After 1,924 kilometers, riders finally reached the finish line in Karakol. Some had been there for days, others arrived just in time for the cut-off. The end of the race can be disorienting—time on the trail stretches and bends, days blur into nights, and by the time they reach the finish line, their ride can already feel like a different lifetime.In our final episode we hear from some of our riders, along with Race Director Nelson Trees, about their experience, knowing full well it will take plenty of time to soak in and more stories to emerge. Riders featured in this episode:Karen Wycurz — Cap 106Tobias Callister — Cap 196Cat Magill — Cap 33Niel Copeland — Cap 142 Ethan Washam — Cap 64Dan Bridle — Cap 44Helene Fromentry and Stefan Haehnel — Caps 312A&BNelson Trees, Race DirectorHendra Wijaya — Cap 83Visit our website to stay up to date on future Mountain RacesProduction and hosting by Mel WebbSound design by Ben CrannellMusic by BatyrkanCover image by Stephen SheleskyThanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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36:44
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36:44
SRMR 2025 Day 14: One Last Pass
As the Silk Road Mountain Race winds toward its conclusion, the final loop around Karakol brings riders close to the finish only to send them back out again along the Kazakh border. The route follows the Karkara River, climbs over a nameless pass, and then takes on Chon Ashuu, one last high mountain pass at over 3,800 meters. From there, riders still face 100 kilometers before they can finally roll into Karakol.In this episode, we hear from riders making their way through these final days — moments of exhaustion and doubt, but also joy, beauty, and the small encounters that become unforgettable along the way. Riders featured in this episode: Harry Fletcher — Cap 82Niel Copeland — Cap 142Ethan Washam — Cap 64Eric House — Cap 62Annie Dunlap — Cap 16Melina Boening — Cap 133Role Strauss — Cap 169Shekoo Raja — Cap 176Nol Van Loon — Cap 146Click here to Dotwatch the raceFollow us on Instagram for daily visual updatesProduction and hosting by Mel WebbSound design by Ben CrannellMusic by BatyrkanCover image by Lloyd WrightThanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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28:26
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28:26
SRMR 2025 Day 13: Meaghan Hackinen, Women's Winner of Silk Road Mountain Race
In this episode of the Mountain Races Podcast, we sit down at the finish line with Meaghan Hackinen women’s winner of the 2025 Silk Road Mountain Race and 10th overall. She completed the 1,924km route in 9 days, 4 hours, and 6 minutes, capping off a season where she became the first woman to finish all three Mountain Races in a single year.A Canadian ultra-distance cyclist and writer, Meaghan’s path to this milestone is anything but conventional — from roller derby and long-distance touring to record-setting rides across North America. Along the way she has collected FKTs, a women’s win at the 2024 Tour Divide, and podiums across Atlas, Hellenic, and now Silk Road.Marking her 40th birthday in style, Meaghan reflects on her ride at the Silk Road Mountain Race and her year at the Mountain Races. Click here to Dotwatch the raceFollow us on Instagram for daily visual updatesProduction and hosting by Mel WebbSound design by Ben CrannellMusic by BatyrkanCover image by Stephen SheleskyThanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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52:27
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52:27
SRMR 2025 Day 12: With Bated Breath
Now reporting on the 12th day of racing, the finish line is becoming busier with each passing day. Riders arrive from what we hope has been the adventure of a lifetime through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. On the final loop, riders skirt around Karakol, passing just by the finish before being sent once more into the wilds. The route follows the Karkara river along the Kazakh border and out into the striking Eshkilitash valley before returning at last to Karakol via Chon pass (3860m).It’s a huge mountain to climb, though the gradient is kind, and if they glance back over their shoulders, they’ll see a wall of jagged, snow-capped peaks etched against the sky. It’s here that we meet many of our riders, cresting the final pass before the descent toward Karakol.We also hear from our women's podium of Leanne Bentley, Sami Sauri and Meaghan Hackinen. Riders featured in this episode: Jono Elliott — Cap 99Ciaran Lundy — Cap 305ACarlotta Schumacher — Cap 31Felipe Duque — Cap 70Stephen Hurdley — Cap 183Niels Ihrman — Cap 143Leanne Bentley — Cap 116Sami Sauri — Cap 174Meaghan Hackinen — Cap 132Click here to Dotwatch the raceFollow us on Instagram for daily visual updatesProduction and hosting by Mel WebbSound design by Ben CrannellMusic by BatyrkanCover image by Stephen SheleskyThanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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30:43
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30:43
SRMR 2025 Day 11: Lost In Time
On Day 11 of the Silk Road Mountain Race, we meet riders again as they reach Checkpoint 3 on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. After more than 1,400 kilometers, they’ve endured a lot, and may be tempted by the allure of the checkpoint. For some, the checkpoint becomes a vortex, holding them longer than planned. For others, it’s a fleeting stop before setting out again into the mountains.Beyond CP3, the road climbs once more into Tranquility Valley before sending riders over Juku Pass and into the final loop around Karakol along the Kazakh border. Riders featured in this episode: Sandor Boros — Cap 175Britt Shalagan — Cap 128Alden Roth — Cap 5Roz Osborne — Cap 171Melina Boning — Cap 133Tony Ramenda — Cap 199William & Marius — Caps 317A&BCat Magill — Cap 33Dominik Hini — Cap 59Jongha Pak — Cap 100Teddie Vidolova — Cap 188Shekhoo Raja — Cap 176Armin Brunner — Cap 19Rodrigo Carazo — Cap 167David Hills — Cap 50Annie Webster — Cap 17Carlotta Schumacher — Cap 31Click here to Dotwatch the raceFollow us on Instagram for daily visual updatesProduction and hosting by Mel WebbSound design by Ben CrannellMusic by BatyrkanCover image by Lloyd WrightThanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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