515 : The Ultra Podcast

515: The Ultra Podcast invites you inside the world of the 515km Ultraman distance. Hosted by Larry Ryan, we go beyond the race results to explore the lives of the remarkable athletes who make up the global Ultra family.

Whether you are an Ironman with aspirations for the 515km distance, a seasoned veteran of Ultratriathlon, or simply looking for inspiring stories to fill your training hours, this show is for you. Join us for deep-dive conversations, epic stories, and practical takeaways for your own bucket list.

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com

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Guest

Mark Thomson

Mark Thomson is a teacher, trail running event director, and endurance athlete from the Coromandel, New Zealand. In 2026, he claimed victory at Ultraman Australia after three demanding days of racing across a 10km ocean swim, 421km bike ride, and 84km double marathon run.

Known for his humility, and strong connection to whānau and community, Mark balances elite endurance sport with life in a small rural school classroom, where he teaches Year 3 and 4 students. Away from racing, he is passionate about creating opportunities for others through grassroots endurance events and community initiatives.

Mark’s approach to Ultraman is built on resilience, relationships, and the belief that no endurance journey is ever truly completed alone.

Guest appearance on:

S8E10 -- 2026 UM Australia Champions | Mark Thomson + Nat Dodd