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BONUS POD: Keep It Peripheral—Eszter Horanyi of iRunFar.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.com
Kia ora e te whānau! Sometimes it happens. You speak with someone cool and interesting and then come away with a nagging stem of a question you should have asked. When I talked to Eszter Horanyi this was some variation of the following. “What does Coddiwompling even mean??” Well if you must know, to Coddiwomple means to travel purposefully to an unknown destination. And goodness me if that isn’t a raison d’etre for Colorado-based Horanyi. Growing up in the mountains as a free-range kid, and then racing bikes for a decade, including a 19-day Tour Divide FKT, transitioning to two feet to focus on the shiny things in the periphery, not “big goals”. Splitting her time between Colorado and Te Waiponamu Eszter embodies the spirit of adventure and freedom that our sport can (sometimes) only touch on. Please Enjoy this bonus podcast while we are away in the Snowy Mountains. Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running.
Merch alert!
Rep your 3rd favourite trail and ultra marathon podcast whilst keeping cool and breezy in this technical trucker hat. Pleasing woodland vista, and one size fits most. Out now!
$NZ59.99 plus postage and packaging with a discount for DCR AidStation paid subscribers (who can scroll down for the code).
Available from the DCR website
Our mates at Squadrun have come up with a special four-week training trial for listeners of DCR. Now as you’ll know from listening to DCR over the years, Squadrun is the baby of Kerry Suter and Ali Pottinger, and they have coached thousands of runners to success at a bunch of events we love and cherish and if you’ve been to any trail races on either side of the Tasman you’ll have seen the squadrun colours being represented strongly. So, if you want to give it a crack, here’s the link.
Missed out on episodes of the Dirt Church Radio podcast? Listen on your favourite app. There are more than 290 episodes.
And check us out on YouTube!
Dirt Church In The Wild :
Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th November- Ali and Matt will be commentating at Ultra Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB. Hi-fives and chats are most welcome.
Essay
Why Grassroots Events Rule and Why I’m (Just a little bit) Chimp Crazy
It’s 0312 as I type this. I’m aware that this is not optimal. I’ve gotta get up at 0330 tomorrow to get to the airport, but sometimes the brain fires up when it does. Just before I woke I was dreaming about the long corridor on the lower ground floor at North Shore Hospital but I was looking after baby Chimps and Oran Utans along it. As 0300 dreams go, It was pretty cool. As I’m up when I shouldn’t be, The dog is also up when he shouldn’t be, we are both a bit confused.
I presume I dreamt about Uran Utans and Chimps because in the afterglow of Rage Against Riverhead at the weekend I’d lay on the grass, with Rebecca, Lily, Madeliene, Annie-Rose, and Meg and listened to them talk about what I consider the biggest cultural car-crash spectacles in a year of pile-ups. Chimp Crazy.
I don’t advocate that you watch this program, however, if we follow the maxim that “there’s nowt so queer as folk” then at the same time I guess I do.
What does Chimp Crazy have to do with trail and ultramarathon running you may ask? Well. Not that much. What do 0300 Chimp dreams have to do with a deep and abiding love of grassroots events like Rage Against Riverhead? Heaps.
When we think about trail running, our minds often wander to epic races—those grand, jaunty spectacles filled with elite athletes dashing through breathtaking scenery at unbelievable speed. And sure, while those events capture the limelight, it’s the grassroots races—the small (comparatively), intimate gatherings of everyday runners—that are the true heartbeat of our community. These local events serve not just as competitions; they embody the spirit of our community, bringing together people of all skill levels and backgrounds.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love a big race, and I’m privileged enough to hang out at a bunch of them, but all the events I’ve done in 2024 (including the two I’ve been involved in putting on) have been grassroots. As it’s HOURS until my alarm goes off here are a couple of reasons to give a grassroots race in your community some support:
Community
Grassroots events are fundamental in fostering a sense of community. They create a welcoming environment where friendships are forged, stories are shared, and encouragement flows freely. Unlike larger races, where the focus often shifts to speed and competition, grassroots gatherings emphasize participation and inclusivity. Every runner, whether a seasoned ultra-marathoner or a newcomer tackling their first 5K, is celebrated. This camaraderie nurtures a supportive atmosphere, ensuring that everyone feels valued and connected.
Encouraging Local Engagement
These events often highlight local rippers of all ages and showcase unique trails that might not be on the radar of larger races, even if these trails are in a less-than-storied location. Grassroots organizations often partner with local businesses, fostering relationships that promote community engagement. This focus on local not only promotes the trail community in the area but will also transfer to the wider community (see: Riverhead Rampage). This engagement strengthens the trail-running ecosystem, making it sustainable and vibrant.
