Advertise on podcast: Peak Pursuits

In this episode of Peak Pursuits, Brodie and Sim sit down with Piotr Babis to unpack one of the boldest endurance feats ever attempted in Tasmania’s southwest: a first-ever continuous FKT linking the Eastern Arthurs, Western Arthurs, Port Davey and the South Coast Track. Piotr breaks down the brutal reality of 240km and 12,000m of elevation across some of Australia’s most remote and overgrown terrain, covering navigation challenges, weather windows, crew logistics and multi-day fueling in true wilderness conditions. The team dives into why Tassie’s Arthurs remain among the toughest environments in Australian trail running, what it takes to plan FKTs, and how this adventure fits alongside Piotr’s 2026 race calendar including Gone Nuts, KMR and UTA. A must-listen for anyone fascinated by FKTs, Tasmanian trail running, and the outer edges of endurance adventure. The team then dives into some chats around the changes in the trail running scene as it gets bigger and social media influence brings new people to the trails, as well as some results and a listener question around race pressure.  Results: Kilcunda Running Festival (VIC) Beerwah at Night (QLD) SEQ Trail Series Round 5: Bunyaville  Perth Trail Summer Series***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Sim: Instagram | Strava Follow Brodie: Instagram | Strava Follow Piotr: Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

This week on the podcast Brodie and Vlad are joined by Zoe Manning, up and coming ultra trail specialist. We get to know Zoe before diving into her preparation for the upcoming Tarawera 100km, contrasting her playful and intuitive training style to Vlad's data driven approach for the same race! We then cover the AUTRA Performance of the Year award and how it may have been a missed opportunity to engage the trail running community, discuss a controversial study released this week making bold claims about low carb and touch on the many current “runner of the year” awards and trail runner rankings. We finish this weeks podcast by chatting about the HK 100, the first stop of the World Trail Majors in 2026. James gives us a somewhat controversial question to answer before we let you know what's coming up this weekend! Results: Hong Kong 100  Hong Kong 50***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Vlad: Instagram | Strava Follow Brodie: Instagram | Strava Follow Zoe: Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Iain Best is back, and a lot has changed since we last spoke. He is now a dad of two, still racing hard, and still finding ways to train with purpose when sleep is broken and life is full. In this episode, James and Iain go deep on what “real” consistency looks like, how Iain shifted from ultras into the world of mountain and skyrunning, and why uphill racing became the thing he could not stop chasing. It’s an honest chat about identity, ambition, and keeping the love of the sport alive while the sport itself keeps changing. They also zoom out on trail running in Australia, from the volunteer roots that built the scene to the more commercial era we are in now. And to finish, Iain shares what is coming next: a stack of races at home, then a big move to France mid-year with a massive European calendar on the horizon. In this episode: Training and racing as a new parent, without pretending it’s easy Why uphill became Iain’s weapon, and what it changed in his running Skyrunning, VKs, and the pathway from ultras to the mountains Lessons from the Army, injury rehab culture, and discipline that actually holds up Where trail running is heading, and what we do not want to lose along the way The plan for 2026, including a mid-year move to France and a packed racing schedule***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at Bix’s website for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Follow Iain: Strava Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

In episode 93 of Peak Pursuits, Jess and James sit down with Australian World Champs representative SJ to unpack a big few months on and off the trails. SJ reflects on her Short Trail performance at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, a tough post-race illness, and a confidence-boosting win at Bogong to Hotham last weekend. The conversation then turns to 2026 planning, with a shift toward longer racing and a bold entry into the Kunanyi 66km.  Jess and James also share candid updates on their own training returns, before diving deep into one of the biggest global talking points in trail running: UTMB’s new carbon offset policy and its impact on Australian athletes. Packed with athlete insight, race results, and informed debate, this episode cuts to the heart of where trail running in Australia is heading. Results: Bogong 2 Hotham***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Jess: Instagram | Strava  Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Follow SJ: Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R Show less

In episode 92 of Peak Pursuits, Sim and Jess are joined by Kate Avery fresh off a remarkable post-partum win at the Two Bays Trail Run. Kate breaks down her return to racing, the realities of training and recovery after pregnancy, and how her confidence is building toward a stacked 2026 season. The team dives deep into Two Bays race results across the 28km and 56km, including standout performances from Caitlin Fielder, Toby Sparks and a red-hot elite field. They also tackle major global news with UTMB’s newly announced mandatory carbon offset policy and what it means for Australian runners. Packed with results, athlete insight and topical debate, this is essential listening for anyone following trail running in Australia right now. Results: Two Bays Trail Run (VIC) ATR Round 3 - Belair National Park (SA)***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Jess: Instagram | Strava  Follow Sim: Instagram | Strava Follow Kate: Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

In this episode of Peak Pursuits, the crew kicks off 2026 with a deep dive into Aussie trail runner Billy Curtis’ European winter campaign, fresh off a win at the Trail del Bora ultra in northern Italy. Billy breaks down his move to longer racing, grey-zone training, and why Montenegro and the Balkans are underrated training hubs for trail runners. The team also looks ahead to the World Trail Majors, including Trans Gran Canaria, Madeira, and Transvulcania, and what they mean for Australian athletes on the global stage. Plus, a detailed preview of the stacked Tarawera Ultra-Trail 100km field and Golden Ticket implications for Western States. Essential listening for anyone following elite trail running in Australia and beyond. ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners! And to enter our end of year giveaway make sure you follow us and Bix Australia on insta then tag your friend in a comment on this episodes post!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Vlad: Instagram | Strava Follow Brodie: Instagram | Strava Follow Billy: Strava Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R Show less

Episode 90 of Peak Pursuits delivers the second half of a comprehensive wrap of a massive 2025 for Australian trail running, as James, Vlad, Brodie, and Sim hand out their end-of-year performance awards. In Part 2, the team debates the standout seasons of the year and the best race battles that 2025 delivered! The team then end with some quickfire discussions on global runner of the year, favourite gear in 2025 and more. What do you think? Were we close or did we miss something? Let us know! ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Follow Vlad: Instagram | Strava Follow Sim: Instagram | Strava Follow Brodie: Instagram | Strava Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Trail running is growing fast, but with that growth comes big questions about governance, identity, and where the sport is heading next. In this episode, James sits down with Mike Duggan, Australian representative on the ITRA Steering Committee, to unpack the global push to bring trail running into the Olympic Games. They explore why the Olympics are even on the table, what problem that pathway is trying to solve, and what still needs fixing in trail running regardless of whether 2032 happens. The conversation dives into how ITRA and World Athletics work together, what this means for national bodies like AUTRA, athlete selection and funding, race formats, sponsorship influence, and the growing pressure around anti-doping and professionalism. Whether you’re excited, sceptical, or sitting on the fence, this episode will challenge how you think about the future of trail running — and what it might gain, or risk losing, along the way. https://trailrunning.org.au/ ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at Bix’s website for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Episode 89 (and 90 coming next week) of Peak Pursuits delivers a comprehensive wrap of a massive 2025 for Australian trail running, as James, Vlad, Brodie, and Sim hand out their end-of-year performance awards. In Part 1, the team debates the standout performances of the season and the surprise breakout performances, eventually coming to a decision where it feels like there is no right or wrong because how good was 2025!! Throughout, the team unpack deep fields at global races, compare domestic versus international results, and explore how indexing, course difficulty, and competitive depth shape performance context. With sharp analysis, athlete recognition, and honest debate, this episode is essential listening for anyone tracking Australian trail running results, elite progression, and the stories that defined 2025. What do you think? Were we close or did we miss something? Let us know! ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners! And to enter our end of year giveaway make sure you follow us and Bix Australia on insta then tag your friend in a comment on this episodes post!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Follow Vlad: Instagram | Strava Follow Sim: Instagram | Strava Follow Brodie: Instagram | Strava Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Endurance at the extreme isn’t built in a single race. It’s shaped over years of uncertainty, hard choices, and an ability to keep going when there’s no clear finish line. In this episode, James sits down with Piotr Babis — two-time King of the Hill winner, Arc’teryx athlete, and one of Australia’s most quietly accomplished ultra runners — to explore the long path behind his 90-hour performance. They dive into Piotr’s unconventional entry into running, his seven-year fight to stay in Australia, the mental and physical demands of backyard ultras, and why sleep deprivation — not pain — is often the true breaking point. The conversation also unpacks FKTs, self-directed projects, crew dynamics, and what it really means to test your limits without losing yourself in the process. Whether you’re curious about ultra endurance, drawn to long-term challenges, or navigating your own uncertain path in the sport, this episode offers a rare, honest look at what sustains performance over time. ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at Bix’s website for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Piotr Babis: Instagram | Strava Follow James: Instagram | Strava Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

