Kia ora e te whānau. The first clue to Matthew having an inkling that his faculties might be slipping is when he starts announcing every episode of the AidStation as number 25, just like this week. Age is a tyranny that we all face, and this week-old mates Andrew and Matt run down the question of when it is time to accept that you are not 25 anymore and if you should be. or would you want to go back to being 25 again? what keeps you going into middle age and beyond? and what's Matt's obsession with 25 anyway? But look. Despite the perseveration, this is an excellent conversation about strategies to keep your faculties, a tender chat about tender quads and the importance of not starting your races like a dickhead. Which is something that comes with age, I guess. Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running

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Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

Kia 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 Matt spoke to Jasmin about all this, and Green Runners, the organisation she co-founded with Damian Hall to advocate for, and address climate issues related to the sport of running and the wider world. We hope you enjoy this conversation, and are at least as stoked and inspired as we were. Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running

Jasmin Paris Instagram

The Green Runners 

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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 Running

Lucy Bartholomew

Corrine Malcolm 

Freetrail

 Tarawera Ultra Trail By UTMB 

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Kia ora e te whānau. When Adrian MacDonald moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, he didn’t do it for the trails, he did it for love and the chance to run hills at altitude. With a background in road and track, MacDonald didn’t hit the trails until the pandemic canceled races and he thought he’d try his hand at an FKT. The rest, as they say, is history. Andrew and Matt speak to Adrian about his back-to-back wins at the historic Leadville 100, what it took to get him there, his road, er, trail to Western States, and just how much of a nuisance Sam Harvey is to race the 100-mile distance *Spoiler Alert* exactly how much you’d think he is.  Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running

Adrian MacDonald home 

Adrian MacDonald Instagram 

On

Coros

Carbs Fuel 

Leadville 100

 Tarawera Ultra Trail By UTMB 

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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 great to hear the pros being quick on their feet in a different sense of the word. Also, you’ll hear in this episode a tale of two milers and Ali’s perspective starting these events and welcoming people home.  Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running

 Tarawera Ultra Trail By UTMB 

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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, that Lucy Bartholomew)  to provide the inside track on the action at this weekend's 50, 102, and 100mile Tarawera Ultra Trail. With thousands set to hammer the trails, there is some super-spicy racing across all the fields. Still, with a Western States Endurance Run Golden Ticket on the line for the first two men and women in the 102km, it’s undeniable that this distance will leave people reaching for the cold water. With approximately 100000 years of experience between the five of us from elite to coach to corn-fed citizen athlete there’s plenty to keep everyone interested no matter your focus this weekend, So sit back, relax, and enjoy! Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running

 Lucy Bartholomew - Instagram

Lucy Bartholomew @ Salomon

 Tarawera Ultra Trail By UTMB 

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Kia ora e te whānau. You know the feeling when you are running down a trail and it gets so good that you feel that you are flowing and then you push it just that little bit and you suddenly figure out that you are holding onto the dirt and sanity by your fingertips? Yeah. This episode is like that but in podcast form. In this episode, our heroes discuss what it truly means to commit to a big race, and how they can haunt your dreams. The crew rips through their bucket list races (if money was no object) and then some more realistic options. Finally, in a truly historic DCR moment, the batton of impulsivity is solemnly passed from Matt to Andrew McDowell, who has slaughtered the most fattened trail calf and declared war on his bbq reggae-loving brethren in Wellington with his all-out assault on the Tararua Ranges. I mean, Karel made it look easy, nē? Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running

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Kia 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 Andrew about her extraordinary career in the sport, her love of Aotearoa, and an incredible, in-depth, and honest discussion about what goes into being a professional runner and a parent. From post-partum to the joys and travails of travelling to races with young children, and the parenting juggle, to the business aspect of sponsorship, longevity, and perspective, Basham took us to school. This is an incredible conversation with an amazing human being. Thanks, Amanda!! Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running

Amanda Basham Home 

Amanda Basham Instagram 

Altra

Garmin

UltrAspire 

Buff USA

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During the taper phase common side effects include (and are not limited to): Madness, phantom pain, irritability, insatiable hunger and thirst, endless worry, and comparison. You will be a dick to your family at some point. You will be self-indulgent and mope in a Zoom call going “No one even knows what I’m going through”. You will stress about your training, and your gear choice, and you will have regrets. You will feel like you are losing fitness. You will question your life choices. 

Don't worry. Matt, Ali, and Andrew have the ointment.  

Kia ora e te whanāu. For the first DCR pod of 2025, we bring you a conversation Ali recorded with sports dietitian and ultramarathon runner Erin Colebatch. With race season fast approaching it’s time to get your nutritional strategies dialed in (and who couldn’t be a little more dialed in, right?). Ali and Erin talk about how nutrition can be simple, which is difficult from easy, a practical approach to carbohydrates, and perhaps most salient for those undertaking long runs, how one can avoid being like the pope or a bear in the woods. We’ve also got an excellent Greatest Run Ever from last year’s GPT and more on this week’s episode. Dirt Church Radio - Best Enjoyed Running