We’ve had some big weeks in the running world. With some incredible performances and a new normal being established across the board, from 42.2 to 250 miles. Ali, Andrew, and Matt are here for it, and we have some questions as well. Is our sport, and the big tent that it has become, lost some of its sparkle, its unpredictability, its wonder? Now, every elite performance must surely hinge on the 1%ers.

When is too much too much? Have accomplishment and performance been superseded by attention? Are races now cults of personality driven by an allegiance to race directors? When a brand’s identity overshadows the identity of its runners, is that a good thing? And we’re doping now? sorta? And surely in today’s day and age should we be encouraging elite road runners who have podcasts to shut the F*&k up as much as possible? especially when it comes to gender*

Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running.

​*I think we can all agree on this one.

--- --- ---

Episode Links

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

Kia ora e te whānau. Who is excited for UTA? Gosh, we certainly are. This week, Join Ali and Matt as they preview the elite fields in the miler, 100km, 50km, and 22km events at Ultra Trail Australia, as well as answer those last-minute questions that athletes have when staring an event like this in the face. This year, we’ve decided to do things a little differently, and Ali speaks with Ian ‘easy’ Meyer- one of the foundations of the course marking team, and event stalwart- to dive into the details of the course, what to expect, and the level of detail that goes into planning this incredible event.

Dirt Church Radio—Best Enjoyed Running.

--- --- ---

Episode Links

Ultra Trail Australia by UTMB

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

We’re not going to lie, there was a lot on the docket this week, and boy did Ali, Andrew, and Matt rip through it.

We, the aforementioned, declare that Tamaki is now the distance-running capital of Aotearoa. And also that it is “mad nice” (Friedland, 2026). We charge that big companies should stop doing things that make them look like dicks, and that the Boston thing was sort of okay, and also we wonder if that dude that Jurek helped across the line at Western States ever got a sympathy cougar. READ THE RULES, PEOPLE.

Attending to point 1. We salute Messers McLean, Wadams, Steel, Steel, & Steel for their spectacular efforts at the Faultline Miler.

Andrew McDowall formally and unreservedly apologizes to Shaun Collins for his complete disregard for Trail Nav events in the North Island. We also discussed the little race in London over the weekend and the Wanaka Ultra. Mad Nice indeed.

Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running.

​

--- --- ---

Episode Links

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