The Bilgola 500 Pursuit is back for 2026. And there's been a coup. From a treadie in a ghetto gym in Avalon. After months of radio silence from the former Supreme Leader, The Great Chairman Sion, a new regime has emerged from the dusty enclave of the B500 committee. The placard dictator may remain in place, but the iron fist has been softened… or at least outsourced for now.In Episode 1 of the 2026 season, Sam interrupts an important session on the NordicTrack to officially welcome the athletes back, congratulate some enormous performances from the past year — including Samwise’s ridiculous UTA Miler (14th) and Raw Dog’s SECOND PLACE(!!) at the West Macs Monster — and shift focus to the only race that really matters:🏁 The 2026 Bilgola 500 Pursuit📅 Sunday, July 26, 2026🎽 Hats backwards 💰 Entrance fee: Coffee moneyThere are already new contenders circling, old champs sharpening, and the handicap committee Ministry of Truth is now quietly watching and reviewing everything uploaded to Strava. Big Brother nows all.Get your benchmark runs done. Add your plus ones nominated. And prepare yourself for the most brutal trail race in Australia, if not the World. At least Top 5.Welcome back, comrades.LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE BILGOLA PLATEAU AND SURROUNDING SUBURBS.