Kia ora e te whānau. This week Matt has the pleasure of speaking to Andy Carruthers, Wellington adventure lover, runner, and creator of the Tararua S-K movie. The S-K, or Schorman- Kaitoki, is a tramping route in the Tararua Range with a distance of approximately 80km and with 6800m of elevation gain. Conceived as a weekend challenge in the 1960’s by the four main tramping clubs in Wellington as to who could do it in a single weekend, the desire for people to travel faster and lighter has only grown in the preceding 60 years. Matt speaks to Andy about his love affair with the S-K, his history with the route, his successes and challenges, and his decision to document the route and the people who have informed this most legendary of mountain journeys . Best Enjoyed Running.

Episode Links 

Tararua S-K Movie 

SCOTT Running 

Julbo Eyewear 

UltrAspire

irunfar

Dirt Church Radio on Instagram

Dirt Church Radio on Twitter 

Dirt Church Radio on Facebook 

Dirt Church Radio on Patreon

Ciele

Further Faster New Zealand

Kia ora e te whānau. This week by popular demand Eugene and Matt speak to Ash Bartholomew, who triggered a worldwide explosion of  “it’s suddenly being very dusty in here” as he rolled into the Placer Track at the end of the Western States Endurance Run two minutes over the 30 hour cut off accompanied by his daughter, Lucy (yes, that Lucy). Ash had started strong but a wrong turn in the final stages cost him dearly . We talk to Ash about his life spent running, and how what started off as a self-described “selfish” hobby has led to an incredible relationship and many miles shared with Lucy over the years and a ringside seat to her journey as a global ultramarathon star. Ash speaks with fondness how his boys Josh, and now Thomas, have also picked up the running bug, with Josh smashing a 13 hour Ultra Trail Australia, and Thomas soon to undertake his first marathon. Honest, reflective, and humble, this is one conversation that you won't want to miss.  Best Enjoyed Running.

Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene and Matt have the extreme pleasure of speaking to returning champion Dan Jones about his incredible 5th place finish at the 2023 Western States Endurance Run. When last we spoke to Dan on DCR he’d journeyed to Kenya to hone his craft with the hope of representing New Zealand at the marathon. What was supposed to be a relatively short trip ended up being months when the world shut down due to covid. This is when Dan first went down the Western States rabbit hole. Fast forward a couple of years and with a golden ticket entry under his belt after the Tarawera Ultramarathon 102km win Dan was ready to go. With his trademark enthusiasm and complete lack of pretense Dan talks to us about his build up, his efforts to get the final 1%, his training in the States with his close friend Hayden Hawks, and the race itself. We both had sore faces from smiling so much. This episode is a wee ripper. PLUS Dan tells us about what he’s up to next, you heard it here first. Best Enjoyed Running.

Episode Links 

Daniel Jones on Instagram 

Curranz

Asics NZ 

Clifbar

SCOTT Running 

Julbo Eyewear 

UltrAspire

irunfar

Dirt Church Radio on Instagram

Dirt Church Radio on Twitter 

Dirt Church Radio on Facebook 

Dirt Church Radio on Patreon

Ciele

Further Faster New Zealand

Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene and Matt sit down to speak with Sam Harvey fresh off his return from Dead Cow Gully. Sam was competing at the Australian Backyard Masters and managed a world record equalling 101 laps over four days and 677-odd kilometres. We talk to Sam about being (in his words) unreasonable, and what he felt going in, versus what he learned going out. Sam is (again, by his own admission) a fighter, and we talk about this desire to scrap with literally everyone and everything with his burgeoning sense of development of self and transcendence through days and days of pain and connection on a deeper level with others on the course. Sam discusses what made him stop, and why it’s eating him. We hear of his excitement at the upcoming Big’s Backyard in Tennessee and we (in our most avuncular manner) attempt to dissuade Sam from competing in the Krazie K’s backyard a week after Dead Cow Gully. *Spoiler Alert* the little bastard went and won it with 42 laps. Best Enjoyed Running.

Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene and Matt speak to UTA 100 Champion George Murray. Originally from the South Island town of Blenheim, George has taken a circuitous journey  to be at the beginning of an amazing journey, from his first love of mountain biking, pivoting through to road marathons, then onto the trails. George’s approach to training could be considered unconventional due to his week-on-week-off schedule working in the mines. George talks us through the race, his mindset going in, and the simplicity with which he approached the day, and the result that spoke for itself. Best enjoyed whilst running. 

Episode Links 

Ultra-trail Australia Home 

George Murray on Instagram 

SCOTT Running 

Julbo Eyewear 

UltrAspire

irunfar

Dirt Church Radio on Instagram

Dirt Church Radio on Twitter 

Dirt Church Radio on Facebook 

Dirt Church Radio on Patreon

Ciele

Further Faster New Zealand

Kia ora e te whānau.This week Eugene and Matt speak with Alex Bezzina who has completed the FKT for the northbound Te Araroa Trail – 3000km in 60 days travelling from Bluff to Cape Reinga. Alex fell in love with running during lockdown and was Inspired by hearing the story of Brooke Thomas’ Te Araroa Southbound FKT. The added impetus for Alex was that he is a massive LOTR fan and therefore is rather enamoured by the topography of the central North Island, so Northbound it was. Having convinced his dad (who, to be fair didn’t need much) and embarking on a training regime with Adam Keen of Aerobic Edge  Alex was off on his journey. There was also the small matter of attempting to raise $30,000 for NZ Forest and Bird whilst he was at it. This is an amazing conversation recounting an incredible journey. Alex remains curious, and full of gratitude, which makes his achievement all the more righteous. Best enjoyed whilst running. 

