In this episode Jess and Brodie are joined by Blake Turner to recap all things UTA, including what went into Blake's 3rd place in the 50k and Jess' 4th place in the 22 plus all the other incredible runs of the weekend!!

The crew also recap all the other local results of the weekend plus the wild times run at Zegama. 

We hope you enjoy!

Join us on Patreon HERE [https://patreon.com/PeakPursuitsPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

Results:

 * UTA (NSW) [https://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/races/ultra-trail-australia-2026]
 * West Macs Monster (NT) [https://my.raceresult.com/397642/results] 
 * Great Ocean Road Running Festival (VIC) [https://tomatotiming.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16&RId=30046] 
 * runher Lake Manchester Trail Run (QLD) [https://results.runher.com.au/2026/]

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

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 Blake: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/blaketurner_bt/] 

Follow Brodie: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brodie_nank/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/5321505]

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

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



Ultra Trail Australia Recap with Blake Turner | Episode 110

In this episode of Peak Pursuits, Sim and James are joined by Nicole Paton to recap her win at Margaret River Ultra and update us on how her season so far has gone. 

The chat then turns to the ITRA and UTMB ranking systems as we still try to figure out exactly how it all pieces together, before recapping the very high highs and very low lows of Cocodona 250. 

Keep listening for some final UTA chat before the weekend including updates of starting lists, hear how James is feeling before he tackles the 22, and some incredible results from Aussies around the globe!

Results:

 * Transvulcania [https://transvulcania.v3.livetrail.net/en/2026/races/ultra?gender=FEMALE&view=withdrawals]
 * Margaret River Ultra Marathon (WA) [https://bluechipresults.com.au/results.aspx?CId=11&RId=1968&EId=1&dt=2]
 * Wandi Cross (VIC) [https://my.raceresult.com/379934/results]
 * Run Narawntapu (TAS) [https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=431428]
 * Springsure Mountain Challenge [https://www.webscorer.com/racealldetails?raceid=180008] (QLD)
 * Sri Chinmoy Canberra Trail Series: Tidbinbilla Thriller (ACT) [https://au.srichinmoyraces.org/canberratrailruns/previous-results/2026]

***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 [https://patreon.com/PeakPursuitsPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

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

Follow Sim: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theflyingbrick_/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18643506]

Follow Nicole: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nicolepaton22/]

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

Margaret River Ultra, Cocodona 250, and Why Are Trail Rankings So Confusing feat Nicole Paton | Episode 109

A race that breaks people — and this year, some new challengers. Lin Chen and Antonina Iushina headline a women's race that is shaping up as a genuine international showdown, with UTA veterans like Steph Austin and Emma Timmis ready to make it a fight. On the men's side, Piotr Babis has Brodie convinced he could win the whole thing. He’s up against Aleksei Beresnev and Aleksei Tolstenko, both having serious 100-mile pedigree. James and Brodie dig into who has the course knowledge, who has the fitness, and who might just be lining up for a ticket to UTMB.

Who are you backing? Let us know in the comments!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicana
License code: MFJHTO0ZMVHA84WI

Ultra Trail Australia 2026 100 Mile Preview

The marquee race. With a field that matches the hype. Guidu Qin and Guomin Deng headline the international men's field fresh off the Hong Kong 100, but Mike Carroll, Matt Crehan, and Michael Dunstan won’t let them have it easy. On the women's side, can the up-and-coming Meg Sinclair and experienced Beth McKenzie take on international stars Katarzyna Dombrowska and Emily Mann? James and Brodie go deep on who can bridge the gap to the internationals, and why this year feels different.

Who are you backing? Let us know in the comments!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicana
License code: MFJHTO0ZMVHA84WI

Ultra Trail Australia 2026 100km Preview

James said it best — he was tingling. The 50K field this year is on another level, stacked on both the men's and women's sides with incredible international runners. Miao Yao. Ruth Croft. Dan Jones. Add most of the best 50km trail athletes in Australia, Demi Caldwell, Kate Avery, Blake Turner, Vlad Ixel (just to name a few), and almost impossible to pick a top three. If there's one race this weekend where the result could genuinely surprise everyone, it's this one. Strap in.

