In this episode of the Happy Trails podcast, host discusses with Sean Kaesler, a prominent race director, about the intricacies of organizing ultra marathons, particularly the Delirious West 200-mile race. They delve into the importance of community and volunteer involvement, personal experiences in ultra running, and the challenges of race directing.

Sean shares insights on balancing family life with his responsibilities in the ultra running community, the evolution of the Ultra Series, and the unique aspects of the Delirious West race, including its course and innovative features. The conversation highlights the camaraderie and connections formed within the ultra running community, culminating in a celebration at the finish line. In this engaging conversation, they discuss the various aspects of ultra running, including the unique Bogan Keg Run, the challenges of 200-mile races, and the rise of young athletes in the sport. They also delve into the community-building aspects of running events and the fundraising success of the 24 Park Runs in 24 Hours initiative, highlighting the importance of camaraderie and fun in the ultra running community.

We hope you enjoy!

Happy Trails

• In this episode of the HappyTrails Podcast, Benny and Mitch touch on training updates before diving into the recent Trail Runner of the Year awards
• The lads recap some of the amazing performances from the TROY winners for both male and female
• The conversation then shifts to plans for 2026 including training and race plans including Six Foot Track, UTA and then begin the conversation around what the big goal will be for Bennys return to the 200+ mile scene.
• Finally capping the episode by the Grumpy Trail Runner and his thoughts on crown hunting clowns.

Enjoy!

A bit of a wrap up episode this week on the Happy Trails podcast.

We have had such a great year recording 25 podcasts, meeting some amazing new people, hearing some great stories and having some great fun at some big events ourselves

Today we discuss some of the personal highlights and performances that have jumped out to us as being amazing.

We look toward 2026 with some vague goals and cant wait to see what the amazing people in this community getup to next year.

Thanks so much for listening and remember...... Its always a happy trail.

In this episode of the Happy Trails podcast, Tim Woods shares his journey from a casual runner to an accomplished ultra marathoner.

He discusses his experiences in various races, including Coast 2 Kosci, Buffalo Stampede, and the challenging Grampians race. Tim emphasizes the importance of mental resilience, nutrition, and balancing family life with his passion for running.

Tim discusses his experiences with endurance racing, focusing on nutrition strategies, the impact of caffeine, pacing consistency, mental strategies for overcoming challenges, and the weather conditions faced during races. He also shares his future goals and upcoming races, emphasizing the importance of training and self-awareness in improving performance.

We chat about the power of discipline and consistency that has got him to the pointy end of some major races and finally what lies ahead for 2026!

Hope you enjoy!

Happy Trails.

In this episode of the Happy Trails Podcast, Liv Compton shares her journey in ultra running, focusing on her experiences at the Coast 2 Kosci race a couple of weeks ago.

Liv discusses growing up in Norway, her background in sports, her training methods, and the importance of community in her running journey.

She reflects on her race strategies, nutrition, and the challenges faced during ultra marathons. Liv emphasizes the significance of personal goals and the camaraderie among runners, making for an engaging and insightful conversation about the world of ultra running. In this engaging conversation, Liv shares her experiences and insights from her recent ultra running race, discussing the challenges of uphill running, the impact of weather conditions, and the mental resilience required to finish strong.

She reflects on the dynamics of competition, the importance of community support, and her future aspirations in racing. Liv also highlights the joy of participating in local races and the evolution of backyard ultra running, emphasizing the significance of recognizing all runners' efforts.

I hope you all enjoy this one!

Livs Insta - (2) Instagram
Happy Trails Insta - (2) Instagram

Happy trails!

In this episode of the Happy Trails Podcast, hosts Ben and Mitch, along with guest Nikita, dive into a comprehensive recap of their adventures at this years running of Coast to Kosci .

They explore the unique perspectives of both runners and crew members, discussing the challenges faced during the race, the importance of mental resilience, and the supportive community that surrounds ultra running.

The conversation highlights standout performances, logistical challenges, and personal reflections on the race experience, emphasizing the journey of ultra running as a shared adventure rather than just a competition.

This is a fun chat where the three of them get the chance to reflect on their experiences during a challenging ultra marathon, discussing the various obstacles they faced, including weather changes, steep climbs, and the camaraderie that developed among the runners.

They share personal anecdotes about their struggles and triumphs, highlighting the emotional and physical aspects of long-distance running. The conversation also touches on future races and the lessons learned from their experiences, emphasizing the importance of preparation and teamwork.

Hope you enjoy!

Happy Trails!

In this conversation, we run through some final thoughts from Moab and some listener questions closing the loop on an amazing result from Benny.

We touch on some results overseas and shout out an amazing result from Holly Ranson at the 24 hour worlds.

Finally we shift focus too the upcoming Coast to Kosci where Mitch is in the final stages of the prep.