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 Director, Ice Age Trail 50) for a relaxed, insightful conversation.

They dig into the race’s rich history, its evolution over four decades, what keeps the Ice Age Trail 50 thriving, its devoted community, and how Jeff continues to influence and support the Midwest trail‑running scene. They also explore Jeff’s personal running journey and how he came to lead one of the most iconic ultras in the country.

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 Coast Trail Running) for an open and honest discussion on some of the most pressing topics in our sport:

• Diversity, inclusion, and non-binary & transgender policies

• Athletes with disabilities

• Rising race registration costs

• Giving back to the community

• Increasing women’s participation

• Race directing as a business

Tune in to hear three unique perspectives from three different regions and three experienced race directors!

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 powerful impact she’s making in the trail running world.

Tune in to discover what makes SoCal trail and ultrarunning so special!

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 Southeast—and learn more about the impactful work she’s doing through Run828 Foundation.

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 Torrence is, his running background, how he came to be the Race Director (RD) for Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Stagecoach Line Ultra!!

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.

Dive into who Katy Farrell is, her running background, and how she came to be the Co-Owner/Co-Race Director (RD) for all things Rainshadow Running!