Peak Pursuits

Welcome back to Peak Pursuits and episode 134. This week Jess and James are joined by Patrick Clark, fresh off four days of battling our very own Vlad Ixel at Four Peaks.

Pat takes us through how that unfolded, including a wrong turn that proved pretty costly, and how he’s balancing finishing school with preparing to represent Australia at the Asia Pacific Champs. We also chat training with Blake Hose, his love of uphill racing, and his side project turning road super shoes into trail shoes.

Elsewhere, Jess talks recovery from Roller Coaster and preparing for the stairs in China, and James finally got some positive news on the running front.

We also get into the action at King of the Hill and the debate around its prize money, plus a listener question about national champs: should funding go towards helping athletes get to the start line, or rewarding performances when they get there?

We finish off with the Patreon Bonus and Caroline's question on book recommendations!

Plenty to get through, along with the weekend’s results and what’s coming up. Let’s get into it.

Follow Pat Clark: Instagram | Strava | Currockbilly Cobbler IG

***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 Jess: Instagram | Strava

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The internationals are coming, but can the Aussies take it to them on home soil?

James and Brodie welcome Sophie Broom back to Peak Pursuits for a deep dive into the 2026 Grampians Peaks Trail 100 Miler and 50km fields. With World Trail Majors points on the line, we unpack the international contenders, local challengers and dark horses who could shake up the podiums.

Beyond the start lists, we break down what makes GPT such a demanding race, from cambered rock slabs to the Mount William climb and the challenges of navigating technical terrain through the night. Brodie shares his experience racing the 50km, while Sophie brings insights from time on the course and getting to know some of the visiting athletes.

We also get stuck into a bigger question: should podium contenders be allowed pacers when international runners don’t have the same access to local support? Plus, course-record potential, poles, pacing and why attracting a world-class field doesn’t necessarily mean more Australians on the start line.

Whether you’re racing, crewing or preparing for a few very unproductive days of dot-watching, settle in for a big preview!

https://www.gpt100.com.au/

https://worldtrailmajors.com/

***Don’t forget, use code PPP 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 Sophie Broome: Instagram | Strava

Follow Brodie: Instagram | Strava | Website

Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website

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In  this ep with Sim, Vlad and Zoe Manning, we catch with Zoe about her year so far, how she is juggling study and training, and what her prep for APTRC has been like.

Then we chat through a big weekend of racing between Vlad tackling Four Peaks and Sim tackling Legends of The Hill, before covering results from GTWS and domestic races.

We hope you enjoy!

Join us on Patreon HERE

• Pemby Trail Fest (WA)
• Run Bibbulmun Track Stage Run (WA)
• Great Ocean Trail Ultra (VIC)
• Paluma Ultra (QLD)
• Heysen Trail Ultra Marathon (SA)

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

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 Sim: Instagram | Strava

Follow Zoe: Instagram 

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Running fast up one mountain is one thing. Backing it up for four days is another.

James Sieber and Brodie Nankervis are joined by Kellie Angel to preview the 2026 Four Peaks Bright Alpine Climb, taking in Mount Buffalo, Mount Feathertop, Mount Hotham and Mystic.

We break down the courses, the challenge of racing on consecutive days, and how alpine weather could shake things up. We also look back at some seriously quick course records and discuss what makes this weekend such a special part of Australian mountain running.

In the women’s field, we discuss Tori Thomas and a strong contingent of orienteers, including Grace Crane. On the men’s side, returning winner Nathan Lawson faces a field featuring Pat Clark, Toby Lang and our own Vlad Ixel. Who has the climbing speed, and who can keep delivering as the days add up?

Plus, Kellie shares her experience of completing all four races, we discuss using the weekend to prepare for the Asia Pacific Championships, and Brodie comes to terms with more of his Strava crowns disappearing.

Whether you’re racing, following the results or considering a future trip to Bright, this is your guide to the weekend ahead.

***Don’t forget, use code PPP 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 Kellie Angel: Instagram | Endurance Edge

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In this episode Brodie, James, and Jess sit down to recap Jess' course record run at Roller Coaster 46km over the weekend, as well as all the other results from the weekend!

Plenty else going on to talk through too including Aus performing brilliantly and the backyard ultra team champs, Moab 240 being cancelled mid-race, and Innsbruck Alpine Trail being added to World Trail Majors. 

We hope you enjoy!

