EP49 - The Fell Runner Who Turned Grief Into Grit | Jacob Tonkin & “George” cover art

EP49 - The Fell Runner Who Turned Grief Into Grit | Jacob Tonkin & “George”

EP49 - The Fell Runner Who Turned Grief Into Grit | Jacob Tonkin & “George”

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Fell runner, orienteer and canicross athlete Jacob “Tonk” Tonkin joins Ben and Gary for an unforgettable conversation about running, resilience, and the power of the bond between a runner and his dog.


Jacob opens up about life on the fells of Keswick, the mental games of fell racing, and taking on epic challenges like the anti-clockwise Bob Graham Round and the Frog Graham — running and swimming across the Lake District.


But his story goes much deeper. Jacob speaks candidly about living with Crohn’s disease, the loss of his beloved dog George, and how the short film “George” (created by James Appleton) captured both their friendship and his fight to keep going.


With honesty, humour and heart, Jacob shares how running, dogs, and the mountains helped him rebuild his life — and why he now runs purely for himself.


🎬 Watch George on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_bVHR1sRyY



In this episode:

  • The mindset and psychology of fell racing
  • The Bob Graham and Frog Graham challenges
  • The making of “George” and its emotional impact
  • Living with Crohn’s disease
  • Running with dogs and the power of canicross
  • Finding purpose after loss and adversity



#TrailRunning #FellRunning #UltraRunning #Canicross #GeorgeFilm #CrohnsAwareness #MentalHealth #RUNcensored #RunningPodcast #LakeDistrict

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The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.


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