Dirt Church Radio Trail Running

This week, Matt and Ali carry the torch, as Andrew said he was popping out for soy milk and went to Australia. We run down Vertual July, the controversy with the Six Foot Track Marathon finishing times, and a Hardrock Preview. We debate one of the great trail-running conundrums: shakka vs. goat horns?  What would a grand slam of NZ ultramarathons look like, we wonder? We marvel at the momentum that momentum can give you, the joy of urban trails,  and plan world domination. All this and more at the DCR AidStation.

Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running.

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Episode Links 

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Further Faster New Zealand
Enjoy!
Music and editing by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

This week, it’s Ali, Andrew, and Matt rolling as the power trio we are, without an interview, because we wanted to cover something important and increasingly on people’s minds. 
This started with a response to a Yaboyscottjurek post, where he’d come up with slogans for various personalities in the ultra world, including the race director of an ultra-ultra distance race, with “you wouldn’t want it to be affordable, would you?” on their cap. Matt saw this, laughed, nodded, and moved on with his life, but a listener tagged us and the Freetrail podcast in the post and suggested we might want to dive into the subject. So we did, and the results may shock you. 
Even in a sport as relatively privileged as trail running, people are feeling the financial pinch, and nothing seems to be getting cheaper. So we ran some numbers and are excited to take you through what we found on the true cost of an ultramarathon. We’ve also got all the news from Laverado and Western States, and a follow-up from our man Lachlan Colebatch, who toed the line at Olympic Valley and got the job done. 

Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running.

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Episode Links

Western States Endurance Home
irunfar (the GOATS)
Caitlin Fielder Instagram
Ryan Montgomery Instagram 
Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter and never miss an episode! Join us today.
Dirt Church Radio on Instagram
Dirt Church Radio on Facebook
Further Faster New Zealand
Enjoy!
Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

This week is all about Western States. The history, the myths and legends, and how Ali, Andrew, and Matt first got drawn into the orbit of this incredible race. Andrew, who ran the bloody thing in 2024, confirms that the hype is indeed justified and talks us through the ins and outs of the iconic course. We have interviews with Caitlin Fielder, Holly Ranson, and Lachlan Colbatch, all of whom are toeing the line on Saturday.  Above and beyond all this, we discuss Matt’s wildlife encounter on the weekend, how NZ is a village, discuss the future of the WSER, and vote with our hearts and our heads on who we think will take the win. All this and more at the DCR AidStation.

Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running.

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Episode Links 

Western States Endurance Home
irunfar (the GOATS)
Caitlin Fielder Instagram
Holly Ranson Instagram
Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter and never miss an episode! Join us today.
Dirt Church Radio on Instagram
Dirt Church Radio on Facebook
Further Faster New Zealand
Enjoy!
Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

Kia ora e te whānau. This week, we bring you a double header of epic proportions. First, you’ll hear the 2026 Ultra Trail Australia Women in Trail panel. This episode features elite trail runners Beth McKenzie, Charlie Simpson, Lydia O’Donnell, and Olympian triathlete Sophie Linn. Next, Ali speaks to Dr. Pelle Kempe, a specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist based in Palmerston North. He is the Medical Lead for the Obstetrics and Gynaecology service at Palmerston North Hospital. Dr. Kempe also serves as Chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. A passionate trail runner, Pelle is dedicated to improving women’s health. This conversation explores the intersection of trails and health, the changes and challenges for female athletes, and possible ways forward. (Note for the fellas: Women’s health affects everyone. Stick around, learn something, and enjoy the chat.) 
Dirt Church Radio—Best Enjoyed Running.

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Episode Links 

Beth McKenzie Instagram
Sophie Linn Instagram
Charlie Simpson Instagram
Lydia O’Donnell Instagram
Dr Pelle Kempe Instagram
Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter.
Dirt Church Radio on Instagram
Dirt Church Radio on Facebook
Further Faster New Zealand
Enjoy!
Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

This week is a tribute to togetherness that running can bring us. Ali, Andrew, and Matt celebrate the experience of heading out for a run with your mates, be it a marathon relay, a Denny’s Marathon, or a Coast to Coast to Coast. We explore (literally) some of the cool places you can get to in a city on foot. We salute and welcome Freden, Auckland’s new maunga-based running activity, and reveal our fondness for the ephemera collected post-race, and the memories they hold. We get sub-niche, learn that Fela Kuti’s mum was tough as all get out, and pay our fondest respects to Matua Ken.  All this and more, at the DCR AidStation

Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running.

--- --- --- 
Episode Links 

Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter and never miss an episode! Join us today.
Dirt Church Radio on Instagram
Dirt Church Radio on Facebook
Further Faster New Zealand
Enjoy!
Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake