Episode 146 - Paul Charteris 2021
Kia Ora Whānau. “For our first episode of Dirt Church Radio we are privileged to sit down with Paul Charteris, the founder of Tarawera Ultramarathon. Paul’s race, which started in 2009 as a small, one man affair, has grown into a massive enterprise, arguably New Zealand’s most popular trail race, and part of the Ultra Trail World Tour. We discuss the 2018 running of the 100 mile endurance run, the changes that Paul and his business partner, Dr Tim Day, introduced to the 2019 race series, and Paul’s transformation from farm boy to bovine geneticist undertaking a PhD in Colorado, then moving to California, where his trail running curiosity was piqued and would lead to him becoming a Western States Endurance Run participant. As well as looking back (with his encyclopedic knowledge of trail running history) Paul looks forward, as he embarks upon a new chapter in his life as he and his partner expect the arrival of their first child ...” That was three years and 145 episodes ago.Things have changed a bit in the intervening years, but having Paul Charteris back on the podcast was even more rewarding, interesting, and engaging than the first time. We speak of life post Tarawera, the transition from trail daddy to regular dad of two children, his work with the Kawerau District Douncil on a new trail network, owning a farm cottage retreat, and his ongoing involvement in the race that took up over a decade of his life. We discuss the worldwide scene post-pandemic, the UltraTrail World Tour, UTMB, IRONMAN, a wonderful GRE and bonus Colin. Enjoy.
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Episode Links
Dirt Church Radio on Instagram
Music: Chances with Wolves
Editing assistance: Kieran Bingham
Sit Back and Enjoy!