Dirt Church Radio Trail Running

Matt Rayment
  • 5.0 (1)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Trail running talk and banter, delving deep to gain insight and inspiration from interesting runners in New Zealand, Australia and the world. Learn more: dirtchurchradio.com

  1. 4D AGO

    The 2026 Ultra Trail Australia Preview- With Ian 'easy' Meyer | Dirt Church Radio 370

    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

    1h 14m

  2. MAY 1

    DCR AidStation 051 | The Rant Bank

    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

    36 min

  3. APR 21

    Matt Bixley Rides Again | Dirt Church Radio 369

    Way back in 2023, when Eugene and Matt first spoke to Matt Bixley (on DCR 228 if you are interested), they were impressed not only by the attention he paid to detail in planning his adventures, the scope of the adventures - 18 Keplers (at the time) , a Barkley Marathons, a million rogaines, and an astounding back story, but the sheer ability of the man to spin a great yarn.   Fast forward a couple of years, and we find out that not much has changed. Settle in for round two with Matt, this time with DCR’s Andrew McDowall. There’s been more Keplers, More Barkley Marathons, and even more adventures with a compass in hand, maybe even a broken rib in there too. I apologize in advance for the test cricket chat. Fun, free-wheeling, and always entertaining, we are stoked to bring you this conversation with the man who literally wrote the crib notes on the Kepler. Dirt Church Radio—Best Enjoyed Running. --- --- ---  Episode Links  Matt Bixley DCR 228 Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter. Matt Bixley’s Kepler Notes Dirt Church Radio on Instagram Dirt Church Radio on Facebook Further Faster New Zealand Enjoy! Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

    1h 22m

  4. APR 17

    Return Of The M(A)C(K) | DCR AIdStation 050

    Goodness me, we got through a bit on the Aidstation this week. From hard choices to boners (Yes, you read correctly). Better mental health and running strategies you can use every day. Paying to pace? yep, we go there too, and yep, Backyards aren't dead. Also, most importantly,  I know, it’s not Mack or Mac, it’s Mc, as in McDowall, but goshdarnit, Andrew is back, and we’re all the better for it. Did we mention boners?  Excellent stuff. 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

    45 min

  5. APR 8

    Annie Hand. Blasting in the Blueys | Dirt Church Radio 367

    Kia ora e te whānau. This week, Ali Pottinger chats with Annie Hand, fresh off her second-place finish at the Six Foot Track Marathon. Hand, a Blue Mountain stalwart, completed the Ultra Trail Australia Miler in 2025 and is off for a lap of Mount Blanc in 2026. Annie and Ali talk about performance, Annie’s abiding love of the Blue Mountains, and the pleasant surprise of ending up on podiums in this excellent conversation you won’t want to miss. Also, don’t miss out on our Greatest Run Ever this week, a brotherly battle at the Delerious West.  Also, we'd like to put The Goat Farm forward for best running club name ever. Dirt Church Radio—Best Enjoyed Running. --- --- ---  Episode Links  Sign up for the DCR AidStation newsletter. Annie Hand Instagram Dirt Church Radio on Instagram Dirt Church Radio on Facebook Further Faster New Zealand Enjoy! Music by Andrew McDowall, Digicake

    1h 1m

  6. APR 3

    The 2026 Tussock Traverse | DCR AidStation 048

    The Tussock Traverse and/or the Ring of Fire is an event that you must do. 100%.  We can’t really jazz it up more than that. If you like a unique mountain-running adventure that is both a grassroots event and offers the most incredible scenery, and world-class trails. After a tough couple of years, 2026 saw the event organisers putting it all on the line again. Ali and Matt run through the weekend and all the experiences therein, including a two-part tale of one of the greatest sporting battles of the last two decades.  excellent stuff. Dirt Church Radio – Best Enjoyed Running. ​ --- --- ---  Episode Links  The Tussock Traverse 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

    56 min

  7. MAR 24

    Paula Griffin- Through The 'Ferns Onto The Trails | Dirt Church Radio 365

    Kia ora e te whānau. Paula Griffin is among the many professional athletes we’ve spoken to over the years who have pivoted from their original sport to trail running. Paula Griffin is the first professional netballer we’ve had on the podcast, so that’s really something. Paula speaks to Ali Pottinger about her life in professional netball (including becoming a Silver Fern), her pivot to MMA (of course), and then, after a circuitous route through motherhood and partnership, onto the trails, where she found her passion for this wonderful sport and inspiration to support other mums who love trail running. This is an incredible conversation between two incredible women that you won't want to miss.  Dirt Church Radio—Best Enjoyed Running. --- --- ---  Episode Links  Paula Griffin Instagram Mums Who Trail Instagram Mums Who Trail Home Muriwai Sea Slugs 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

    1h 2m

  8. MAR 20

    Girls & Boys | DCR AidStation 047

    I don’t know, man. What’s in a name after all? We’re lucky enough that Matt’s youngest daughter isn’t called Skipper or Queenie (both names he went in hard for). Trying to decipher the lore behind a trail name is hard enough, right? This week on the AidStation, Matt and Ali talk about everything. From monetizing gravel  *spoiler alert* Don’t do it! Salomon, we’re looking at you, to the end of the world, headlamps, hot bois, hot girls, trail crushes, and when is it too soon (or too late) to call a course change?? The AidStation podcast. Get in that chair, and let us make you a sandwich. Excellent Stuff. 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

    42 min
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Ratings & Reviews

About

Trail running talk and banter, delving deep to gain insight and inspiration from interesting runners in New Zealand, Australia and the world. Learn more: dirtchurchradio.com

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Rayment
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    378
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dirt Church Radio Trail Running
  • Show Website
    Dirt Church Radio Trail Running

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