To this day, Pat remains in the top 10 fastest marathon runners Australia has ever produced. His 2:09 in Beppu (1995) is a testament to the single minded focus of an elite athlete on a mission. 

Pat represented Australia a staggering 18 times throughout his career and competed in 3 Commonwealth Games during the 90's. He's a 4 time winner of the Gold Coast Marathon and held the Australian All-Comers record for the half marathon (61:11) for 31 years. 

He was recently bestowed the honour of “Medal of the order of Australia” (OAM) for services to community health and athletics.

Pat is a laid-back bloke to chat with yet fiercely passionate about his sport and fitness in general. His depth of knowledge is immense yet his coaching philosophy is to keeps things simple. We have a lot to learn from Pat Carroll.

We also get to hear about a fantastic challenge set out by 'friends of the show' at Bloody Mission. The Vertical 5km Challenge is set to raise valuable funds for the Leukemia Foundation who are aiming to stamp out blood cancer.

To get involved jump on Vertical 5km Challenge | Bloody Mission | Leukaemia Foundation

Enjoy!

Special thanks to our partners GU Energy, Fractel and Runnulla.

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This week Haddy catches up with Matt Crehan, the Captain of the Aussie Trail and Ultra Running Team, on his his return from the World Champs in Spain. This was Matt's 4th time as an Australian representative and he gives us a great view on the team dynamic and what it means to wear the green and gold.

We discuss what it's like lining up at the most competitive trail race in the world and how intimidating the mighty Pyranees are to run across!

Matt has won almost everything there is to win back here in Australia and we get some great insight from the front of the pack. His race results page is something to behold! We also dive into Matt's global exploits from Laverado and UTMB all the way to running a 4 day ultra around Mt Everest!

Matt is a truly humble champion and it was an absolute pleasure to share his story.

Enjoy!

Special thanks to our partners GU Energy, Fractel and Runnulla.

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Gaby Villa is a sports nutritionist, dietitian and founder of IntensEATfit. She specialises in optimising performance for triathletes and ultra-runners by making food their best ally in sport and life. Over the past decade, Gaby has supported hundreds of athletes, including previous guests Trish McKibbin (Ep137) and backyard ultra world record holder Phil Gore (Ep106) , to overcome lack of energy and gut upset so they can fuel their bodies with purpose, train with confidence and race to their full potential. 

This week we break down the absolute essentials of training and race nutrition and give you all the latest info and research to dominate your next running goal.

We discuss the different challenges that racing provides, including heat, altitude, cold and distances from 5km to 500km. Gaby provides strategies to optimise performance across the span of conditions.

Gaby breaks down the science on fat-optimisation versus ultra high carb intake as well as dispelling the myth of the perfect 'race-weight'. We also dive into caffeine tablets, pickle juice, beetroot juice, collagen and creatine.

If you want to explore Gaby's incredible nutrition brain further please jump on to her Free Endurance Nutrition Audit @ https://intenseatfit.scoreapp.com/

Get out the pen and paper for this one.

Haddy also reviews the Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL with Sean down at Runnulla

Enjoy!

Special thanks to our partners GU Energy, Fractel and Runnulla.

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790kms straight. Running for 6 days. 118 laps of the Backyard Ultra (6.7km) circuit.

Anyway way you look at it, the numbers are earth shattering. 

This week I got the chance to sit down with the great Sam Harvey.

Sam has been described as an ultra running savage but I actually found him to be a scholar and above all else, a professional. The insight I got into draining every last ounce of your mortal potential was outstanding. 

We get some very intimate details of Sam's physical exploits at Dead Cow Gully and the mental game required to be top of the ultra running mountain.

Sam's singular focus to be the best in the World is so inspiring and his approach is so well considered that you are sure to upskill your running game by just listening in!

Enjoy!

Special thanks to our partners GU Energy, Fractel and Runnulla.

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This week Haddy chats with 4 time Australian representative Trish McKibbin as she prepares to take on the World later this month in the Pyranees. Trish details her lead up to racing the Short Trail (45km, 3500m+ vert) at the World Trail and Mountain Running Championships. She breaks down challenges around travel, altitude, crazy technical terrain and a seriously stacked field.

Trish has had some incredible results across the last few years with wins at Ultratrail Australia, Ultratrail Kosciuszko, Mt Stromlo and Kunyanyi.

We dive into Trish's difficulties with stomach problems and fuelling and how she's overcome them as well as the challenges around training load when family, work and running are competing with each other.

Trish is a wonderfully knowledgable and determined athlete. Combine that with her role as a physiotherapist and there's a tonne to learn from this episode.

Enjoy!

Special thanks to our partners GU Energy, Fractel and Runnulla.

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Dave started his running journey as a child, competing in Little Athletics and then progressing as an adult to be a national representative in track, road and cross country running. Over a ten-year career he became a national title winner and achieve multiple podiums in both athletics and cross country championships.

Since turning his hand to the dirt, Dave has had wins in most of the major Australian trail races and podiumed internationally at several of the iconic mountain races, in distances from as short as 5km to multi-day events.

In his impossibly cool role as an ambassador for The North Face, Dave has found himself in some of the wildest and remote destinations on the planet and his passion for conservation and looking after the disadvantaged shines through strongly.

We chat about corporatisation and it's affect on our favourite races, the future of trail running globally and what race directors need to look for to maintain our wild places and the trails we love.

This is a frank and open discussion about the state of play in our chosen sport. Dave has a unique perpective being so firmly entrenched in all facets of running and his willingness to share his knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Enjoy!

Special thanks to our partners Fractel and Runnulla.