Who are you backing? Let us know in the comments!

Ultra Trail Australia 2026 50km Preview

The rematch is on. Last year's men's race came down to the wire, and the two athletes who made it happen are back. Leo Petterson and Ben Duffus both toe the start line, joined by Nathan Pearce and young guns Patrick Clarke and Elijah Gosby. The women's race is just as compelling, with a three-way showdown between Jess Jason, Bridget Lunn and Katinka Von Elsner-Wellsteed. Throw in Chinese runner Qiong Luo and we have a real race on our hands. James and Brodie break down who's ready, who's a risk, and who could gate-crash the podium on both sides of the race.

Who are you backing? Let us know in the comments!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicana
License code: MFJHTO0ZMVHA84WI

Ultra Trail Australia 2026 22km Preview

This episode of Peak Pursuits starts with an interview with Alice McGushin to get to know Alice and recap the first edition of Diverge SkyRuns that happened over the weekend (Start - 53min). 

Then Sim and Vlad catch up on where their training is at and cover some of the news of the week, including Jim Walmsley returning to WSER and Dragons Back + Northern Traverse being bought by Ultra X. 

Finishing up with some results and some very cool races to look forward to this weekend, we hope you enjoy!

Results:

 * Diverge Sky Runs (TAS) [https://barefootsport.bbtiming.com/event/2208/results?round=6934]
 * Ikara Ultra (SA) [https://my.raceresult.com/393764/]
 * Wilsons Prom Running Festiva [https://www.alpinetiming.com.au/results/r661/]l (VIC)
 * Nail Can Hill Run [https://my.raceresult.com/387245/] (NSW) 
 * Forest Trail Run [https://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/races/forest-trail-run-2026] (NSW)
 * Hamilton Island Hilly Half Marathon (QLD) [https://results.sportseventservices.com.au/results.aspx?CId=16287&RId=6541]
 * Hidden Vale Trail Running Festival [https://www.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=20148&RId=226] (QLD)
 * OMFG Trail Running Festival [https://my.raceresult.com/395853/] (WA)

***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 [https://patreon.com/PeakPursuitsPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

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 Alice: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alicemcgushin/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/13228142]

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

Follow Sim: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theflyingbrick_/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18643506]

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

Diverge SkyRuns Recap with Alice McGushin, Stair Training, Jim Walmsley into WSER | Episode 108

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, sexual assault, self-harm, suicide, psychiatric hospitalisation, trauma, and PTSD. Please take care while listening, and skip this episode if it is not the right time for you.

In this deeply personal episode of Peak Pursuits, James sits down with Sim for an open and honest conversation about the story behind the runner many people know today.

Sim shares the experiences that shaped her life long before trail running, including her battles with anorexia, trauma, self-harm, psychiatric hospitalisation, and the long process of understanding her own mind and body. She also reflects on the power of language, the role of therapy, and the motto that has carried her through so much: doing what you can with where you are currently at.

This is a heavy but powerful conversation about survival, recovery, identity, and slowly finding your way back into life, running, and possibility.

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK 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/]

Follow Simone: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theflyingbrick_/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/18643506]

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

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Check out Bix [https://www.bixvitamins.com/en-au]

Simone Brick | Strength, Survival, and Always Looking Forward

In this episode brought to you by ASICS,  Jess and James sit down with young gun James Barnett to talk through his impressive results so far. Get to know James and how he approaches training and racing, with the conversation covering mindset, using the bike in training, maximising the terrain you have around you, and some race recaps from James' recent results. 

