The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc is a mountain ultramarathon race, first held in 2003, that follows the route of the Tour du Mont Blanc. It has been regarded as the most competitive trail ultramarathon in the world.

What is so captivating about UTMB? Is it the adventure into the unknown, the communal suffering, the quality of the field, the fans, running through three countries around one of the most striking mountain ranges on the planet?  

In this episode, Milly follows the journeys of two of Australia’s best ultrarunners Claire O’Brien Smith and Matt Dunn as they prepare for and race the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. As the race unfolds she tries to answer the question – what is so special about this one race? 

Follow Matt @mattdunn63

Follow Claire @claireobriensmith

Follow Shane @run_robot_run

Follow Corrie @corrie.endurancecoach

Follow Dave @chossranger

Follow Doug @doog_in_chamonix

Buy Doug’s Book on Amazon: The Race That Changed Running: The Inside Story of UTMB

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc is a mountain ultramarathon race, first held in 2003, that follows the route of the Tour du Mont Blanc. It has been regarded as the most competitive trail ultramarathon in the world.
What is so captivating about UTMB? Is it the adventure into the unknown, the communal suffering, the quality of the field, the fans, running through three countries around one of the most striking mountain ranges on the planet?  
In this episode, Milly follows the journeys of two of Australia’s best ultrarunners Claire O’Brien Smith and Matt Dunn as they prepare for and race the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. As the race unfolds she tries to answer the question – what is so special about this one race? 
Follow Matt <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matt_dunn63/">@mattdunn63</a> 
Follow Claire <a href="https://www.instagram.com/claireobriensmith/">@claireobriensmith</a> 
Follow Shane <a href="https://www.instagram.com/run_robot_run/">@run_robot_run</a> 
Follow Corrie <a href="https://www.instagram.com/corrie.endurancecoach/">@corrie.endurancecoach</a> 
Follow Dave <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chossranger/">@chossranger</a> 
Follow Doug <a href="https://www.instagram.com/doog_in_chamonix/">@doog_in_chamonix</a> 
Buy Doug’s Book on Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Race-that-Changed-Running-Inside/dp/3039640143">The Race That Changed Running: The Inside Story of UTMB</a>

Hosted by Aussie adventurer Milly Young, Breaking Trail is a playful exploration of life outside. Join Milly for a yarn with athletes, artists, adventurers and explorers as she explores what draws them to the wild and other big life questions.  

We’ll share stories from climbers, mountaineers, trail runners, high-liners, skiers, bikers, paddlers and dirtbags. We discover motivations, training, expedition details, success and failure, joy and darkness. These stories will sweep you away and inspire you to quit your day job! 

Writer/Host – Milly Young 
Producer – Alison Zhuang 

Join the conversation: 

Instagram @breakingtrail_

Tiktok @breakingtrailau

Website URL: breakingtrail.net

This podcast is a General Experiments production. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and we recognise their continuous connection to Country.  
www.generalexperiments.com.au

Hosted by Aussie adventurer Milly Young, Breaking Trail is a playful exploration of life outside. Join Milly for a yarn with athletes, artists, adventurers and explorers as she explores what draws them to the wild and other big life questions.  
We’ll share stories from climbers, mountaineers, trail runners, high-liners, skiers, bikers, paddlers and dirtbags. We discover motivations, training, expedition details, success and failure, joy and darkness. These stories will sweep you away and inspire you to quit your day job! 
Writer/Host – Milly Young  Producer – Alison Zhuang 
Join the conversation: 
Instagram <a href="https://instagram.com/breakingtrail_?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">@breakingtrail_</a> 
Tiktok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingtrailau?_t=8eXbj6Ill2Y&amp;_r=1">@breakingtrailau</a> 
Website URL: <a href="https://www.breakingtrail.net/">breakingtrail.net</a>
This podcast is a General Experiments production. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and we recognise their continuous connection to Country.    <a href="http://www.generalexperiments.com.au/">www.generalexperiments.com.au</a>

Breaking Trail

Inside UTMB 2023 with Matt Dunn and Claire O’Brien Smith

Dr Kate Lemming, OAM is an expedition cyclist. She cycled more than twice the Earth’s circumference, and completed journeys on all seven continents.  

Kate has many incredible firsts and feats to her name: 

She was the first woman to cycle across Russia unsupported, the first person to cycle an unbroken line from Africa’s most westerly to its most easterly point, the first person to cycle the entire Namibian coastline.She’s cycled around and across Australia and was the first woman to cycle the Canning Stock Route.  

Kate’s latest challenge, Breaking the Cycle South Pole, will result in the first bicycle crossing of the Antarctic continent via the South Pole (2023).  

