Tasmanian trail runner Andrew Gaskell has one of the most remarkable backstories in the sport. In this episode, he shares how football and a bucket-list marathon led him to ultras, why the trails of kunanyi/Mt Wellington feel like home, and his rise onto the Australian World Championships team.

We also revisit his extraordinary 2016 survival ordeal in the jungles of Borneo, the lessons it taught him, and how he continues to thrive on some of the toughest terrain in the country. Tune in to hear the full story.

***Don’t forget, use code PPP at Bix’s website [https://www.bixvitamins.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 [https://www.instagram.com/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 [https://www.instagram.com/coachjamessieber/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/48288519]  | Website [https://www.coachjamessieber.com/]

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

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Andrew Gaskell: WMTRC Pre-Race Interview

Blake Turner joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on his journey from climbing mountains in the Himalayas and stage racing through Patagonia to racing at the very top of the sport. We talk about his transition from adventure-driven runs to performance-focused competition, the injuries and setbacks that nearly derailed his career, and the breakthroughs that came from building a strong support team around him.

Blake shares insights from his Golden Trail Series season, the lessons learned at OCC, and his podium finish at the Asia-Pacific Championships — along with how he’s preparing for the World Championships. It’s a candid look at resilience, consistency, and finding joy in technical racing. Tune in to hear the full story.

***Don’t forget, use code PPP at Bix’s website [https://www.bixvitamins.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 [https://www.instagram.com/peakpursuits.pod/] to share your thoughts, questions, and trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!

Follow Blake Truner: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/blaketurner_bt/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/1858626]

Follow James: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/coachjamessieber/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/48288519]  | Website [https://www.coachjamessieber.com/]

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

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Blake Turner: 2025 WMTRC Pre-Interview

Welcome to Episode 71 of Peak Pursuits, your ultimate podcast for everything trail running in Australia. This episode is hosted by Vlad Ixel and Sim Brick as they battle with mountain internet from Italy and France respectively. Hear how Vlad got 9500m of vert into the week with a race in Italy to cap it off, and get an unfortunate storytime with Sim about her misfortune that has led to her pulling out of CCC.

Then the team discusses the announcement of the WMTRC in 2027 for Cape Town in South Africa before diving into some awesome results at Transcend and overseas!

Results

Transcend Ultra: https://results.trackmelive.com.au/event/transcendultra2025

Tignes Trail: https://altichrono.fr/resultats/2025_tignes_trail/

***Don’t forget, use code PPP 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!

Sim: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theflyingbrick_/?hl=en] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18643506]

Vlad: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vladixel/?hl=en] | Strava    [https://www.strava.com/athletes/3232281?oq=vlad]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Episode 71: Transcend Ultra, Sim Out of CCC, and WMTRC 2027 off to Cape Town!

On this Trail Running Podcast, we sit down with Ben Burgess and Kellie Angel for another catch up on the show.

Kellie reflects on her third place at UTA 100 mile before diving into an incredible two-week experience at the HOKA Pro Trail Camp in Europe. Ben shares his course record run at West Macs Monster and a second place finish at a Sky Race in Andorra.

Together, they take us inside their recent 80km recce of the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships long course, breaking down the terrain, challenges, and mindset required to represent Australia on the world stage.

We cover racing, training, and the unique experience of being part of the global trail community while chasing big goals in Europe.

***Don’t forget, use code PPP at Bix’s website [https://www.bixvitamins.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 [https://www.instagram.com/peakpursuits.pod/] to share your thoughts, questions, and trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!

Follow Kellie: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kelemmo/] | Endurance Edge [https://enduranceedge.com.au/pages/coaching]

Follow Ben: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/_benburgess/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/40552333]

Follow James: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/coachjamessieber/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/48288519]  | Website [https://www.coachjamessieber.com/]

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

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Kellie Angel & Ben Burgess: UTA Podium, West Mac Course Record, and WMTRC Course Previe

On this Trail Running Podcast, we sit down with Hannah McRae — fresh from a year that’s taken her from Buffalo Stampede to Lavaredo and onto the Australian team for the 2025 World Mountain & Trail Running Championships.

We talk about her path from Six Foot Track to UTMB, balancing night shifts as a vet, and chasing big mountain goals.

***Don’t forget, use code PPP at Bix’s website [https://www.bixvitamins.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 [https://www.instagram.com/peakpursuits.pod/] to share your thoughts, questions, and trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!

Follow Hannah McRae: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hannah_mcrae1/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18433426]

Follow James: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/coachjamessieber/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/48288519]  | Website [https://www.coachjamessieber.com/]

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

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Hannah McRae: Chasing Mountains from Tassie to the 2025 World Mountain & Trail Running Championships

This week, Brodie Nankervis and Jess Jason jump behind the mics as both gear up for the short trail race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. We chat through our training weeks, the highs and lows, and how we’re fine-tuning things in the lead-up to race day.

We also share some big news for the region, the Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships are coming in 2026, and we couldn’t be more excited about what this means for the sport here in Australia and beyond.

We dive into a hot topic that’s been making headlines: cutting down body weight for performance. Off the back of the Tour de Femme winner revealing this as her key strategy, we weigh up the pros… and the many cons,  from potential short-term gains to the long-term risks for health and performance.

Plus, we cover race action from the legendary Sierre Zinal and some exciting domestic results from across the country.

🎧 Tune in for training talk, race news, and an honest chat about one of the most controversial race strategies.

