Talking Trail - by Summit Gear

Exciting news - Annie Hand joins the Talking Trail team for 2026!In this episode, Rob Phillpott welcomes Annie to the team, and they discuss; a bit of Annie's history , her rapid rise in the trail running ranks, how getting a coach has been transformative to her performances, her plans for 2026 and beyond and we have a lot of laughs along the way.

In this episode, Rob Phillpott sits down with Running Wild NSW's President, Mel McSeveny, to discuss the events they host, Mel's running career and the return of a Blue Mountains classic race - exciting news!Rob also catches up with Andrea Comastri to recap his epic run - the Long Run To Inclusion - from Mt Victoria to Canberra, raising funds and awareness for Hotel Etico's life changing program promoting awareness about disability and employment.To donate to or learn more about Hotel Etico, go to https://hoteletico.gofundraise.com.au/Running Wild NSW events can be found at https://www.runningwildnsw.com/

In this episode, Rob Phillpott catches up with a handful of Six Foot Track Marathon debutantes - Dane Briggs, Luke Newcombe, Geoff Johnston-Hall and Kate Klein - to discuss their experience of race day. Rob also chats with second placegetter Annie Hand about her race and training prior to race day.

At Talking Trail, we always do a Six Foot special, and this year we're treated to the perspectives of five runners taking on the Six Foot Track race for the first time. Rob Phillpott sits down with Ash Bartlett, Dane Briggs, Luke Newcombe, Geoff Johnston-Hall and Kate Klein, to discuss: why they entered, their training build-up, and strategies for race day.

In this first episode for 2026, Rob sits down with Andrea Comastri, CEO of Hotel Etico to discuss the upcoming Long Run To Inclusion.Join the event here: https://hoteletico.com.au/about-us/long-run-to-inclusion-2026/Apologies for the cacophony of white cockatoos who turned up for the interview.

In the final episode of 2025 we recap the Grampians marathon before going deep with Blue Mountain's legend Lou Clifton, who is not slowing down with her amazing year 3 Epic Milers of 2025.

In this episode of Talking Trail, we go deep with UltraTrail Kosciuszko 100 and Hounslow Classic Marathon winner and Blue Mountains trail running coach - Quinton Gil, who shares his philosophies and insight onwhat matters most in the sport of trail running. We also catch up with Lonely Mountain Ultra race director Scott Hazelton following a successful 2025 event.

Episode 14 we do a wrap up of the recent Hounslow Classic and Six Foot Track Marathon Events. We then go though all the details and winning strategies of Mike Carroll and Stephanie Austin, the 2025 Six Foot Track Marathon winners

This is our first live event - run at Tempus Katoomba we are covering the Firies Stair Climb for MND - why we do it and the impact it has on peoples lives. After this we attempt a live cross to Mike Dunstan in Chamonix as he shares his emotions and plans before he sets out on his UTMB Lap

We have a whole lot of new gels and high carb drinks now at Summit Gear so we thought it would be a great idea to give you an overview of them and how they taste. We also have a great chat with Scott Hazelton - The Lonely Mountain Ultra Race director and find out what is new for 2025!

This episode Rob gets more help from his Fellowship of the Ring for his massive upcoming challenge. This fellowship this time includes Phil Smith of Birdwood Podiatry and Jason Wheeler from First Choice Physiotherapy. Plus we discuss the Firies Stair Climb for MND, Running Wild's Saints and Sinners and much more

In Episode 10 We recap the Burralow Bush Run, and Rob gathers his team for His "Fellowship of the Ring" challenge - Stair Climb 24hrs , Six Foot track marathon and the Lonely Mountain Miler - all in 5 weeks. In this episode Rob visits Lewis Squadrito from Lab Fit (https://www.lspt.com.au/) and Katie Rainbird (https://www.instagram.com/nutr.ev.day/) - nutrition expert to get the best advice possible for this epic challenge!