• Blackall100 (QLD)
• Roller Coaster Trail Run (VIC)
• GC50 (last week)

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

Join us on Patreon HERE

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 Brodie: Instagram | Strava

Follow Jess: Instagram | Strava 

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James and Brodie are joined by guest host Sophie Broome to preview this weekend’s Roller Coaster Run in the Dandenongs. With Sophie returning to the 23km start line, we break down the course, the key climbs and the men’s and women’s fields across the 23km and 46km races.

Can Mike Carroll and Kate Avery lower their own course records? We discuss the stacked young men’s 23km field, the final climb that could decide the podiums, and the athletes using Roller Coaster to prepare for the Asia-Pacific Trail Running Championships.

Plus, why hasn’t this race grown bigger given its location, trails and atmosphere?

***Don’t forget, use code PPP 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 Sophie Broome: Instagram | Strava

Follow Brodie: Instagram | Strava | Website

Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website

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This week Sim and Vlad sit down with Toby right after he has completed this years Inward Bound 100km to chat through that adventure and how he is now shifting into the build towards APTRC. Her about Toby's year so far, what Inward Bound entails, and how Toby will prepare to race with the awesome Junior team we have headed to China in November!

You will then hear a brief update from Vlad before we get into some chats about the growth of the junior side of the sport and answer your questions about preparing for 100km and some of the Melb Mara chatter.

Also don't  forget 2027 Australian Mountain and Trail Running Championships athlete support applications close 18 October.

Finally plenty of results to get to before we launch into a post show patreon bonus, talking about how to prepare your legs for downhills and what the few weeks after a big race should look like for training if you want access join us on Patreon HERE . 

We hope you enjoy!

• Mount Bold Trail Run / SA Trail Championships (SA)
• Hume + Hovell Ultra (NSW):
• Sydney Trail Spring Series 2: St Ives (NSW)
• Budj Bim Lava Blast (VIC)
• SEQ Trail Series Round 1: Enoggera Reservoir (QLD)

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

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 Sim: Instagram | Strava

Follow Toby: Instagram | Strava

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In this episode sim and James sit down with Lara Hamilton after she surprised everyone to not just complete but also win the Ultra Trail Sud Pyrenees 120k, her longest race by 70km! Hear about her decision making behind doing the event and how Lara mentally and physically tackled going further than she had ever gone before.

Then hear an update from James about some recent back challenges before Sim details her next big adventure at a last one standing event!

• Barkin Mad Ultra (VIC)
• Beechworth Beer Run (VIC)
• Macedon Trail Run (VIC)
• Sydney Trail Marathon (NSW)

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

Join us on Patreon HERE

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 Sim: Instagram | Strava

Follow Lara: Instagram

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In this episode Jess and Brodie sit down with Kellie Angel to talk through her recent races, her impressive longevity in the sport, and what it means to be competing in her 8th Australian team as Co-Captain. Hear about Kel's recent coaching change, how her year has been so far, and what her prep for APTRC will look like. 

In news the crew discuss the athlete support and state team competitions announced for the Aus champs at KMR 2027, as well as changes to the UTMB Age Group Qualifying structure ad some insane prize money at Run Rabbit Run in USA. 

Finally listen in for the speedsters of the week at our domestic events - we hope you enjoy!

• Kunanyi Trail Series: Ridgy Didge (TAS)
• Lamington Classic (QLD)
• Lonely Mountain Ultra (NSW)

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

Join us on Patreon HERE

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 Kellie: Instagram 

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Follow Jess: Instagram | Strava 

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This week, James welcomes Shane Johnstone back to the podcast to chat about the story behind Transcend and what goes into building a trail event in WA’s Avon Valley.

After joining this year’s live broadcast, James wanted to hear more about why Shane and his business partner Mitch do things the way they do. From experiences racing overseas to finding a way through the valley, Shane shares how Transcend came about and the details they’ve put into making it special for everyone in the field.

We get into the realities of running an independent event, why they keep investing in live coverage, and how much thought goes into everything from aid station food to the finish village. There’s also plenty on growing the WA trail scene, attracting competitive fields, and giving East Coast runners a reason to head west.

If you’ve ever wondered where your entry fee goes, or what makes a race worth coming back to, there’s plenty in this one.

Find out more about Transcend: https://transcendtrails.com/

***Don’t forget, use code PPP 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 Shane Johnstone: Instagram | Transcend Website

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