In this episode of Peak Pursuits, James and Sim catch up with uphill specialist Iain Best, fresh off a dominant five-week streak of wins across Four Peaks, GSER, and the Buller Skyrun. Iain breaks down his European VK block, the brutal Fully course, racing tactics, and how back-to-back domestic races became a “victory tour” of fitness.

The team also dives into major national news: automatic selection for Australia’s Asia-Pacific Trail Running Championships, plus the return of the Golden Trail National Series with a single-race championship at Donna Double. Sim gives a raw and insightful update on her recovery from POTS, navigating a strict return-to-run protocol and sprint-based rehab.

Packed with race results, athlete updates, and big-picture implications for Australian trail running, this is a must-listen for anyone tracking the sport’s fastest movers heading into 2026.

Results:

Afterglow Twilight Half Marathon

Duval Dam Buster Trail Run

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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!

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Fresh off a stacked Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko 50km, newly minted Aussie citizen Juliette Sewell joins Jess and Brodie for a deep dive into one of the most competitive women’s fields of the Australian trail-running season. Juliette breaks down her fifth-place finish, navigating a brutal descent, shin-scare drama, dialled-in fuelling, and race-day winds that literally knocked her off her feet. We unpack tactics, training tweaks, heat adaptation, uphill treadmill work and her big 2025 target: chasing a Golden Ticket at Tarawera.

 Brodie then recaps his gritty run at Great Southern Endurance Run, while Jess reflects on a tough but powerful Kosci finish before diving into results. 

A packed, honest, news-driven episode for anyone following Australia’s summer trail racing pulse.

• Ultra Trail Kosciuszko 
• The Heroes & Villains Trail Run 

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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!

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In this episode of Peak Pursuits, James and Vlad sit down with Adidas Terrex athlete Charlie Hamilton, fresh off his third-place podium at Ultra-Trail Cape Town 55km. Charlie breaks down the brutal technical course, the stacked international field, and how three weeks on the Cape Town trails transformed his race day confidence.

The trio dive into elite training insights, including Charlie’s shift to physiologically-driven coaching, technical downhill development, and how he’s preparing for Tarawera 100km. They also explore the evolution of Adidas’ Agravic Speed Ultra 2, World Trail Majors significance, and what this result means for the future of Australian trail running.
A must-listen for athletes following UTCT, gear updates, and the rise of Aussie talent on the global stage.

• UTCT 100km and 55km World Trail Majors
• GSER (VIC)
• ATR (Adelaide Trail Runners) Summer Series 1: Black Hill (SA)
• SEQ Trail Series Round 4: Bayview (QLD)
• Sydney Trail Spring Series Race 3: St Ives (NSW)

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Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits!

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!

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In this event preview James and Brodie are joined by Kellie Angel to talk all things UTK as we prepare for the showdowns happening this week!

Hear detailed breakdowns of the course and fields, including our predictions on who will come out on top.

Looking forward to what will no doubt be some great battles to close out the 2025 season!

Thanks for joining us on Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod and share your thoughts, questions, or your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!

James: @coachjamessieber
Brodie: @brodie_nank
Kellie: @kelemmo

UTK: @ultratrailkosciuszko

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In this episode of Peak Pursuits, Sophie Broome joins Jess and Brodie to unpack her journey to the upcoming UTK 100. 

Sophie reflects on bouncing back from a tough DNF at UTA, the science and testing she’s used to refine her fueling and pacing, and how she’s balancing training with work. Jess shares her own build-up, the challenges of managing anxiety and hormones, and the mental strategies she’s been practicing with a sports psychologist. Together they explore the realities of long-distance trail racing—training dynamics, recovery, mindset, and the importance of arriving fresh and ready to execute on race day.

Keep listening for some trail running news and results from Cost 2 Kosci, Run Bibbulmun Stage Race, Narrowneck Night Run and more!

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au 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 your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!

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In this episode of Peak Pursuits, James, Brodie, and Simone reconnect for a big week in trail running.

Simone opens up about her ongoing recovery journey and navigating life with POTS, Brodie breaks down his strong return to racing at Triple Tops and what’s next at GSER, and James shares his cautious but optimistic first steps back from a stress fracture.

The trio dive deep into what smart tapering really looks like for trail and ultra runners — from elite examples to personal lessons — before wrapping up with race results from GPT, Feral Pig, and Triple Tops.

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au 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 your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!

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Trail running is tough on the body — but most injuries don’t happen by chance. They happen from overload, poor communication, or the wrong kind of rehab.

In this episode, James sits down with Luke Nelson, sports chiropractor, running coach, educator and podcaster, to unpack what true injury prevention really looks like for trail runners.

They explore how to manage training load, why ankle sprains are rarely “simple,” the science of staying fit while injured, and how specific strength and plyometric work can make you more resilient on the trails.

Whether you’re chasing your first ultra or your next podium, this conversation will change how you think about running healthy, strong, and injury-free.

***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!

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In Episode 82, James, Brodie, and Jess cover a massive week in Australian trail running. Jess shares her Kosci 50km training update (plus some broccoli-sprout science), Brodie dives into weighted uphill training and his return from injury, and James reflects on progress in his own recovery.

The crew unpack the latest news shaking up the sport — from Salomon backing the Olympic bid to Singletrack taking over Running Wild events — and what it all means for the future of trail running in Australia.

They also recap all the action from Four Peaks, including standout performances from Lucy Bartholomew, Demi Caldwell, Ian Best, and Kate Avery.

Tune in for the biggest stories, insightful takes, and plenty of good banter from the trail.

Results:

• 4 Peaks (VIC)
• Portland 3 Bays Running Festival (VIC)
• King Of The Hill BYU (VIC)
• Bare Creek Trail Run (NSW)
• Kunanyi Trail Series: Knockers & Knockers Sport (TAS)

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Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits!

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!

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For this event preview, James and Brodie are joined by special guest Ben Burgess. Ben raced in the 100 mile event last year and was placed 2nd when the dust settled, and has a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm about this event!

We preview the overall event and the special, yet demanding conditions in which it is held, diving in deep to the 50km and 100 mile fields.

Looking forward to what will no doubt be an epic 4 days of racing, hopefully a little cooler this year!

Thanks for joining us on Peak Pursuits! Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod and share your thoughts, questions, or your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!

James: @coachjamessieber
Brodie: @brodie_nank
Ben: @_benburgess

GPT 100: @gpt100miler
Photo: @calumnhockey

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The Australian trail running scene is evolving fast — but its governance, funding, and pathways are still catching up.

In this interview, AUTRA President Gary Mullins unpacks the AUTRA Playbook and explains how AUTRA aims to move from advocacy to authority,  working alongside Australian Athletics, professionalising the sport as a whole, standardise events and coaching, empower race directors, and deliver real value to runners at every level.

This episode dives into the real questions: Who holds the power right now? How will governance evolve? And what does it all mean for everyday runners?

From membership models to world championship selection, James and Gary explore what needs to happen next to make trail running stronger, fairer, and more connected.

AUTRA Playbook

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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!

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