August came in hot and with it, the buzz around Idaho’s highest trail race—Stand Hope Ultra Challenge, a quad‑crushing, soul‑stretching test woven through the wild Pioneer Mountains. Every summer, this rugged corner of Idaho transforms from quiet high desert to a gathering place for runners chasing altitude, grit, and something deeper than a finish line.

Which means it’s time for another episode of the TURD Podcast (Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast).

🎙️ Season 2, Episode 8

This month, host Shalini Bhajjan, Founder and Race Director of Terrain Trail Runners–STL, sits down with Mary Martin, the force behind Standhope. A former educator turned software engineer and race director, Mary is reshaping what ultrarunning can look like for women—especially moms—while stewarding a race defined by steep climbs, grassroots charm, and fierce community.

We dig into her journey, the 23,000‑foot beast she directs, and her mission to build a sport where motherhood and mountain running can coexist without compromise.

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 episode of the TURD Podcast (Trail Ultrarunning Race Directors Podcast).

🎙️ Season 2, Episode 7

This month, host Shalini Bhajjan, Founder and Race Director of Terrain Trail Runners–STL, sits down with Matias Saari, the man at the helm of Mount Marathon. A former elite mountain runner turned race director, Matias carries the weight of a century‑old legacy—guiding a race that has shaped Alaskan identity and tested generations of athletes.

We dive into his journey from journalism to race leadership, his stewardship of both Mount Marathon and the Equinox Marathon, and what it means to protect a race that’s as wild, unpredictable, and fiercely beloved as the mountains themselves.

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 the sport: Craig Thornley, Race Director of the legendary Western States 100.

In this episode, we explore Craig’s path into trail and ultrarunning, his evolution as a race director, and what it means to help steward one of the most prestigious 100‑mile events in the world. We dive into his race‑directing career—from Waldo 100K to becoming the front man guiding Western States—and discuss his legacy, his ongoing trail‑work efforts, and the groundwork he has laid to support the sport and its community for years to come.

A thoughtful, insightful conversation with a driving force behind some of the sport’s most iconic events — and an ideal companion as June’s peak racing season kicks into gear.