Lauren Theodore's running journey changed when she was given a wildcard entry into the 2022 edition of Coast to Kosci.

Having a couple of marathons already under her belt, as well an 80km race at Noosa, and the Larapinta 127km stage race, receiving an entry into the race was a huge leap of faith, but she repaid that faith by showing her trademark grit, finishing inside the top 20 women at Surf Coast Century, before spending 42 and a half hours on her feet for her first finish at Coast to Kosci.

Not bad for someone who just a few years earlier was balancing the start of her running journey while playing Aussie Rules and Netball. Since then she's completed another Coast to Kosci, the 2023 Southern Lakes Ultra, and an eye watering 250 miles at Cocodona (making her the first Aussie to finish that race I'm told!)

Having just completed her 'home town' ultra at the Great Ocean Road a few weeks ago, Lauren is now on track to claim her third finish at Australia's Premier Ultra. That would see her join some rare air, so far only 44 runners have three of more finishes at Coast to Kosci.

You can follow her adventures on instagram at theodorelauren.

This episode marks 60 episodes of the Peak2Soon Podcast, without your support none of this is possible, so thank you, if you love what I do, leave a review, so others like you can find and listen to the amazing humans on this podcast.

Benn Coubrough is an Ultra Runner, Triathlete, Coach at Stroke No Limits, and also the Store Manager orfPure Performance Sports and FootMotion, also recent winner of the 50 kilometre event at the Lonely Mountain Ultra.

He'll be undertaking his first crack at Coast to Kosci in a few weeks as part of the 2024 field. His resume is seriously impressive, and his recent training highlights his preparation for my favourite race, and one of Australia's toughest ultra races.

He gives out a few tips about his preparation for the race, as well as shares his interesting career in sports, which has actually seen him get hit by a car three times.

You can follow Benn at bennycoubs_ultrarunner on Instagram.

Sam Stow has pretty much done it all in a long career winning a number of races along the way, and finding himself at the front in some of Australia and the World's big races.

He's also the founder of Pop! Running and is on a mission to help runners and multi-sport athletes discover the joys of efficient and injury-free running.

As one of Australia's most respected distance athletes, he is also not immune to taking on a challenge, whether that's running and winning the Beerwah Marathon in sandals, or completing the 4x4x48 challenge while carrying a log.

This October he's raising funds for the Top Blokes Foundation with an incredible backyard ultra challenging forming a key part of the fundraising.