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This week we're excited to present an inspiring conversation with none other than Chris “Rab” Wardlaw—Australia’s renowned two-time Olympian and coach extraordinaire. For decades, Wardlaw has shaped the landscape of distance running in Australia, steering legends like Steve Moneghetti, Kerryn McCann, and Craig Mottram to greatness. This episode promises a rare deep dive into the mind of a true distance-running guru.

Wardlaw played a pivotal role during one of the most turbulent moments in Olympic history—the 1980 Moscow Games. He emerged as a vocal advocate for athlete rights and found himself in the trenches—arguing in the media, lobbying Parliament, and standing alongside figures like Ron Clarke to keep the Olympic flame alive for his fellow athletes. His efforts contributed to the Australian Olympic Federation's narrow vote to attend the Games, despite mounting pressure from then-Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser’s government to boycott. This episode lays bare the intersection of sport and principle—and the weight that one voice can carry under pressure.

His participation, alongside 120 other determined Australians, came at a steep personal cost: many athletes faced public scorn, and were even labeled “traitors” upon their return home. It would take 45 years before the Australian Parliament formally recognised these athletes in July 2025—offering long-overdue validation and reconciliation.

Don’t miss this extraordinary episode where a distance-running icon shares his journey—not just of physical endurance, but of moral fortitude. Episode 135 isn't just a race through miles—it's a race through history. Lace up, press play, and be inspired.

Special thanks to our partners Fractel and Runnulla.

Interview with Chris Wardlaw begins at 27mins

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Steph's story is one of bravery and overcoming the challenges life throws at us.

We chat with Steph following a successful campaign running the Stockholm and Gold Coast marathons. Steph began her running journey in the midst of her recovery from stage 2 breast cancer, which came as a shock diagnosis in December 2023. After a successful lumpectomy, radiotherapy and ongoing hormone treatment, she was declared 'cancer-free' and began the process of reclaiming her life. 

We discuss the process of recovery, re-building and ultimately reaching the physical and metaphorical finish line.

Steph is truly an inspiration and the positive vibes flow strongly from her. Along the way she topped the charts as Australian Cancer Research Foundation's (ACRF) top fundraiser and we chat about this amazing charity and it's impact across all cancer research.

Goodesy also pops into the chair to discuss drugs in sport and a wrap up of the Diamond League, Sutho 2 Surf and the Elephant Trail Ultra. 

Enjoy!

Steph Sparks interview at 28mins

To donate to the ACRF please go to

https://melbmara2025.grassrootz.com/acrf/paul-hadfield

Special thanks to our partners Fractel and Runnulla.

Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released.

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When the going gets tough, Benn gets moving! 

We catch up with Benn following his impressive win at Coast 2 Kosci and chart his course to the astonishing MOAB 240 (miles that is!) in Utah later this year.

Benn is one of the most professional and hard working athletes in the Aussie trail running scene. He is also, potentially, one of the most accident prone! Some serious near misses and inspiring stories there.

We cover a massive spectrum of running chat. From race mindset and kicking down to parkrun speed after 235km's, to gold standard nipple protection and waking up covered in police tape.

Priviledged to have the great man Adam 'Goodesy' Goodes along as co-host and it's great to welcome back Fractel and Runnulla as podcast partners.

Enjoy!

Dr Will truly is the Running Science Guru!

He has a PhD in sports science and a host of marathons and ultramarathons under his belt. He also has an incredibly clever way of blending the art of running with solid scientific principles and distilling them down to a form that’s easily understandable to the average runner.

Dr Will is coming off a very impressive PB at Gold Coast marathon (2:35) so we get to break down his race and pick out the key take aways there.

We also dive into the big training and racing topics:

The mythical Zone 2

Methods to improve your aerobic fitness

Pacing and prediction for successful and enjoyable marathon times

Taking the confusion out of the 80/20 rule

The advantages of using power output to gauge your training intensity

So whether you’re just starting out and struggling to find your rhythm, or you’re a seasoned runner chasing a new personal best give Dr Will a listen. He really does make the complex simple and turns the science of endurance into actionable, everyday tips.

You can check some great content from Dr Will at https://www.youtube.com/@drwilloconnor

Enjoy!

P.S. Listen in for a special discount code from the guys at Lonely Mountain Ultra

Thanks to our podcast partners

#runnulla #fractel #guenergy #gymeaalliedhealthcentre #basecampaltitude

Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released.

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From a tiny town of 1200 people in rural Canada Danette rose to be one of the very best distance runners in the American College system. The crowning achievement was taking out the ultra prestigious NCAA 10km track title.

We chat about leaving home at 15 to pursue a running dream and the many challenges of the super competitive and cut-throat college system. 

Soon after college, drained and disillusioned by the grind of professional running, Danette quit the sport cold turkey and entered the 'real world'.

14 years, 2 continents and 3 kids later Danette has re-emerged in Australia as a serious running talent. The trajectory of her second coming is extraordinary and the sky seems to be the limit for Danette!

A great story and certainly an athlete to watch!

We also chat with Sean down at Runnulla about the Mizuno Neo Vista. A super bouncy, super plush, super trainer!

Listen in for a great discount from our mates at the Lonely Mountain Ultra.

Enjoy!

Thanks to our podcast partners

#runnulla #fractel #guenergy #gymeaalliedhealthcentre #basecampaltitude

Please subscribe or follow Running Matters to be notified when each episode is released.

Feel free to use the online discount codes below:

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Fractel Performance Running Caps (15%): runningmatters

Runnulla (10%): Mention Running Matters in store.