Robin sits down with Holly Wootten, the new course record holder at the Dragon’s Back Race, Britain’s toughest multi-day mountain challenge.

Holly talks us through the realities of the event, from the constantly changing Welsh terrain to the simple but testing challenges of camp life, like trying to dry kit in relentless rain.

Far from being a stroke of luck, her success came from a clear plan, careful recovery, and an attention to detail that helped her stay strong day after day.

We also touch on the importance of support, from her parents’ steady presence to the encouragement of friends on the course and what it really means to take on such a demanding race.

This is a conversation about resilience, preparation, and the determination needed to meet one of the hardest tests in mountain running.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a quick rating or review; it really helps other runners find the show.

💡 For more stories, gear insights, and training tips from the world of ultra and trail running, head over to run-ultra.com.

👉 And if you’ve got questions, feedback, or a race story to share, I’d love to hear from you; send a message to kate@run-ultra.com.

Until next time, keep putting one foot in front of the other and enjoy the adventure. 🏔️👟

We chat to RunUltra's official coaching partners Nick Hancock and Faye Johnson from Maximum Mileage Coaching. With Robin's 24 Hour track race coming up, we dive straight into top tips for his race, and then move on to female and male only groups and forums, men's mental health, and Nick's own challenge coming up next year; a crack at a sub 2:35 marathon followed 12 days later by running the Arc of Attrition 100 miler. We lovely crazy people like this and Faye has recently become Kate's coach as she returns to training after injury.

#ultrarunning

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a quick rating or review; it really helps other runners find the show.

💡 For more stories, gear insights, and training tips from the world of ultra and trail running, head over to run-ultra.com.

👉 And if you’ve got questions, feedback, or a race story to share, I’d love to hear from you; send a message to kate@run-ultra.com.

Until next time, keep putting one foot in front of the other and enjoy the adventure. 🏔️👟

Robin and Kate talk to Neil Thubron, Race Director of Extreme Energy Events. Neil started one of the first multi day events in the UK with the Pilgrim's Challenge, set up to allow entrants of the Marathon des Sables the opportunity to train with their packs over two days. We also learned about Neil's 7P Formula for Success; as always Neil was really interesting to talk to as he kindly took us through each point. He has such a well of experience in the ultra running world, we think you'll learn a lot from listening to him.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a quick rating or review; it really helps other runners find the show.

💡 For more stories, gear insights, and training tips from the world of ultra and trail running, head over to run-ultra.com.

👉 And if you’ve got questions, feedback, or a race story to share, I’d love to hear from you; send a message to kate@run-ultra.com.

Until next time, keep putting one foot in front of the other and enjoy the adventure. 🏔️👟

Kate chats to Ian Beattie and Adrian Stott, two pillars of the UK running community. Ian is Chairman of UK Athletics and Adrian selector and Team Manager for the Scottish and GB teams. They discuss Adrian taking over Race Directorship of the West Highland Way, which they say is the 2nd oldest ultra after Western States. Going since 1985, this iconic Scottish race has maintained its popularity and family community for 40 years and they talk about the changes they've witnessed in the industry over the years as well as the thorny issue of gender equality on the start line.

Entries open for the West Highland Way on 1st November: https://westhighlandwayrace.org/

You can watch Chris Sutherland's beautiful film "The Long Trail North" here: https://youtu.be/R15erI6CZpE?si=QegRgAj8UIytQfML

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a quick rating or review; it really helps other runners find the show.

💡 For more stories, gear insights, and training tips from the world of ultra and trail running, head over to run-ultra.com.

👉 And if you’ve got questions, feedback, or a race story to share, I’d love to hear from you; send a message to kate@run-ultra.com.

Until next time, keep putting one foot in front of the other and enjoy the adventure. 🏔️👟

Alex recently completed an epic challenge - running every mountain (he summited 446 although the official figure seems to be fluid!) in England and Wales and cycling in between them in one continuous, self-propelled journey. His goal was to raise awareness and funds for his charity, Mind Over Mountains. We chatted about this huge challenge, how he prepared for it and dealt with the highs and lows through it, as well as how his charity helps people in need.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a quick rating or review; it really helps other runners find the show.

💡 For more stories, gear insights, and training tips from the world of ultra and trail running, head over to run-ultra.com.

👉 And if you’ve got questions, feedback, or a race story to share, I’d love to hear from you; send a message to kate@run-ultra.com.

Until next time, keep putting one foot in front of the other and enjoy the adventure. 🏔️👟

Robin and Kate chat to Chris, who won the Montane Summer Spine Challenger South. They chat about Chris's training, in particular the modest miles he puts in to achieve such a performance. They chat about the race, his companionable racing with Mark Potts and his future plans; thus far he has won both 100 mile races he has run and he is hoping to run 13 Valleys in September.

Photo credit: Will Roberts/The Spine

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a quick rating or review; it really helps other runners find the show.

💡 For more stories, gear insights, and training tips from the world of ultra and trail running, head over to run-ultra.com.

👉 And if you’ve got questions, feedback, or a race story to share, I’d love to hear from you; send a message to kate@run-ultra.com.

Until next time, keep putting one foot in front of the other and enjoy the adventure. 🏔️👟

We chat to Susie Chan; a true community champion of the ultra running world, and much loved Peloton instructor, who has completed some of the world's toughest running challenges. We talk about some of the races she's completed; The Coastal Challenge and the Jungle Ultra by Beyond the Ultimate, Marathon des Sables which she has attended 4 times, and the upcoming Badwater 135. Grab a cuppa and listen to this humble woman talk about some of the amazing things she's done.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a quick rating or review; it really helps other runners find the show.

💡 For more stories, gear insights, and training tips from the world of ultra and trail running, head over to run-ultra.com.

👉 And if you’ve got questions, feedback, or a race story to share, I’d love to hear from you; send a message to kate@run-ultra.com.

Until next time, keep putting one foot in front of the other and enjoy the adventure. 🏔️👟

Kate and Robin talk to Anna after her spectacular win at the Summer Spine last week and her triumphant return to competitive running after being injured with a fractured foot for so long. We discuss the race but also how she structured her return, using the Wattbike and a bit about her past in other competitive sports and what's next on Anna's agenda.

Photo credit: Will Roberts

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a quick rating or review; it really helps other runners find the show.

💡 For more stories, gear insights, and training tips from the world of ultra and trail running, head over to run-ultra.com.

👉 And if you’ve got questions, feedback, or a race story to share, I’d love to hear from you; send a message to kate@run-ultra.com.

Until next time, keep putting one foot in front of the other and enjoy the adventure. 🏔️👟