forget to leave a review and share where you can. Many thanks!

Dan Donegan is coming back for her second Coast to Kosci after finishing last year under inclement weather conditions. This year Dan has already had impressive runs at Buffalo Stampede in the 10 and 100k events and most recently at SUM100 in Sydney. Prior to that she has completed Tarawera Miler, West Macs Ellery Monster as well as the Sri Chinmoy 100 in Canberra. She's as tough as nails and someone I'm proud to have as an adventure buddy. You can follow her journey at dan.runs.long on insta.

Ryan Downs is only new to the sport of ultra running, but in a short space of time he's set big goals and hit them. Running his first ultra at BRUTUS last year, Ryan got a taste for what its like to go long. Last year he also completed an incredible run streak, which he took on 10 years since he lost his mother Tereze following a five year battle with cancer. This year Ryan become one of a small handful to secure 30 laps at the GUMBY at Blue Range Hut in the ACT. An achievement so incredible for someone so new to the sport. His next big challenge is Ryan's Long Run 220km+ staged event over three days October 9-11th from Wagga Base Hospital, where Ryan's mum was born to Gungahlin Cemetery, where she is buried. A physical line drawn between beginning and farewell. Everyone who donates goes into the draw to win incredible prizes, and your support will go directly to Rise Above. A charity that financially supports families with loved ones battling cancer. As always thank you for your support.

Edwin Smith's journey into running didn't start with a marathon or a grand race, it began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns in place and little to do, he decided to run laps around his home in Sydney. What started as a casual pastime quickly turned into a passion that has transformed his life. In this podcast I talk with Edwin about his growth in running, which has seen him go from running newbie to completing a 100K run with friends. But, Edwin is also a specialist in social media working on shows like Survivor and I'm a Celebrity have helped him have a great understanding of how social media works. With his @running_with_edwin page continuing to go from strength to strength on instagram. He is also entering his first backyard ultra, so it was good to talk about how he is preparing for that.

Ultra running is not just about the physical challenge; it’s a profound journey that tests the limits of mental resilience and community spirit. In this episode I dive into the experiences of Tom Curry, a passionate ultra runner, who recently completed the UTA Miler. His journey is not just about crossing the finish line, but about the lessons learned along the way. In this you'll learn that a DNF isn't the end of the world, and see that Tommy’s reflections offer valuable insights for both seasoned and aspiring ultra runners. You can follow Tom on instagram at T0m_Runs. Don't forget if you liked this episode to share and rate so others can also find it.

Amber and Blaine Bourke are incredible siblings and next month they are releasing a book 'To the Limit'. The book is a conversation between the pair about pushing limits and letting go. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of the book, and after reading it have both Amber and Blaine on the podcast. Amber is a world class free diver, and a former elite sychronised swimmer, she has been at the top of her chosen sports for the past two decades. For Blaine he has been a national 24-hour champion, captured the hearts of the ultra running community recently at Hardcore Harry's King of the Hill, and just last week won the Noosa 100. This is a conversation I deeply enjoyed with two amazing athletes, I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to look out for the book!

Claudine Chi is a winning mindset coach and 16-time national and international karate champion. In this open conversation Claudine shares her insights on the importance of mindset in achieving personal and athletic goals. She discusses the intrinsic nature of mindset coaching, the common challenges we as humans face, and the significance of self-belief. Claudine emphasises the need for mental training alongside physical preparation, the impact of self-talk, and the invisible barriers that hinder self-belief. Through personal anecdotes and examples from her coaching experiences, this is a conversation I believe will inspire listeners to unlock their potential and embrace the journey of personal growth. If you want to work with Claudine you can at: www.claudinechi.com/journal.

Jonathan Ash shares his journey from a novice runner to a two time winner of backyard ultras, which has also seen him become the second Australian to run 100 loops in a backyard ultra. He discusses the mental and physical challenges of that format, the importance of learning from past experiences, and the dynamics of crew support in races. Jashy highlights the significance of enjoying the process of running and the unique aspects of backyard ultras, including the mental game and recovery. He reflects on his experiences in various races, including his first 100K in the Blue Mountains and Big's Backyard Ultra World Championships, highlighting the camaraderie and community within the ultra running scene. I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did!

Mario Buchs has had an incredible year, completing UTA 100, before going and running Australia's toughest miler the Elephant Race. Then the adventure of a lifetime going over to Iraq and running 100 miles, in conditions many runners wouldn't be able to comprehend. He then tops it off by adding a second pin to his Akubra by finishing Coast to Kosci. In this podcast Mario shares some amazing perspective, and how he made it to where he is on his journey as an ultra runner, Founder of Healthetica Coaching and also the host of a couple of podcasts, Strides and Vibes, as well as the one Percenters Performance Podcast. One of the most interesting ultra runners you could ever come across, I loved having this chat.

Anthony Cribbes' story is one that will inspire many, but his young daughter Tallulah, who earlier this year fought for her life, has her incredible dad covered. Despite Anthony's incredible feats in the Grampians, and at a number of Victoria's toughest ultras, Tallulah was forced to fight for her life at just two weeks old. She was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia, a condition where the heart beats too fast because of abnormal electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart, and for little Tallulah it was life threatening. It saw Anthony go on to run at the Grampians 100 Mile Trail event again. But, as you'll find out, he went there with a new perspective on life, a chance to give back. In the process Anthony has already raised more than $11,000, but if you feel inspired after this episode you can donate here. An inspiring story, of an inspiring family, get the tissues ready because this one is an emotional rollercoaster.

The 20th edition of the great race promises to be an absolute classic. It will be hard to top last year's heart stopping finish between Ben Coubrough and Allie Corripio, but 2025 has that feel about it. A huge field will start on Friday, with a great mix of newcomers and experienced campaigners.  Two time women's champion Maree Connor joins me for a bit of fun to talk about this year's race, we both love it, and I hope you enjoy it. If you're travelling to this year's race be safe, and most of all I hope you love the magic that this race brings.

The final episode in this series in the lead up to 2025's edition of the Great Race. Zed Zlotnick finished the race in 2022, joining the Coast to Kosci family with a determined finished, spending more than 45 hours out on course. Growing up in South Africa, Zed has completed the Two Oceans Marathon five times, and the Comrades Marathon (Down) twice. But, after moving to Australia and connected with an incredible group of endurance runners, Zed himself has completed some amazing feats, including 14 Six Foot Track finishes, multiple 48 hour track races, backyard ultras and he is also part of the 100 Marathon Club. It's not just his finish at Coast to Kosci though that links him to Australia's great race. He was part of the legendary Jane Trumper's crew for her 10th finish, helped Adrian Whatmore put a crew together in 2023 and this year will be back crewing his mate Ben Munro in his first attempt at the race. Throughout this chat Zed speaks with humour and shares some insights into a life time of running. I loved this one and I hope you do too!