I sit down with Doc, the voice behind Hiker Trash Radio—a podcast that’s interviewed over 450 adventurers from thru-hikers to Barkley Marathons legends. We dive deep into Doc’s wild behind-the-scenes experience covering the 2024 Barkley Marathons as a first-time invited media member. From nearly camping in the wrong forest to building trust at the Yellow Gate, he shares how he captured the stories of runners, crews, and chaos at one of the world’s most mysterious races.
Check out the Barkley Marathons Bonus Episodes: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5KrLfLJn9Joy6PwwX3uEFR?si=88778974ca8d44f4
We talk about John Kelly’s fun run finish, the brutal new Ball Bearing Hill, and the unglamorous truth about nap-induced DNFs. Plus, we explore the evolution of Hiker Trash Radio, the art of giving trail names, and why Doc’s doctorate turned into a trail moniker.
Check out Hiker Trash Radio YouTube: @hikertrashradio
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gvi6HyY4wdQ7u8wWdSnkx?si=db514a5572e34e34
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikertrashradio
Whether you love the Appalachian Trail, John Muir Trail, Continental Divide Trail, or just thrive on tales of ultrarunning pain and perseverance, this one’s got something for every dirtbag dreamer.
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Barkley Marathons
02:48 Doc's Journey to Cover the Barkley
06:07 The Anticipation of Race Day
08:49 Interviews and Insights from Runners
11:53 The Race Begins: Expectations vs. Reality
15:01 The Challenges of the Barkley Course
17:58 The Atmosphere During the Race
20:57 Reflections on the Race Experience
24:04 The Aftermath: No Finishers This Year
30:57 The Final Moments of the Race
32:01 Reflections on Race Difficulty
33:30 Media Coverage and Content Creation
36:01 The Evolution of the Podcast
37:48 The Journey into Backpacking
46:00 Trail Names and Their Stories
51:01 The Magic of Thru-Hiking
55:16 Exploring Adventure Stories
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