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 the most beautiful, rugged, and challenging races in the Pacific Northwest.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Jeremy’s journey into trail and ultrarunning, his evolution as a race director, and what it means to steward some of the most beloved events along the Oregon Coast and across the PNW. From the iconic Gorge Waterfalls to the Hood Hundred and the Tillamook Burn, Daybreak Racing now hosts 12 annual events, each one a celebration of wild landscapes and intentional race design.

A thoughtful conversation with one of the region’s leading trail and ultrarunning organizations — and the perfect way to kick-off Spring.

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 overall female champion of QBU.

This special edition takes a deep dive into the 2026 Silver Ticket race—exploring Jeff and Stephanie’s goals, how the race unfolded for each of them, and what it took to keep moving forward one loop at a time. They break down the wild all‑season weather, the three‑hour weather hold, and the strategies, fueling, gear, and mindset that carried them through. They also share what the rest of their 2026 season has in store.

A spirited and insightful conversation for anyone who loves the backyard format—or anyone curious why this race style keeps pulling runners back for more.

🎙️ 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 Bhajjan sits down with Lazarus Lake, the creative force behind some of the most imaginative and community‑driven trail events out there.

From his early days experimenting with grassroot races to the evolution of his signature events, Lazarus opens up about who Gary Cantrell was before taking on the persona of Lazarus Lake — and how he went on to become one of the most influential race directors in the world, curating some of the most challenging endurance events known to the ultrarunning community.

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 own history, perspective, and battle scars from the loops at Queeny.

This special edition takes a deep dive into the 2026 Silver Ticket race, exploring QBU from four different angles and unpacking what makes backyard ultras so uniquely addictive: the community, the push for distance PRs, the mental chess match, the physical unraveling, and the mysterious moment when the “never‑ending race” finally breaks an athlete’s mind or body.

A lively, insightful conversation for anyone who loves the backyard format — or wants to understand why this style of racing has captured so many hearts (and legs).

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 race director, and what it means to steward some of the most beloved events in the Upper Midwest — including the legendary Superior Fall 100, one of the oldest and most scenic point‑to‑point 100‑mile races in the region.

A thoughtful conversation with one of the sport’s most respected RDs — and a perfect way to kick off February.

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!