***Don’t forget, use code PPP at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***

Results

Sierre Zinal - https://datasport.com/live/ranking/?racenr=27138#2_66B6DA

Canberra Runners Winter Series Stromolo - https://canberrarunner.com.au/

North West Trail Running Series - https://events.barefootsport.co.nz/event/1150/results

Jess: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jessjason/] | Strava   [https://www.strava.com/athletes/54364834]

Brodie: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brodie_nank/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/pros/11802929]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Episode 70: Chasing Seconds or Risking Health? Body Weight Cuts, Sierre Zinal & More

On this episode, we sit down with Tom Dade as he prepares for his third World Mountain & Trail Running Championships.

We cover his standout 100k performance at Buffalo Stampede, the impact of working with a coach over the last year, and his journey from early national selection to chasing big results on the long trail stage in Canfranc.

***Don’t forget, use code PPP at Bix’s website [https://www.bixvitamins.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 [https://www.instagram.com/peakpursuits.pod/] to share your thoughts, questions, and trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!

Follow Tom Dade: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tomdade11/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/62583480]

Follow James: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/coachjamessieber/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/48288519] | Website [https://www.coachjamessieber.com/]

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

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Tom Dade: Speed, Endurance & The Road to the 2025 World Mountain & Trail Running Championships

Welcome to Episode 69 of Peak Pursuits, your ultimate podcast for everything trail running in Australia. This episode is hosted by Vlad Ixel, Sim Brick and Jess Jason and starts with the crew discussing their weeks, including some gear chat (belt vs pack) and navigation chat (watch vs phone). Jess recaps her race at Canberra Trail 100 relay, Sim gives an update on her overseas health mishaps, and Vlad begins his Euro trip in explore mode.

Then there is a big list of results this week - starting with a huge Gold Medal for Patrick Clark at the Youth SkyRunning World Championships! Then hear about some ripper races in QLD, Tassie and SA including the one of a kind Great Pyramid Race.

Results

Border bolt: https://results.sportseventservices.com.au/results.aspx?CId=16287&RId=6473&dt=2&top=3&EId=2

Great pyramid race: https://results.sportseventservices.com.au/results.aspx?CId=16287&RId=6471&EId=1&dt=2&top=5

Rainbow beach running festival: https://results.sportseventservices.com.au/results.aspx?CId=16287&RId=6472&EId=1&dt=2&top=5

Tolosa half: https://www.webscorer.com/racealldetails?raceid=399906&topn=3

TRSA Mount Crawford: https://eventstrategies.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=90&RId=611&EId=6&dt=2

Youth SkyRunning World Champs: https://www.skyrunning.com/2025-youth-skyrunning-world-championships-ranking/

***Don’t forget, use code PPP 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!

Sim: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theflyingbrick_/?hl=en] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18643506]

Jess: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jessjason/] | Strava   [https://www.strava.com/athletes/54364834]

Vlad: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vladixel/?hl=en] | Strava    [https://www.strava.com/athletes/3232281?oq=vlad]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Episode 69: Pack vs Belt, Phone Map vs Watch Map, and an Aussie Gold Medal at Youth SkyRunning World Champs!

Welcome to Episode 68 of Peak Pursuits, your ultimate podcast for everything trail running in Australia. This episode is hosted by Brodie Nankervis, Sim Brick and Jess Jason! We get to hear how Jess is feeling about being named on the World Championships team in the short trail and how her preparations are going, Brodie puts down a great week of training with the most epic sauna imaginable in Poland, and Sim gives an unfortunate run down of how Tatra SkyMarathon was both cancelled and ended with Sim spending the day in hospital in Poland. Never a dull moment!

Results

Sydney Ultra Marathon: https://180cadence.au/pages/sydney-ultra-marathons-2025-results

Claire Valley SA: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=398900

Perth WTS Truth or Consequences: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=399175

Riverina TRS Maher's Hill: https://my.raceresult.com/337082/results

***Don’t forget, use code PPP 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!

Sim: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theflyingbrick_/?hl=en] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18643506]

Jess: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jessjason/] | Strava   [https://www.strava.com/athletes/54364834]

Brodie: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brodie_nank/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/3232281?oq=vlad]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Episode 68: World Champs Training, The Power of Fueling, and Health Curve Balls in Poland. 

Welcome to Episode 67 of Peak Pursuits, your ultimate podcast for everything trail running in Australia. This episode is hosted by Brodie Nankervis and Vlad Ixel, focusing on the big news of the week, the announcement of the Australian team for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. Listen in as Brodie and Vlad give an overview of what they have been up to the last couple of weeks, including Vlad's recent win at the Goldfields Pipeline Marathon 50km and Brodie’s experience at the World Orienteering Championships. We finish the episode with coverage of some domestic trail races, and an aussie in action at the WMRA cup in France.

Results

The Guzzler: https://www.theguzzlerultra.com.au/2025-results/

Goldfields Pipeline marathon: https://my.raceresult.com/341290/

Boyne Valley 50km: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=398211

WMTRC Team Annoucement: https://www.athletics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-World-Mountain-and-Trail-Running-Championships-Team.pdf

***Don’t forget, use code PPP 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!

Vlad: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vladixel/?hl=en] | Strava  [https://www.strava.com/athletes/3232281?oq=vlad]

Brodie: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brodie_nank/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/3232281?oq=vlad]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Episode 67: Australian Team for World Mountain and Trail Running Championships announced!

Welcome to Peak Pursuits, your go-to podcast for all things trail running in Australia. Host Simone Brick is joined by fellow trail enthusiasts Brodie Nankervis, Vlad Ixel, and Jess Jason. Together, we're here to fuel your love for trail running, share insider tips, and update you on the latest events and races. With the help of James Sieber, we will be joined by Australia’s best trail runners, showcasing their journeys and the ups and downs of the sport at the highest level.

Peak Pursuits

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