Episode Links 

The Lost Hobbit on Instagram 

Givealittle for NZ birds 

SCOTT Running 

Julbo Eyewear 

UltrAspire

irunfar

Dirt Church Radio on Instagram

Dirt Church Radio on Twitter 

Dirt Church Radio on Facebook 

Dirt Church Radio on Patreon

Ciele

Further Faster New Zealand

Kia ora e te whānau. This week Eugene speaks with Sophie Power. Sophie is an ultrarunner who has recently been announced in the Great Britain team for the world 24 hour champs, after setting a lifetime best of 235.739 km. Sophie shot to global fame after the 2018 UTMB when she was photographed breastfeeding her 3 month old at an aid station. The photo went viral and Sophie started speaking out - she had only lined up for the race because, at the time, UTMB wouldn’t allow for a deferral because of pregnancy* … although it would for some injuries. Sophie has set up SheRaces, an organization that fights to change the way that women are viewed and treated in racing, and they are getting results. She’s now got three children and has been very open about her postpartum returns to running. Eugene  talks to Sophie all about this, as well as how she fits training into her busy life, and her favourite races including Spartathlon. Best enjoyed whilst running. 

*This policy has now been changed. 

Episode Links 

Sheraces

Ultra Sophie Instagram 

Ultra Sophie Home 

SCOTT Running 

Julbo Eyewear 

UltrAspire

irunfar

Dirt Church Radio on Instagram

Dirt Church Radio on Twitter 

Dirt Church Radio on Facebook 

Dirt Church Radio on Patreon

Ciele

Further Faster New Zealand

Kia ora e te whānau. *We acknowledge the Gundungarra people, the traditional custodians of the land that this podcast was recorded on, and pay respect to their elders past, present, and emerging*. Stop what you are doing and go run in the Blue Mountains … it’s really just that good … and what follows is a blast of a podcast detailing the epicness of the 15th running of UTA. Matt and special guest host Ali Pottinger break down the four days of the festival from some very scenic locations (ha!), the traditional DCR running of all the things before our 12-hour night shift takes place and we also bring to you the UTA elite Q&A featuring Scotty Hawker, Troy Sachs, Charlie Hamilton, and Lucy Bartholomew. Best enjoyed whilst running. 

Episode Links 

Ultra trail Australia by UTMB 

SCOTT Running 

Julbo Eyewear 

UltrAspire

irunfar

Dirt Church Radio on Instagram

Dirt Church Radio on Twitter 

Dirt Church Radio on Facebook 

Dirt Church Radio on Patreon

Ciele

Further Faster New Zealand

Kia ora e te whānau. Running a marathon is difficult, be it a PR, a grind, a failure, or in training, 42.2km is a distance the demands respect. Imagine running one, then another, then another, then another 147 back-to-back, mainly off road, in some of the wildest country in one of the wildest places on earth. This is what we talk to Guiness world record holder (pending), nutritionist and author Erchana Murray-Bartlett about in this episode of Dirt Church Radio. We cover the why, where, and how of this amazing endevour, discover that maybe a chance meeting on a mountain can lead to beautiful things, that the ideal ratio of icecream scoops when running 150 marathons  is n+1  and to never get between a wild bull and your e-bike riding mum. Best enjoyed whilst running. 

Episode Links 

Erchana Murray-Bartlett Instagram 

tip to toe 2022

Tip to toe gofundme

SCOTT Running 

Julbo Eyewear 

UltrAspire

irunfar

Dirt Church Radio on Instagram

Dirt Church Radio on Twitter 

Dirt Church Radio on Facebook 

Dirt Church Radio on Patreon

Ciele

Further Faster New Zealand

Kia ora e te whānau. Mal Law is one of the best known names in the Aotearoa trail running. Mal has raised just shy of a million dollars for charity with his many multi-day adventures. Mal and his wife Sally are also known as the founders of Wild Things, the on-line trail running community beloved to many. Inspired by a fastpacking mission around the iconic Hardrock course, Mal came up with the concept for The Wild. Of course, an events company called Fusion Events which had been brought in to run the event went into liquidation in September last year, owing plenty of people plenty of money - that of course meant the race was off. Mal has now taken back the vision and operation of The Wild. Eugene and Matt have a frank and open conversation all about the trials and tribulations of the collapse of his - and many other people’s - dream last year, as well as the resurrection of the race, which will debut this December. We also talk to him about his next adventure - heading off to take on his second attempt at a sub-24 hour Bob Graham Round in the UK. Best enjoyed whilst running. 

Episode Links 

The Wild 

Mal Law Instagram 

The Wild Instagram 

SCOTT Running 

Julbo Eyewear 

UltrAspire

irunfar

Dirt Church Radio on Instagram

Dirt Church Radio on Twitter 

Dirt Church Radio on Facebook 

Dirt Church Radio on Patreon

Ciele

Further Faster New Zealand