In Episode 88 of Peak Pursuits, James and Vlad are joined by Demi Caldwell to unpack a huge stretch of racing across Australia and the international trail scene. Demi reflects on her breakthrough third-place finish at the fiercely competitive Kosci 50, breaking down race strategy, course execution, and a season that’s steadily built momentum at the pointy end of Australian women’s trail running. Vlad recaps his international podium at the Oman ultra, diving into the brutally technical course, racing at altitude, mandatory gear controversy, and why the event is shaping into a future UTMB destination race. The episode also covers key domestic results, athlete trends, gear insights, coaching discussion, and what the current calendar says about where Australian trail running is heading. A must-listen for runners tracking podium performances, race analysis, and the sport’s next phase. Results: ATR Summer Series 2: Bridgewater (SA) Peaks & Passages (ACT)***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Demi: Instagram | YouTube Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Follow Vlad: Instagram | Strava Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

In this episode of Peak Pursuits, James and Sim catch up with uphill specialist Iain Best, fresh off a dominant five-week streak of wins across Four Peaks, GSER, and the Buller Skyrun. Iain breaks down his European VK block, the brutal Fully course, racing tactics, and how back-to-back domestic races became a “victory tour” of fitness. The team also dives into major national news: automatic selection for Australia’s Asia-Pacific Trail Running Championships, plus the return of the Golden Trail National Series with a single-race championship at Donna Double. Sim gives a raw and insightful update on her recovery from POTS, navigating a strict return-to-run protocol and sprint-based rehab. Packed with race results, athlete updates, and big-picture implications for Australian trail running, this is a must-listen for anyone tracking the sport’s fastest movers heading into 2026. Results: Afterglow Twilight Half Marathon Duval Dam Buster Trail Run ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Simone: Instagram | Strava Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Fresh off a stacked Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 50km, newly minted Aussie citizen Juliette Sewell joins Jess and Brodie for a deep dive into one of the most competitive women’s fields of the Australian trail-running season. Juliette breaks down her fifth-place finish, navigating a brutal descent, shin-scare drama, dialled-in fuelling, and race-day winds that literally knocked her off her feet. We unpack tactics, training tweaks, heat adaptation, uphill treadmill work and her big 2025 target: chasing a Golden Ticket at Tarawera.  Brodie then recaps his gritty run at Great Southern Endurance Run, while Jess reflects on a tough but powerful Kosci finish before diving into results.  A packed, honest, news-driven episode for anyone following Australia’s summer trail racing pulse. Results: Ultra Trail Kosciuszko  The Heroes & Villains Trail Run ***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Brodie: Instagram | Strava Follow Jess: Instagram | Strava   Follow Juliette: Instagram | Strava Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

In this episode of Peak Pursuits, James and Vlad sit down with Adidas Terrex athlete Charlie Hamilton, fresh off his third-place podium at Ultra-Trail Cape Town 55km. Charlie breaks down the brutal technical course, the stacked international field, and how three weeks on the Cape Town trails transformed his race day confidence. The trio dive into elite training insights, including Charlie’s shift to physiologically-driven coaching, technical downhill development, and how he’s preparing for Tarawera 100km. They also explore the evolution of Adidas’ Agravic Speed Ultra 2, World Trail Majors significance, and what this result means for the future of Australian trail running.A must-listen for athletes following UTCT, gear updates, and the rise of Aussie talent on the global stage. Results: UTCT 100km and 55km World Trail Majors GSER (VIC) ATR (Adelaide Trail Runners) Summer Series 1: Black Hill (SA) SEQ Trail Series Round 4: Bayview (QLD) Sydney Trail Spring Series Race 3: St Ives (NSW)***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!*** Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! Follow Vlad: Instagram | Strava Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website Follow Charlie: Instagram  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

In this event preview James and Brodie are joined by Kellie Angel to talk all things UTK as we prepare for the showdowns happening this week! Hear detailed breakdowns of the course and fields, including our predictions on who will come out on top. Looking forward to what will no doubt be some great battles to close out the 2025 season! Thanks for joining us on Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod and share your thoughts, questions, or your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits! James: @coachjamessieberBrodie: @brodie_nankKellie: @kelemmo UTK: @ultratrailkosciuszko Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicana License code: MFJHTO0ZMVHA84WI