In part 2 of the UTA 2025 series, the Talking Trails team continues our great stories - this time from local legends Tom Payton (first miler) and Emily Brunt (3rd at UTA 100K) on their race experiences.

In this episode the Talking Trail team recap their UTA performances before diving into some great stories from local legends Annie Mackie and Rhett Gibson on their UTA experience for 2025.

This episode the two Rob's and Sara share their top race day tips and tricks to give yourself the best chance for your UTA race. The tips and tricks are suitable from the 22km event, all the way to the miler.

On this special episode we go deep with Andrew Lee - 2 time winner of UTA 100 (The North Face 100). We cover everything from race strategy, nutrition, his passion for running and everything it takes to win an Ultra!

This episode we interview the Buffalo Stampede 100K Podium place getters - Bridie Temple and Michael Dunstan as well as recap Mt Solitary 2025 Ultra and Ridgy Didge.

In episode 4 of Talking Trailwe review the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro trail running shoe and race it against our regular trail shoe - does it make a difference? Is this the best trail shoe ever? We also have a chat with Lyndal Maloney the owner of Serotonin Running tofind out what drives her and how she has been able to motivate so many women into trail running.

This is the last of our Six Foot Track Marathon Series - this week Sara and the the two Robs, discuss the final taper leading into the Six Foot Track Marathon, our Lawson Park run challenge, the latest Blue Mountains trail running news, before Rob sits down with Six Foot Track Marathon living legend Domonic Boidin.

Episode two is the second podcast of our Six Foot Track Marathon Series. In this episode the Two Robs and our guest host Sara Levett discuss our progress towards this years Six Foot Track Marathon, and recent Blue Mountains trail running event results, before Rob Phillpott hosts an interview with a Six Foot Track original - Rod Cutler!

Season 2 kicks off with a series of interviews of trail runners associated with the iconic Six Foot Track Ultra Marathon, the first being Ben Artup - former winner and record holder of the Six foot track marathon where we review his running career and also his more recent adventures such as the FKT of the Wollemi.

The final Episode of Season 1 of Two Robs and a Mic we review the Grampians Peaks Trail Miler and the Ultra Trail Kosciuszko, as well as look towards trail running in the Blue Mountains in 2025.

With the Blue Goat Backyard ultra coming up - Two Robs discuss the differences in approach from a regular ultra marathon and the backyard format with a lot of great tips and tricks if you are wanting to give one a go. We cover mindset, nutrition and overall approach to have a successful backyard ultra. In addition we discuss everything trail running in Blue mountains over the last few weeks

In Episode 6 we chat with Mark Green the Body Mechanic, Mark is an accomplished trail runner, physiotherapist and run coach. We cover a broad range of topics and there is sure to be some insightful information for any aspiring trail runner.

This episode we wrap up the 2024 Lonely Mountain Ultra as well as discuss all things trail running in the Blue Mountains

In episode 004, Two Robs and a Mike dive deep with Scott Hazelton to preview the Lonely Mountains Ultra - set against the stunning backdrop of Mt. Canobolas in Orange. Scott shares insights into the incredible community spirit and passion for trail running that has blossomed in this emerging region and it is this vibrant enthusiasm that underpins the Lonely Mountains Ultra, which has quickly attracted over 1,000 entrants in just its third year!

This episode we do a wrap of the Hounslow Classic and the Pilliaga, we also have a great discussion with Dave Stewart who you may know as your Emcee at all the trail running events, its a great discussion with some real insights.

In this episode Two Robs and a Mike discuss, Running Wild's Glenbrook Marathon, the first Summit Gear Run Club into the Grose valley, the Firies Stair Climb for MND, Altra Experience Wild gear review and much more...

Episode 1 - Two Rob's and a Mike, discuss everything trail running in the Blue Mountains, including the opening of LSPT's - The Lab, The Firies Stair Climb for MND with Gavin Clifton, and the next long run in Blue Mountains around the Gross Valley, Blackheath