The final podcast before Australia’s newest and most brutal trail race — the 2025 Bilgola 500 Pursuit — is here. And it’s huge.

Duns is joined in the gym by one of Australia’s best runners, inaugural champ and course co-creator George “The Growler” MortRam, for a wide-ranging chat covering everything from late inclusions and handicaps to Norwegian Whippet whale-meat diets.

Expect reflections on last year’s chaos and glory, exciting new faces in the chat and on the course (shoutout Sam Wise and Ronnie Spark!), injury updates 😢 (Corey’s knee, Sam’s ankle, Rich’s mysterious silence…), and a MASSIVE ANNOUNCEMENT from George about our first-ever potential sister race in the UK — the start of this madness going global.We dive into:

• Who’s flying, who’s struggling, and who’s outraged about their handicap
• Epic training camps from Mont Blanc to Blåfjellet
• Weather warnings, defib locations, and critical course markings
• Final tips for first-timers (read: don’t end up on the beach, Frits)

Plus, The Growler reveals his mindset heading into this year’s race — and Duns drops a wild Rawdog prediction for who’ll take the win.🎥 Reminder: The documentary crew (ie. me) will be filming on race day (and trying to run… why??). Be natural. Look good.

💰 Don’t forget your $5.50 race entry (cash only!) in an envelope with NAME and COFFEE ORDER on the back

🏁 Sunday 7am start at Porter’s Reserve — get there early to avoid the crowds

🎖️ Winner takes all: the trophy, incredible merch (shoutout Jo at Aspire Run Strength), and the massive prize money (to shout us coffees at Zubi Bilgola)

Like, subscribe, comment, share with your colleagues and family (just so they can question if you’re, in fact, okay), and check out the NEW WEBSITE: www.sondervail.com/bilgola500pursuitChapters:00:10 START LINE — INTRO02:40 AID STATION 1 — REFLECTION ON 202408:09 AID STATION 2 — UPDATES SINCE LAST POD32:03 AID STATION 3 — HOW THIS YEAR IS SHAPING UP43:58 FINISH LINE — CLOSING COMMENTS & REMINDERS

It’s the moment the Australian running community has been patiently waiting for—the handicaps for the 2025 Bilgola 500 Pursuit are here! In this episode, Chief Handicapper Sam "Sandbag" Pollnow steps into the News Studio to unveil the official start times for this years event. What lead will Mark be given? Will navigation be considered in Rich's handicap? Can Corey be beaten? Or will the Growler claim another victim. Tune in to understand the logic, the madness, the controversy. Whether you’re chasing, being chased, or just here for the chaos, this episode is essential listening.🎧 Tune in for the drama, the strategy, and all things Bilgola 500 Pursuit. Like, Subscribe, and Comment with your complaints.

August 10th, 2025 — 7am. Porter's Reserve, Newport.

Episode 1 with Sammy & Duns (okay, technically Episode 2… after that rogue Albanian beach preview) clearly hit a nerve.

And now — broadcasting from exile in the Greek Islands — the Course Director himself has called in.

In this episode, Sion finally exercises his right of reply:

He defends the backwards caps, explains the bib-on-the-back policy (“It’s for the community, people!”), and waxes philosophical — you can build a house, but not a community… or however that saying goes.

Yes, he may be a fascist dictator attempting to rule with an iron fist, but like Chairman Mao, there’s method in the madness. Deep down, he just wants us to come together.

So listen in as the complexities of the Bilgola 500 Pursuit are unravelled like the pinboard in A Beautiful Mind.

The coup may still be on… but the rebel leaders are surprisingly open to collaboration.

But the real winner of this event? Democracy.

📅 Lock in August 10th, 2025 — 7am. The people have spoken.

LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF BILGOLA PLATEAU!! VIVE LA BILGOLA!

Tune in for the response, the rule clarifications, and an update on Duns’ recent time trial attempt — in this critical dispatch from the frontier of fairness and fitness.

THE SEASON HAS STARTED!!!
Sammy and Duns don the headsets to pause and reflect on what’s shaping up to be the biggest Bilgola 500 Pursuit EVER. Well… the second anyway.

In this jam-packed episode, the boys cover course conditions, reflect on last year’s glorious chaos, introduce some serious new talent, and stir the pot just enough to keep things spicy. Yes there's chilli this year.

From Rich’s detours and Lachie’s pain, to Growler’s haunting call, the boys dive deep into the evolution of Australia’s most prestigious (and unrelenting) trail race. We revisit the race origins, the community that fuels it, and the unpredictable beast that is the handicapping system—has sandbagging reached new heights?

Plus:

• Insider training tips from the man gunning to win the Sydney Marathon
• Bold predictions and brewing rivalries
• AND A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED

Special thanks to Sion for his remote assistance—from Poland… or Albania… or wherever he’s currently sunning himself.

It’s part recap, part ramble—the vocal version of the Messenger chat group. Lock in.

From a beautiful beach-side Albanian escape, Sion launches Season 2 with a dramatic, heartfelt attempt to introduce this year’s top 8 competitors for the Bilgola 500. In classic digital nomad fashion, he’s fighting timezone headaches, elusive athletes, and a worrying lack of Strava receipts.

Flying solo for the launch of Season 2025, Sion reflects on the madness of assembling the 2025 field, calls out those dragging their feet on race-day commitment, and makes a plea for every athlete to lock in their +1. It's a sun-soaked prelude to what's shaping up to be the biggest Bilgola500 Pursuit EVER!! Well, it's the second one — without an on-site Course Director — so we'll see...

Whether you're racing, supporting, or just along for the banter, this is your unofficial welcome to the new season of the Bilgola 500 Pursuit.