Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode of the podcast I speak to James Elson. James is well known for his exploits as a long course ultrarunner who’s completed some of the toughest and most prestigious races around the globe. He’s also the race director and head honcho at Centurion Running, who put on some of the best 50-100 mile ultramarathons in the UK. We talk about his own running career competing at The Spine Race, Tour De Geants and Western States. We also dive into the...
Nov 23, 2023•58 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this special episode of the podcast I get the exclusive first interview with the IRONMAN UTMB group about the recent events with Gary Robbins WAM races and UTMB’s new Whistler Ultra Trail race. I recently posted on social media that I was worried that we weren’t really hearing directly from them about what happened and their own perspective on what went down. I got the chance to virtually sit down with Paul Huddle - Senior director of global trail ru...
Nov 17, 2023•54 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast myself and Ben Wells Runs Fells speak to Kate Allen from the RunUltra website. Last week I wrote an article for the website discussing the current controversy surrounding the UTMB/Iron Man situation in Whistler. We have an unbiased conversation about who could be to blame (if anyone even is) and how the trail running community around the world have reacted to the announcement of their new race in British Columbia. We talk ...
Nov 08, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast i speak to Matt Buck - AKA Running Bucky. Matt has been in the sport of ultra running for many years and has turned his love of trail running, into a profitable business. After a moment of inspiration at Marathon De Sables, he decided that running coaches don’t all have to be idiots. He also realised that there are many people out there who want to start trail running, but don’t know how to get started. Running Adventures ...
Oct 19, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast I speak to the ultra running legend John Kelly - AKA Random Forest Runner. We talk about his background as a data scientist. How it helps with the planning and execution of running a really really long way. We dive into his running history and how he ended up running The Barkley Marathons as his first official ultra! We also answer the question that everyone asked me to put to him, is he coming back to The Spine Race in 20...
Oct 14, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast I speak to Ellis Bland, fresh off his win at Lakes In A Day. This was a deep conversation that took me off guard to begin with. We talked at great lengths about body dysmorphia in men, how we seem to perpetuate the notion that “lighter is faster” and the rise of the hybrid athlete in ultramarathons. We talk about his love of all types of running and his passion for racing in more of a North American style, different to how...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 17 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode of the podcast I speak to Richard Lazenby about his recent win at the 13 Valleys - 7 valleys race. We talk about his background in trail and ultra and how he got to be toeing the line at the inaugural Lake District 100km ultra last weekend. We talk about his approach to training, dealing with niggles in the lead up to this race and how he specifically trained to meet the demands of a tough mountain race. We talk about his creative side a...
Oct 10, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast I speak to Damian Hall. This is Damo’s third time on the podcast and we wasted no time getting into the nitty gritty of a few things that have happened in the last week, in the world of running and ultramarathons. Firstly Damo gives his personal thoughts on the sad news about the famous Sycamore Gap tree being felled overnight by vandals. We then talk about Adidas’s new ‘single use shoe’ and how the Green Runners are obvio...
Sep 29, 2023•46 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ Something a bit different for this episode. I speak to friend of the show Ben Wells about all things fell running. Ben is involved with all things fell running in north Wales. We talk about the history of fell running, the events available to everyone and his favourites. I also fire your questions about fell running at him. So thanks to everyone that sent in their questions for Ben and hopefully we managed to suitably answer some of them to the best of ...
Sep 28, 2023•55 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast I speak to the photographer David Miller. David has become a household name in the trail running media industry, with some now classic shots of the best ultramarathon runners in the world. We talk about his short lived ultra running career before his transformation into one of the most prolific photographers in the sport. We dive into his low-key approach and what really matters when I comes to getting those iconic shots o...
Sep 26, 2023•52 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode I speak to both the male and female winners of the 2023 Montane Dragons Back Race! Hugh Chatfield was 1st male in 47:38 and Robyn Cassidy was 1st female and 3rd overall in 54:25! Robyn and Hugh give me the lowdown on what it takes to win the DBR. We talk about the weather, the route and their individual approaches to training, route recce-ing, nutrition and race plan execution. This was a great chat to two great runners and it’s a must l...
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast I speak with Mike Stocks from Team Hour 7. Mike is a 24 hour specialist who has broken age category world records amongst other great things. He is the man behind Team Hour 7, which is attempting to bring elite style support to top level ultra athletes. On the podcast we talk about how he got into running in his 30’s, his struggles with chronic pain and how he’s managed to keep coming back for more, despite being written o...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode I speak to the super talented Tom Joly. Tom was highest placing Brit at this years UTMB in 16th place. We talk about his performance at the biggest ultra-trail race in the world and how he’s set his sights on becoming the best ultra distance runner he can be. We dive into his year in races so far and how he prepares mentally for running at such a high level. Tom runs for Team Hour 7 and they provide him with top level athlete support to ...
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ At the ripe old age of just 20 years old, Owen has defied the odds to not only finish the Dragons Back, one of the UK’s most infamous multiday events, but to finish it strong in 23rd place. Not only did he do this, but he did it despite only starting to run this year! We talk about his previous races, of which there are only two 50 milers earlier this year and how he prepared by mostly relying on his previous fitness from mountain biking and his 30+ mil...
Sep 14, 2023•50 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast I speak to Charlotte Fisher. Charlotte has had a whirlwind 6 months. Going from high heels to trail shoes in as many months. After running a 50k guided trail run last year on ZERO training and swearing she would never run again, she thought she would have another crack at running ultras. She got herself a coach and entered the Isle of Wight challenge. 106km around the beautiful island just off the Dorset coast. She won tha...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On todays episode I speak to Lake District runner and NorthFace sponsored athlete, Josh Wade. Josh first caught my attention when I saw him win the 2022 Spine Challenger South. This time I speak to him a week removed from his 3rd place podium position at the Eiger Ultratrail in Switzerland. Josh has built up an impressive CV in ultra-trail running over the past 4 or so years that he’s been competing. He has wins and podium places to his name in all of t...
