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!

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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)

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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!

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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!

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Episode 100 of Peak Pursuits!

Today, James, Jess, Brodie, Simone and Vlad come together for a special milestone episode to reflect on how the podcast started, the moments that have stood out across the first 100 episodes, and what it has meant to help grow and spotlight trail running in Australia. From behind-the-scenes stories and early doubts to favourite interviews, community support and plenty of laughs, it’s a fun look back at the journey so far.

The team also dive into a big weekend at Warburton Trail Fest, with Simone sharing the full story behind her emotional return to Donna, why the race carried so much meaning, and the huge life change that is just around the corner. Jess talks training with new coach Kate Avery and what’s changed in her approach, while Brodie recaps his Donna Double experience after somehow forgetting his shoes on race morning.

There’s also discussion around different coaching styles, how athletes respond to training in different ways, ASICS Trabuco Max 5 review, results from the weekend, including the Donna Double, and a look ahead to races like Six Foot Track and Razorback.

As always, there’s plenty of banter along the way — and a big thank you to everyone who has listened, supported and helped Peak Pursuits reach 100 episodes.

Results:

• Trans Gran Canaria
• Warbutron Trail Run Festival
• Pinnacles Classic

***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 - Join us on Patreon!

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!

Check out the Trabuco Max 5

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AUTRA President Gary Mullins and Vice President Geoff Russell have stepped down — and it’s sparked a lot of questions across the trail community.

In this episode, Gary and Geoff share what led to the decision, the internal challenges they faced, and why athlete advocacy, selection, and governance direction became major pressure points.

We also look ahead to what the AGM means, what they hope happens next, and what needs to change to keep Australian trail running moving forward.

If you care about the future of trail running in Australia, this one’s worth a listen — and if it helps, share it with a mate who’s been following the story.

AUTRA Announcement

***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 Episode 99 of Peak Pursuits, James, Jess and Brodie all sit down with Australia’s newly crowned short trail national champion, Michael Tosin, after his surprise victory at Snowy Mountains 50k. From a rapid progression to a 2:18 marathon to stepping up and winning on the trails, Michael’s story is one of raw talent, smart training, and huge potential. We unpack his unconventional race-day nutrition, training approach, and what’s next with Asia Pacific selection on the line.

The team then discuss the recent resignations of the President and Vice President of AUTRA, Gary Mullins and Geoff Russell, before previewing the fields for this weekend's Donna Double at Warburton Trail Fest - with a huge $21,000 prize purse on the line! This week’s listener questions are on topic for Warby Trail Fest with questions about poles on the Donna Double course and what to eat before a race.

As usual results from the past weekend are also outlined and there is plenty of banter along the way - we hope you enjoy!

• Mt Bogong Conquestathon (VIC)
• SEQ Trail Series Round 7: Ewen Maddock
• Whale Rock Trail Run
• Perth Trail Summer Series: Chitty Chitty Run Run
• Belair Marathon

***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!

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Nathan Pearce has moved fast in trail running, but the story starts long before the trails.

In this episode, Nathan takes us back to his junior years on the track and in cross country, and the early signs that he could race hard on unpredictable terrain.

We talk about the rough patch too. The pressure, the injuries, stepping away for a while, and what changed when he came back with a healthier mindset and a clearer relationship with racing.

We also zoom out on what separates domestic racing from World Champs racing, and why Australia needs more consistent head to head competition if we want athletes better prepared for the true international level.

And to finish, Nathan shares what is coming up next, with a stacked block that includes Buffalo, Skyrun, the Rootburn in New Zealand, a World Cup race in China, and UTA 22.

If you are into performance, racing craft, and the real conversations behind results, you will get a lot out of this one.

***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 Episode 98 of Peak Pursuits brought to you by ASICS, Sim and Vlad start out by chatting through Vlad's experience at Tarawera, including what led to his DNF and his lessons for moving forward.

They are then joined by Sarah Ludowici to go through the results of the weekends Australian Short Trail Championships, followed by a discussion on equality and inclusion after event policies rendered Sarah unable to participate in the 30km event she was registered for due to the timing of the race briefing, her need to look after her beautiful 10month old Aurora at that time, and inflexibility on accommodating this need. It sparks a larger discussion around what inclusion and equality looks like, and the effect it can have on groups of people when policies inadvertently disadvantage their ability to compete.

The team then relay some of the results from what was a busy weekend, before previewing next week which is just as busy.

We hope you enjoy!

• Snowy Mountains Trail Run
• Hut 2 Hut
• Run the Lighthouse
• Takayna Trail Ultra
• ATR Summer Series 4: Cleland National Park
• Sydney Trail Summer Series 2: Manly Dam

***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, or email at peakpursuitspodcast@gmail.com. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!

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