TURD Podcast

The countdown to July has begun. And with it, the anticipation for the 98th running of the Mount Marathon Race—an explosive, lung‑searing, tradition‑soaked battle up and down the cliffs of Seward, Alaska. Every Fourth of July, this tiny coastal town swells from 3,000 locals to nearly 30,000 spectators, all drawn by a race many call the toughest 5K on Earth. Which means it’s time for another episod...

June in the ultrarunning world is all about the “Big Dance” — the Western States 100. With the 53rd annual WS100 about a month away, it’s time for your monthly dose of the TURD Podcast (Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast). 🎙️ Season 2, Episode 6 This month, host Shalini Bhajjan, Founder and Race Director of Terrain Trail Runners–STL, sits down with one of the most iconic race directors in t...

May is coming in hot — which means it’s time for your monthly dose of the TURD Podcast (Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast). 🎙️ Season 2, Episode 5 This month, host Shalini Bhajjan, Founder and Race Director of Terrain Trail Runners–STL, sits down with Noah Dougherty, Director of Events for Aravaipa Running and the Race Director of the Mogollon Monster 100 — a notoriously tough 100‑mile rac...

April is around the bend — which means it’s time for your monthly dose of the TURD Podcast (Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast). 🎙️ Season 2, Episode 4 This month, host Shalini Bhajjan, Founder and Race Director of Terrain Trail Runners–STL, sits down with Jeremy Long, the Founder and Race Director behind Daybreak Racing — an organization that has spent more than a decade showcasing some of...

TURD Podcast – Season 2, Episode 3.0 Queeny Backyard Ultra: Post‑Race Chit Chat Host and Race Director of the Queeny Backyard Ultra, Shalini Bhajjan, sits down with the top male and female performers from the 2026 edition of the race. In this episode, Shalini talks with Jeff Walker, the overall winner of QBU and the 2026 Silver Ticket winner into Big’s Backyard Ultra, and Stephanie Rosebaugh, the...

🎙️ TEASER SCRIPT — TURD Podcast, S2E3 March is just around the corner, but we couldn’t wait — so we’re dropping the next episode of the TURD Podcast early. This month, we’re teaming up with the American Trail Running Association (ATRA). You’ll hear from ATRA Executive Director Nancy Hobbs as she shares how ATRA is supporting and elevating the trail running community nationwide. Then host Shalini B...

TURD Podcast S2: Deep Dive Chit Chat — Queeny Backyard Ultra Silver Ticket Edition Host and Race Director of the Queeny Backyard Ultra, Shalini Bhajjan, brings you a special St. Louis–proud episode dedicated to our very own backyard‑style ultra. Shalini sits down with four voices who know QBU inside and out: Tim Landewe (Course Designer), Jen Ullery, Cody Eubanks, and Stormy Hild — each with their...

February is here — which means it’s time for your monthly dose of the TURD Podcast (Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast). 🎙️ Season 2, Episode 2 Host Shalini Bhajjan (Founder/Race Director, Terrain Trail Runners–STL) sits down with John Storkamp, Founder and Race Director of Rocksteady Running. This episode takes a deep dive into John’s journey into trail and ultrarunning, his evolution as a...

Happy New Year! We’re kicking off Season 2 of the Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast (TURD Podcast) with one of America’s classic ultras. Now in its 44th year, the Ice Age Trail 50 remains one of the oldest continuously running ultramarathons in the country. 🎙️ Season 2, Episode 1 Host Shalini Bhajjan (Founder/Race Director, Terrain Trail Runners–STL) sits down with Jeff Mallach (Race Direc...

It’s December, and that means it’s time for a new episode of the Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast (TURD Podcast)! 🎙️ Season 1, Episode 9 — Season Finale: Race Directors Jam! In this special finale, host Shalini Bhajjan (Founder/Race Director, Terrain Trail Runners-STL) sits down with Katy Farrell (Co-Owner/Co-RD, Rainshadow Running) and Amy Rusiecki (Race Director, Vermont 100 & Beast...

It’s November, and that means it’s time for a new episode of the Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast (TURD Podcast)! In Season 1, Episode 8, host Shalini Bhajjan chats with Keira Henninger—Race Director behind Keira Henninger Races. From her early running days to leading some of Southern California’s oldest ultras and managing 11 annual events, Keira shares her inspiring journey and the powe...

It’s October—and that means it’s TURD time! Welcome to your monthly dose of the Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast (TURD Podcast). In Season 1, Episode 7, your host Shalini Bhajjan sits down with Carrie Baris, Race Director of the Hellbender 100 and President of the Run828 Foundation. Tune in to hear Carrie’s journey—from her roots in running to leading one of the toughest 100-milers in the...

It's September! Here is your monthly dose of the TURD Podcast AKA Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast. TURD Podcast S1E6, your host Shalini Bhajjan, is joined by Kim Levinsky, Founder/Race Director - Sassquad Trail Running Get to know Kim Levinsky, her running background and the how and the why behind the 'sass' in Sassquad Trail Running events!

It's August! Here is your monthly dose of the TURD Podcast AKA Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast. TURD Podcast S1E5, your host Shalini Bhajjan, is joined by Amy Rusiecki, Race Director - Vermont 100 & Beast Coast Trail Running. Get to know Amy Rusiecki, her real-world job, running background, all things Beast Coast Trail Running and how she came to be the RD of Vermont 100!

It's July, and things are heating up! Here is your monthly dose of the TURD Podcast AKA Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast. TURD Podcast S1E4, your host Shalini Bhajjan, is joined by Ian Torrence, the Race Director for Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Stagecoach Line Ultra. lan Torrence has run 234 ultras, and along with race directing, he coaches athletes at Sundog Running. Dive into who lan Torr...

It's officially June and here's your monthly dose of the TURD Podcast AKA Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast! TURD Podcast S1E3, your host ⁠@shalinibhajjan⁠ is joined by ⁠@kathryn_ann_farrell the Co-Owner/Co-Race Director of ⁠ @rainshadowrunning ⁠. ■ Rainshadow Running currently hosts over a dozen trail running events in the Pacific Northwest including the brutiful Teanaway Country 100M . D...

It's been a month since the launch of the TURD Podcast AKA Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast! As promised, here's your monthly dose of the TURD Podcast S1E2. On this episode, @shalinibhajjan is joined by @jess.mullen3 the race director of @cascadecrest100 . ■ Cascade Crest 100 was recently listed in @ultrarunningmag 2025 list of "Old School Ultras" Dive into who Jess Mullen is, her running...

Welcome to Season 1 - Episode 1 of the TURD Podcast AKA Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast! In this episode, Shalini Bhajjan, the founder/race director for Terrain Trail Runners-STL, talks with Dale Garland the race director for one of the most iconic 100Mi races, Hardrock 100. Dive into who is Dale Garland, his running history, background and how he came to be the race director (RD) of Har...

Welcome to Season 1 - Intro Episode of the TURD Podcast AKA Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast! In this episode, Shalini Bhajjan, the founder/race director for Terrain Trail Runners-STL, talks about the why and the what behind the TURD Podcast and a quick snippet into Shalini's world.