News/topics covered includes the golden tickets handed out at Canyons, the new UTMB index scoring, and  brand sponsorship in Australia. Finishing up with some ripper results from home and overseas, we hope you enjoy!

Results:

 * China WMRA [https://sport.luojiweiye.com/web/h5/new_gerenchengji.html?id=5894]
 * Madeira 56km [https://ts.uma.pt/Checkpoints/157/399/MIUT%20Discover]
 * Mt. Fuji 100 mile [https://runnet.jp/record/race.do?raceId=381818]
 * Canyons 25km [https://utmb.world/utmb-index/races/9087.thecanyonsendurancerunsbyutmb-r-25k.2026]
 * Mt Solitary Ultra (NSW) - Mens [https://tempus.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16516&RId=449&EId=1&dt=0&so=0&st=UeV59cypcaHkgEVI1Af8V6EY0UwM%2bro8BKjncpUXMzE%3d] , Womens [https://tempus.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16516&RId=449&EId=1&dt=0&so=1&st=jXZinHpAGAb1OQ0GIYx6QvB2woPsULeEvM0i6u66zY0%3d]
 * Bottlebutt Bash Trail Run [https://www.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=20224&RId=60&EId=4](NSW)
 * Bright Fun Run Trail Fest [https://www.alpinetiming.com.au/results/r646/](VIC)
 * Brisbane Trail Marathon [https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=429276] (QLD)
 * Sri Chinmoy Canberra Trail Series: Cooleman Clip [https://au.srichinmoyraces.org/node/9297/previous-results/2026] (ACT)

Head to asics.com.au [https://www.asics.com/au/en-au/] to find out more about the Nature Bathing Pack

Join us on Patreon HERE [https://patreon.com/PeakPursuitsPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]

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

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

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

Follow James Barnett: https://www.instagram.com/brodie_nank/Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/james_barnett42/] | https://www.strava.com/athletes/5321505Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/41087989]

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

Maximising the Terrain Around You, Racing Mindset, New UTMB Index feat James Barnett | Episode 107

In this special preview episode, Brodie takes the reins alongside James to break down Diverge Sky Runs, a new Tasmanian event bringing steep, exposed, rocky and largely off-track skyrunning-style terrain to the Australian scene.

The team hear from Lincoln about the 25K and 50K courses, then unpack why this race may reward patience, smooth movement and mental composure as much as pure fitness. They also dive into the key names across both fields, including Trish McKibben, Toby Sparks, Sam Woolford, Piotr Babis, Angus Tolson, Emma Cook-Clark, Simone Brick and Alice McGushin.

A different kind of race, a stacked 50K field, and a proper mountain challenge in Queenstown, Tasmania.

Diverge Sky Runs [https://www.diverge-skyruns.au/]

***Don’t forget, use code PEAK 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/]

Follow Brodie: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brodie_nank/] | Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/5321505] | Website [https://ascendphysiocoaching.carrd.co/]

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

License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

2026 Diverge Sky Runs | Field Previews & Course Breakdown with RD Lincoln Quilliam

Welcome to Peak Pursuits, where we chase dirt-packed trails, soaring ridgelines and the thrill of a finish line like no other. Hosted by trail obsessives and elite runners Simone Brick, Brodie Nankervis, Vlad Ixel and Jess Jason — plus deep-dives with James Sieber — we bring you candid chats with Australia’s top trail runners.

Expect behind-the-scenes stories, honest conversations about training, injuries, mindset and balancing life off-trail; plus the latest on Aussie races, events and endurance culture. Whether you’re lacing up your first pair of trail shoes or chasing a 100 km and beyond, we’ve got something for you.

Tune in to discover unfiltered tales, practical training tips and the kind of inspiration that only comes from pushing your limits. Subscribe now — and bring your trail shoes.

Peak Pursuits

Peak Pursuits's Show

Introducing the Peak Pursuits Podcast—your ultimate companion for trail running stories, insights, and inspiration across Australia!

Peak Pursuits

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