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By DCR AidStationThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit dirtchurchradio.substack.com
Kia ora e te whānau! Sometimes it happens. You speak with someone cool and interesting and then come away with a nagging stem of a question you should have asked. When I talked to Eszter Horanyi this was some variation of the following. “What does Coddiwompling even mean??” Well if you must know, to Coddiwomple means to travel purposefully to an unknown destination. And goodness me if that isn’t a raison d’etre for Colorado-based Horanyi. Growing up in the mountains as a free-range kid, and then racing bikes for a decade, including a 19-day Tour Divide FKT, transitioning to two feet to focus on the shiny things in the periphery, not “big goals”. Splitting her time between Colorado and Te Waiponamu Eszter embodies the spirit of adventure and freedom that our sport can (sometimes) only touch on. Please Enjoy this bonus podcast while we are away in the Snowy Mountains. Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running.
Merch alert!
Rep your 3rd favourite trail and ultra marathon podcast whilst keeping cool and breezy in this technical trucker hat. Pleasing woodland vista, and one size fits most. Out now!
$NZ59.99 plus postage and packaging with a discount for DCR AidStation paid subscribers (who can scroll down for the code).
Available from the DCR website
Our mates at Squadrun have come up with a special four-week training trial for listeners of DCR. Now as you’ll know from listening to DCR over the years, Squadrun is the baby of Kerry Suter and Ali Pottinger, and they have coached thousands of runners to success at a bunch of events we love and cherish and if you’ve been to any trail races on either side of the Tasman you’ll have seen the squadrun colours being represented strongly. So, if you want to give it a crack, here’s the link.
Missed out on episodes of the Dirt Church Radio podcast? Listen on your favourite app. There are more than 290 episodes.
And check us out on YouTube!
Dirt Church In The Wild :
Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th November- Ali and Matt will be commentating at Ultra Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB. Hi-fives and chats are most welcome.
Essay
Why Grassroots Events Rule and Why I’m (Just a little bit) Chimp Crazy
It’s 0312 as I type this. I’m aware that this is not optimal. I’ve gotta get up at 0330 tomorrow to get to the airport, but sometimes the brain fires up when it does. Just before I woke I was dreaming about the long corridor on the lower ground floor at North Shore Hospital but I was looking after baby Chimps and Oran Utans along it. As 0300 dreams go, It was pretty cool. As I’m up when I shouldn’t be, The dog is also up when he shouldn’t be, we are both a bit confused.
I presume I dreamt about Uran Utans and Chimps because in the afterglow of Rage Against Riverhead at the weekend I’d lay on the grass, with Rebecca, Lily, Madeliene, Annie-Rose, and Meg and listened to them talk about what I consider the biggest cultural car-crash spectacles in a year of pile-ups. Chimp Crazy.
I don’t advocate that you watch this program, however, if we follow the maxim that “there’s nowt so queer as folk” then at the same time I guess I do.
What does Chimp Crazy have to do with trail and ultramarathon running you may ask? Well. Not that much. What do 0300 Chimp dreams have to do with a deep and abiding love of grassroots events like Rage Against Riverhead? Heaps.
When we think about trail running, our minds often wander to epic races—those grand, jaunty spectacles filled with elite athletes dashing through breathtaking scenery at unbelievable speed. And sure, while those events capture the limelight, it’s the grassroots races—the small (comparatively), intimate gatherings of everyday runners—that are the true heartbeat of our community. These local events serve not just as competitions; they embody the spirit of our community, bringing together people of all skill levels and backgrounds.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love a big race, and I’m privileged enough to hang out at a bunch of them, but all the events I’ve done in 2024 (including the two I’ve been involved in putting on) have been grassroots. As it’s HOURS until my alarm goes off here are a couple of reasons to give a grassroots race in your community some support:
Community
Grassroots events are fundamental in fostering a sense of community. They create a welcoming environment where friendships are forged, stories are shared, and encouragement flows freely. Unlike larger races, where the focus often shifts to speed and competition, grassroots gatherings emphasize participation and inclusivity. Every runner, whether a seasoned ultra-marathoner or a newcomer tackling their first 5K, is celebrated. This camaraderie nurtures a supportive atmosphere, ensuring that everyone feels valued and connected.
Encouraging Local Engagement
These events often highlight local rippers of all ages and showcase unique trails that might not be on the radar of larger races, even if these trails are in a less-than-storied location. Grassroots organizations often partner with local businesses, fostering relationships that promote community engagement. This focus on local not only promotes the trail community in the area but will also transfer to the wider community (see: Riverhead Rampage). This engagement strengthens the trail-running ecosystem, making it sustainable and vibrant.