There’s more to Kate’s story than doing epic bike trips in far flung corners of the globe! Previously a teacher, Kate includes a humanitarian side to all of her expeditions and has established a platform called: Breaking the Cycle Education, which aims to help prepare our future leaders to make informed decisions to create a better world. 

Earlier in the year, Kate was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to adventure sport and just a couple of weeks ago she received the Australian Geographic Society’s Spirit of Adventure award. 

Kate and I talk about growing up in rural WA, her first expedition across Russia, how she comes up with ideas for her expeditions, her humanitarian work, her recent cycle from East to West of Australia, how she funds and pulls these trips together and her advice for those with an adventurous soul.  

Kate is nothing short of incredible. I loved getting to know her. And you will too!

Follow Kate on Instagram @leeming_kate

Check out Kate’s education work on her website breakingthecycle.education

Dr Kate Lemming, OAM is an expedition cyclist. She cycled more than twice the Earth’s circumference, and completed journeys on all seven continents.  
Kate has many incredible firsts and feats to her name: 
She was the first woman to cycle across Russia unsupported, the first person to cycle an unbroken line from Africa’s most westerly to its most easterly point, the first person to cycle the entire Namibian coastline.She’s cycled around and across Australia and was the first woman to cycle the Canning Stock Route.  
Kate’s latest challenge, <a href="https://www.breakingthecycle.education/expeditions/breaking-the-cycle-south-pole/">Breaking the Cycle South Pole</a>, will result in the first bicycle crossing of the Antarctic continent via the South Pole (2023).  
There’s more to Kate’s story than doing epic bike trips in far flung corners of the globe! Previously a teacher, Kate includes a humanitarian side to all of her expeditions and has established a platform called: Breaking the Cycle Education, which aims to help prepare our future leaders to make informed decisions to create a better world. 
Earlier in the year, Kate was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to adventure sport and just a couple of weeks ago she received the Australian Geographic Society’s Spirit of Adventure award. 
Kate and I talk about growing up in rural WA, her first expedition across Russia, how she comes up with ideas for her expeditions, her humanitarian work, her recent cycle from East to West of Australia, how she funds and pulls these trips together and her advice for those with an adventurous soul.  
Kate is nothing short of incredible. I loved getting to know her. And you will too!
Follow Kate on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/leeming_kate">@leeming_kate</a> 
Check out Kate’s education work on her website <a href="https://www.breakingthecycle.education/">breakingthecycle.education</a>

The Spirit of Adventure with expedition cyclist Dr Kate Leeming, OAM

How far would you go to protect something you love? For Dave Lennon, it was a really long way.  

Just months after taking up trail running, Dave dreamed up the idea to run 300kms around takayna/Tarkine to raise awareness and funds to protect the area from mining and logging. What ensued was a beautiful display of the power of community.  

Follow Dave on instagram @davidolennon

Follow takayna300 on instagram @takayna300

Follow The Bob Brown Foundation on instagram @bobbrownfoundation

How far would you go to protect something you love? For Dave Lennon, it was a really long way.  
Just months after taking up trail running, Dave dreamed up the idea to run 300kms around takayna/Tarkine to raise awareness and funds to protect the area from mining and logging. What ensued was a beautiful display of the power of community.  
Follow Dave on instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/davidolennon/">@davidolennon</a> 
Follow takayna300 on instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/takayna300/">@takayna300</a> 
Follow The Bob Brown Foundation on instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bobbrownfoundation/">@bobbrownfoundation</a>

takayna 300: Dave Lennon

During the height of the COVID pandemic, Mike Zippel bought a sea kayak to escape the Victorian 5km radius restrictrions. 9 months and one Beau Miles documentary later, Mike and a band of merry men, the Strait Yakers, launched their boats at Tidal River and headed for Tassie.  

Endless paddling, island camping, spear fishing, bocce playing,14 days stranded and one hairy shark encounter - this is a story of having a crack, even when others tell you you can’t.



Mike Zippel on instagram @mzippa 

Strait Yakers on instagram @straityakers 

During the height of the COVID pandemic, Mike Zippel bought a sea kayak to escape the Victorian 5km radius restrictrions. 9 months and one Beau Miles documentary later, Mike and a band of merry men, the Strait Yakers, launched their boats at Tidal River and headed for Tassie.  
Endless paddling, island camping, spear fishing, bocce playing,14 days stranded and one hairy shark encounter - this is a story of having a crack, even when others tell you you can’t.
 
Mike Zippel on instagram @mzippa 
Strait Yakers on instagram @straityakers

Inside UTMB 2023 with Matt Dunn and Claire O’Brien Smith

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