Aug 03, 2023•44 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode we speak to Alan Bateson. Alan is an incredibly interesting guy who has had a colourful past in his lead up to becoming not only a great ultra runner, but also a shining example of overcoming childhood abuse to become an ambassador for various charities that help young people and adults to live their lives after the trauma of living through abuse. We talk about his misspent youth in and out of correctional facilities. His drug and alcoho...
Jul 28, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode I speak to Mel Sykes about her recent win at the Spine Challenger South. Mel shot to media attention when she inadvertently took 3rd place at GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool race, due to cheating. Not her cheating obviously! You may recall the story made the national news when a prominent international ultrarunner decided to take a car journey during the race. The runner then accepted the trophy for 3rd, only to be called out by the tr...
Jul 07, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode the tables are turned on our host Samuel, because he is the one being interviewed by the one and only Ben Wells. We talk about Sams recent battle to finish the Spine Challenger North, the 160 mile race on the imfamous Pennine Way. Part of his prep to take on the full winter Spine race this coming January. We also talk about his running history and how he got started in ultras. A must view/listen if you are a fan of the podcast. URS @ultr...
Jul 02, 2023•1 hr 39 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode of the podcast we talk to Anna Harding, aka Anna The Runner from the Running Channel. We talk about how she got into road and trail running. Her love of all things ultra and the races she has planned for this year. We also talk about the 2023 UTLAC 250/30 that we both went to review and race in. A beautiful new multi distance trail ultra in the mountains around lake Como Italy. We talk about the pros and cons of poles for climbing mounta...
May 20, 2023•50 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On todays podcast we speak to Lauren Gregory. Lauren has just won the Beyond The Ultimate Highland Ultra. A multi-day self supported ultra covering some spectacular scenery way up in the Scottish Islands. We speak about her win there, her success at Marathon De Sables and her recent DNF at The Arc Of Attrition in January. We also talk about horrific blisters and the joys of getting older in our beloved sport of ultra-running! Lauren is a great example o...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast we talk to James Nobles James shot to Ultrarunning fame last year by winning the infamous Dragons Back Race. This year he has just won the Northern Traverse. The 180 mile ultramarathon that follows the wainwright coast to coast route. James tells about his journey into running. His self-coaching approach and his preparation for his recent win. We also talk about the effect that being a new dad has on his training and perfo...
Apr 14, 2023•45 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast we talk to Kelsey Wiberley. Kelsey is a US born ultra runner that now lives in the UK. Last weekend she cruised to a win at the GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool 50 Mile ultra, taking first female and 6th overall! We talk about her running history, her strength training and her openness about her almost lifelong struggle with an eating disorder ED. Kelsey is a great example of how you can overcome your demons and make posi...
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ On this episode of the podcast we speak to Gavin Dale Fresh from his win at the Lakes Traverse 100k at the past weekend, we speak about his training going into the race, his approach to different races and what he has planned for the future. He’s had a great year so far with his first win of the year at The Arc Of Attrition in January and now the Traverse under his belt. Gavin talks about his time living in New Zealand and settling back into life in the...
Apr 06, 2023•39 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode of the podcast....... We speak to Kris King, one of the founders of the Beyond The Ultimate race series and now part owner of The Spine Race. We talk about his route into multiday racing and his love for running ultramarathons around the world. Kris tells us about his approach to risk taking, whether that be in his running or in his need to dive feet first into every challenge and opportunity that comes his way. Some of those opportuniti...
Apr 01, 2023•57 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode we speak to James Gibson about his new record triple winter round. James completed the Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley and the Charlie Ramsay rounds solo unsupported and all in one season, only weeks apart! We talk about his love of fell running, mountaineering and the great outdoors. He tells us about his upcoming adventures and plans for the future. James is a great guy and I'm sure we will be hearing more about him in the coming months and ...
Mar 17, 2023•41 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode we speak to Greg Vollet the mastermind behind the GTWS. We speak about his route into trail running from professional mountain biking and his time developing Salomon's online presence in the global trail running scene. He speaks about the challenges of putting on the greatest traveling trail running spectacle on earth and how its going from strength to strength every year! check it out for yourself below. https://www.goldentrailseries.co...
Mar 16, 2023•53 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode of the podcast I speak to Jon Shield. Jon recently caught my attention for winning and breaking the course record for the Winter Spine Sprint. Knocking over 2 hours off the winter time. We talk about his experiences racing around the world and how he now has his sights set on breaking more course records. Starting with the Spine Challenger South this summer and then lining up with the big guns at next years full Winter Spine Race! Jon is...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode of the podcast we speak to Jack Scott. Jack heroically took second place at this years Winter Spine Race. A race that gained a lot of attention for how close the winner and Jack were as they came in to the finish. Jack made a slight nav error that ultimately cost him a 40 minute time penalty and the win. We speak about how he thought the race went, his kit and his laser focus from his approach to race psychology. As always Jack is a grea...
Feb 03, 2023•53 min
Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️ In this episode of the podcast, we talk to the legend that is Damian Hall, or Ultra Damo as he's sometimes known. We debrief his recent win at the Montane Winter Spine Race this month. We talk about what went right, what went wrong and his battle with the 'bouncing ball of fun' Jack Scott. You might notice that I recorded this podcast in my van on a lunch break. So if you are watching the video version I'm sometimes out of sync with my picture. The audi...
Jan 31, 2023•50 min
