In this episode, we sit down with Finn Melanson from Singletrack to talk about where Australian trail running sits in the wider world, why our scene still feels underrated, and what is actually building beneath the surface. From the rise of events like Buffalo, GPT and Kosci, to the athletes starting to break through, this is a conversation about momentum, visibility, and what still needs to happen for Australia to be taken more seriously on the global stage.

We also get into the media side of the sport, including why the US has had such a big head start, what Australia still lacks, how race coverage and livestreams can shape the growth of the scene, and why telling better stories matters if the sport wants to keep moving forward. Along the way, Finn shares plenty on podcasting, building Singletrack, staying curious as a host, and where he thinks trail running is all heading next.

***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 this episode Jess and Sim are joined by Tasmanian Meg Sinclair to hear a recap of her course record run at KMR 25km. Get to know Meg, including her upbringing in SA and stint in the VFLW before moving to Tasmania and finding trail running. With few races under her belt Meg has already proved her strength with wins at KMR and Triple Tops as well as a 5th place last year in UTA100 her 100km debut. Meg hopes to improve on that this year so get behind her at UTA!

The team then discusses a question about junior pathways into trail running, including outlining TRAQs announcement of a junior category in their upcoming race. Other news includes Hut2Hut announcing that there will be no 100km in 2027 and there will instead be a new brutal 48km with 3000m+/- Bob's Round.

As usual hear some results an catch up with Sim and Jess to finish!

Results:

Delirious West (WA)

Alpine Challenge (VIC)

Run Tarra Bulga (VIC)

Jabulani Challenge (NSW)

Grand Cliff Top Race (NSW)

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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 George Knight after his recent win at Buffalo Stampede 100km which was the Australian Long Trail Championships. Hear about Georges journey into running, his approach to training and racing, how his race went down, and so much more.

It's a lighter week on news and results but the crew also discuss an article this Mile and Stone Article as well as run through the results below.

We hope you enjoy!

• Sydney Trail Half Marathon - Autumn (NSW) Mens Link , Womens link
• Falls Creek Fun Run (VIC)
• Beechworth Bushrangers Easter Fun Run (VIC)

***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!

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This week on Peak Pursuits, Brodie Nankervis and Jess Jason are joined by Sarah Ludowici, fresh off 2nd place and first Aussie at the Buffalo Stampede 100km, which also doubled as the Australian Long Course Trail Champs.

Sarah takes us through her race day, from training in the lead up to how it all played out on course. We chat through the highs, the tough moments, and how she handled the mental side of a 100k effort.

We also dive into UTMB’s updated pregnancy policy. It now extends beyond pregnancy to include IVF, surrogacy and adoption, offering more flexibility for athletes. As the only parent on the show, Sarah shares her thoughts on what this means.

We recap Buffalo Stampede, including the APTRC spots. Ben Leeson and Gerald McPherson secured the men’s tickets, while Alice McGushin and Nicole Paton took the women’s. Jess also gives a quick recap of her 20km race, and we highlight big runs from Jo Hepton, James Barnett and George Knight.

Down in Tas, the Kunanyi Mountain Run doubled as the Australian Mountain Running Champs and delivered huge performances. Meg set a new course record in the 25km, while Piotr and Sophie both broke records in the 42km. Kaitlin Rennie and Toby Lang won the open titles, with Liana Stubbs and Elijah Gosby taking out the U20s.

We also cover results from Xterra Asia-Pacific Champs, Perth Trail Summer Series and the Lithgow Ridgy-Didge Trail Festival.

This week’s shoe review is the ASICS Trabuco 14, which Sarah raced in at Buffalo. We chat through how it held up over 100km.

To finish, we look ahead to what’s coming up including Sydney Trail Half Marathon, Falls Creek and Beechworth, and Brodie gives a quick update before heading to the Orienteering Australian Champs.

A big episode with race insights, honest chat and all the latest from the Aussie trail scene.

Buffalo Stampede (VIC)

Kunanyi Mountain Run (TAS)

Xterra Dunsborough (WA)

Perth Trail Summer Series: Stay Puft (WA)

Lithgow Ridgy-Didge Trail Run Festival (NSW)

The Great Volcanic Mountain Challenge (NSW)

***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 or join our Patreon Here

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In this episode brought to you by ASICS, Sim and James sit down with young gun Ben Butler to hear all about his approach to running and why he has chosen to tackled the longer stuff while still so young. We think many people could learn from his calm, mature mentality and approach to training and hope it takes him far!

Then we have a preview of this weekends Kunanyi Mountain Run, focussing on the Australina Mountain Running Champs, before the rest of the weeks results and a listener question about preparing drop bags/crew for longer races.

We hope you enjoy!

To join our Patreon head HERE

1. Noosa Ultra Trail (QLD)
2. Run The Rock (VIC)
3. Sydney Trail Half Marathon - Night Edition (NSW)
4. Sydney Trail Summer Series 3: Manly Dam (NSW)
5. Washpool World Heritage Trail Race (NSW)
6. Tamworth Trailblazer (NSW)
7. Conquer the Summit (SA)

***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!

Follow James: Instagram | Strava | Website

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Follow Ben: Instagram | Strava

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In this Buffalo Stampede Festival 2026 preview episode, James and Brodie break down one of the deepest fields we’ve seen for an Australian trail running weekend this year.

They preview the 100k, 42k and 20k races, unpack the course changes, discuss the key contenders, and give their podium predictions across all three distances. From national championship implications in the 100k to stacked and highly competitive fields in the 42k and 20k, there is plenty to get excited about heading into race weekend.

If you enjoy these preview shows and want access to early releases of them and where all the post-episode banter goes down, join the Patreon and support the podcast.

And once you’ve listened, send us your own top three picks for the 100k, 42k and 20k over on Instagram. We’d love to see who you’ve got.

***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 James: Instagram | Strava | Website

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In this episode Brodie and Jess get the pleasure of getting to know Andrea Kolbeinsdóttir, a world class trail runner from Iceland and the recent winner of the GTNS Donna Double. Hear about Andreas running journey and some of her incredible results, and make sure you get behind her as we hope to see more of her in Aus!

Then the team cover news from Ultra Trail Snowdonia, Results, and a listener question about how focussing on historic times may limit our potential.

We hope you enjoy!

• Razorback Run (VIC)
• Six Foot Track Marathon (NSW)
• Trail Run Australia: Tathra (NSW)
• ATR Summer Series 5: Port Elliot Surf Run (SA)
• SEQ Trail Series Round 8: Daisy Hill (QLD)

***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!

Follow Andrea: Instagram | Strava

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You hear Vlad Ixel every week on Peak Pursuits, but this episode is the deeper story behind the mic.

Vlad takes us back to the early days: the lifestyle he was living, the moment he decided to make a clean break, and how signing up for a marathon became the switch that changed everything. We get into the family thread too: his dad’s ultra background in the Soviet Union, and why that planted the seed for Vlad to chase the marathon and bigger challenges later on.

From there, Vlad explains what hooked him: the simple power of finishing something, and how that turned into an obsession that’s now led to hundreds of races. Then we go behind Bix Nutrition. We also touch on his North Face sponsorship chapter: how it started, how it ended, and what he learned from that period.

If you’ve ever wondered what shaped Vlad into the runner, coach, and founder he is now, this is the episode.

And if it hits, share it with a mate, especially someone who’s in that “new chapter” phase and needs a nudge to back themselves.

Check out Bix

***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 James: Instagram | Strava | Website

Follow Vlad: Instagram | Strava

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R