In Episode 5, Chris chats to the official marathon pace team ahead of the Bunbury 3 Waters Festival on Sunday 12th April 2026. As part of our discussions with Bunbury Runners Club last year during the planning phase for 2026, we agreed to aid the club in sourcing pacers for the marathon which would be a first for the event.

We have:

- Joel Gray and Chris Shaw steering the coveted 3hr bus,

- the reliable Ashlee 'Ritto' Ritson and Uncle Audwin Lee for 3hr30

- Jake Beacock and Noah Simpson with their casio watches calibrated for the 4hr bus, and

- Vici Richardson and Bryan Bourke singing and yapping for 4hr30 straight.

From Joel's 150g/hr carbs consumption, Ritto's family discount, Audwin's $60 unofficial marathon, Jake's Imodium obsession, Vici's feet post Herdys and Bryan's love of Yokine Reserve, we get to learn more about our marathon pacers and what draws them to the marathon and what makes them weapons in their own right.

This episode is brought to you by the Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival. Famous for its beautiful, flat, and fast course, the Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival offers ocean views up Ocean Drive, dolphin spotting in Koombana Bay, fast racing around Big Swamp and the challenge of the infamous Bunbury lighthouse - or as we like to call it - THE CHECKERED BASTARD.

With personalised drink stations, on-course entertainment, and a finish line vibe that captures everything great about the regional WA running community, the Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival delivers an experience you’ll remember long after your legs stop aching.

So lace up, set your sights south, and make Bunbury your next race destination in April 2026.

Find out more at runbunbury.com.au

Reach out and connect!

Instagram: @warunningpod

Email: warunningpodcast@gmail.com

Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/WARP

Welcome to Episode 4 of The Road to the Checkered Bastard, the WARP training series following the 2026 Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival.

Last episode in our chat with Ian and Megan, you will have heard us reference the second seminar hosted by the Bunbury Runners Club in the lead up to 3 Waters, featuring inspirational runners from within the region talking through their stories and the challenges they have overcome in order to achieve great things in their running endeavours and beyond.

First up we have Dennis Deveraux who shares his story of loss loved ones, a near catastrophic injury, and the determination to take on just about any endurance event that you can imagine in the years that followed. Alice Luscombe returns and shares her recent struggles with a tibial stress fracture, but dives deeper into her background with regional sport, a career ending injury and how she now takes her experience at the highest level and helps the next generation of regional water polo athletes. Young Aiden Behan talks about his recent success at the School Sport National Triathlong Championships, but also delves into the challenges that young endurance athletes face, along with the commitment needed from their families and the community around them. Finally Amy Twist, event MC for Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival tells us how being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as age 3 has not put a limit on her ability to undertake some of the toughest endurance events imaginable, such as the Bali Hope Ultra, all while raising money for charity to support those in greater need. We are proud to bring you these stories that may make you shed a tear, share some joy and ultimately be inspired by the stories you hear today.

This episode is brought to you by the Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival. Famous for its beautiful, flat, and fast course, the Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival offers ocean views up Ocean Drive, dolphin spotting in Koombana Bay, fast racing around Big Swamp and the challenge of the infamous Bunbury lighthouse - or as we like to call it - THE CHECKERED BASTARD.

With personalised drink stations, on-course entertainment, and a finish line vibe that captures everything great about the regional WA running community, the Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival delivers an experience you’ll remember long after your legs stop aching.

So lace up, set your sights south, and make Bunbury your next race destination in April 2026. Find out more and enter now at runbunbury.com.au

Reach out and connect! Instagram: @warunningpod Email: warunningpodcast@gmail.com Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/WARP

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Road to the Checkered Bastard where Chris chats to Ian Gibbs and Megan Gianfrancesco from the Bunbury Runners Club ahead of the 44th edition of the Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival on Sunday 12 April 2026, chatting race logistics, course records and what makes Bunbury a special race on the WA running calendar.

With all distances officially sold out, we dive into why this 44-year-old event is such a massive staple in the WA running calendar. From tackling the infamous lighthouse hill to the incredible local legends toeing the line this year, this is a must-listen before you head down that weekend.

This episode is brought to you by the Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival. Famous for its beautiful, flat, and fast course, the Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival offers ocean views up Ocean Drive, dolphin spotting in Koombana Bay, fast racing around Big Swamp and the challenge of the infamous Bunbury lighthouse - or as we like to call it - THE CHECKERED BASTARD.

With personalised drink stations, on-course entertainment, and a finish line vibe that captures everything great about the regional WA running community, the Bunbury 3 Waters Running Festival delivers an experience you’ll remember long after your legs stop aching.

So lace up, set your sights south, and make Bunbury your next race destination in April 2026. Find out more and enter now at runbunbury.com.au

Reach out and connect! Instagram: @warunningpod Email: warunningpodcast@gmail.com Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/WARP