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Hosted by Dean Horwitz a trail running enthusiast, who started his journey in 2022, Dean has experienced the transformative power of chasing trails firsthand. Fuelled by a passion for trail running and a knack for connecting with fellow trail chasers, Dean created this podcast to merge both interests.
This podcast is all about embracing the adventure, community, and self-discovery that comes with trail running. Join Dean on a journey of exploration and discovery, where you’ll learn about the world of trail running together. No matter if you’re a seasoned trail pro or just lacing up your shoes for the first time, this podcast is for you.
Whether it’s the exhilarating view from a mountain peak or the camaraderie and making new friends with fellow trail runners, Dean is here to guide you through it all.
76 Episodes
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Send us a text 💭 “If you can, you must. If you're physically able, do it.” — William Dyer, Founder of Collagen for Athletes What does it take to turn a painful rugby injury into a business that’s now helping athletes across South Africa and beyond? In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz is joined by William Dyer — trail runner, community leader with the Trail Snakes, and entrepreneur behind Collagen for Athletes. From setbacks to startups, William shares how recovery became his...
Send us a text 💭 “Discipline takes you places where motivation can’t.” — Marissa Groenewald, the Rope Runner What does it take to create an entirely new running discipline — rope running — while balancing motherhood, business, and a mission to fight human trafficking? In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz is joined by Mari...
Send us a text 💭 “I try to put my life into different boxes — work, running, social, family — and give each one the time it deserves. Because if everything overlaps, life just becomes chaos.” — Daniel Claassen What does balance really look like when you’re working full-time, running professionally, and still competing on the world stage? In this episode of Trail Chasers (recorded earlier this year before Daniel achieved his incredible 5th place at UTMB TDS), host Dean Horwitz is joined by Dan...
Send us a text 💭 “As a child, we have these amazing experiences… we don’t have to go too far from that to feel the same magic again.” — Robbie Rorich What does it mean to run for joy, not just results? How do you keep the spark alive when running becomes serious? How can you step onto the trail and find freedom, flow, and adventure in every stride? In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz is joined by Robbie Rorich, a trail runner, movement enthusiast, and adventurer, for a convers...
Send us a text 💭 “Trails connect us to wild spaces, to communities, and to ourselves.” — Blake Dyason What does it really mean to give back to the places we run? To protect the paths that hold our best memories, our hardest moments, and the people we’ve met along the way? In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz is joined by Blake Dyason—a mountain rescuer, conservationist, and founder of Love Our Trails—for a conversation that goes far beyond running. Blake has spent years buildin...
Send us a text 💭 “Fasted training. That’s the one that gets me. If you want to raise my blood pressure, bring up fasted training.” — Mariella Sawyer What if your low energy, cramping, or mental fog on the trails isn’t a fitness issue… but a fuelling one? In this episode of Trail Chasers, we’re joined by Mariella Sawyer—professional triathlete, registered dietitian, and new mom—to break down trail running nutrition into simple, actionable tips that actually work. From early-morning runs and ra...
Send us a text 💭 “Strength training is such a powerful tool to change someone’s life—whether it’s for health or performance.” What if getting better at trail running didn’t mean running more—but building strength where it matters most? In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Dr. Shaundre Jacobs—a sports scientist, strength & conditioning coach, passionate trail runner, and beloved community leader. From beginner-friendly strength tips to common training mistakes and injury myth...
Send us a text 💭 “It’s not flashy. It’s not gonna win you awards. You’re not putting it on Strava. But it impacts your runs tremendously.” What if the most important training you do doesn’t happen on the trails—but in the quiet, consistent work no one sees? In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Hein Viljoen—physiotherapist, movement specialist, and passionate voice for smarter, stronger trail running. From injury prevention and performance prep to myths about core work and the re...
Send us a text 💭 “You can’t always choose your conditions. But you can choose how you show up.” What if running long distances wasn’t just about finishing but facing everything that shows up along the way? The rain. The rocks. The raw emotions that hit harder than the hills. In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Maranda Muller—ultra-endurance athlete, coach at Mindset Movement, and a quiet storm in the Cape Town trail scene. From breaking poles and breaking down to crawling out o...
Send us a text “You don’t need to win it. You just need to learn from it.” What if your first trail race wasn’t just a run—but a rite of passage? A place to learn, get it wrong, laugh at yourself, and fall in love with the trails? In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Owen Middleton—founder of the iconic Trail Series® and the man who introduced thousands to their first-ever trail race. With nearly two decades of experience as a race director and route pioneer, Owen shares why you...
Send us a text "It's a coming together of friends, people who you feel like family." Ever wondered how volunteering, vibes, and views come together to turn Ultra Trail Cape Town and Ultra Trail Drakensberg into unmissable community celebrations? In this bonus episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Sue Ullyett—the event manager behind both UTCT and UTD. Sue shares how a chance coffee chat grew into a decade-strong core team, and how their passion for inclusivity transforms volunteers, sp...
Send us a text 🏃♀️ "Changing or impacting a life is really a long game. It's a commitment to walking alongside people and investing long-term." Have you ever considered the profound impact that trail running can have beyond physical fitness? In this special bonus episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Lindi Meyer—the visionary behind LIV2run, a movement that's redefining lives through the simple act of trail running. Lindi shares how her personal passion for running and people conv...
Send us a text 🍌 "The secret isn't just training and running. It's all about your nutrition. What to eat before, during, and after a run can make or break your running experience." Ever felt completely drained halfway through your run or battled gut issues that ruin your experience? You're not alone! In this episode of Trail Chasers, Jenna Bowes—a trail runner, registered dietitian, and expert in endurance sports nutrition—returns to the show to demystify trail running nutrition for be...
Send us a text 👟 "Running shoes are exactly the same as jeans. Different brands have different shapes." Choosing your first pair of trail shoes can feel like entering a foreign language class—foot shapes, pronation, stacks, drops... where do you even start? In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Jono Rumbelow, run biomechanics specialist and shoe-fitting expert at RUN Specialist Store, to help beginners cut through the noise and find the perfect fit—without the overwhelm. Jo...
Send us a text 🏃♂️ "Forget performance and enjoy it. Run with mates, explore new routes. Don’t look at your watch—spend more time looking up than looking down." Starting trail running can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Erin van Eyssen, seasoned coach and founder of Flat Rock Endurance, to break down the best way to get started—without burnout, stress, or unnecessary complications. Erin shares his journey from disco...
Send us a text 🏃♂️ "I never thought a running group would change my life—but it did." In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Mike Obery to talk about the power of community in trail running. Mike shares how finding a running group not only helped him become a better runner but also introduced him to a supportive, inspiring community that made every trail run more fun and meaningful. From feeling uncertain about joining a group to discovering the friendships, motivation, and share...
Send us a text "I could bench press over 100kgs, but I couldn’t walk 5KMs." 🤯 In this special solo episode of Trail Chasers, Dean takes the mic alone for the first time to share his personal journey—how a passion for communication led him from university radio 🎙️ to the world of podcasting, and how trail running 🏔️ completely transformed his life. From lifting heavy in the gym 💪 to struggling through his first run 😅, Dean opens up about the pivotal moments that changed everything—his struggle...
Send us a text What if I told you that the secret to becoming a stronger, faster, and injury-free runner isn’t just running more—but running smarter? In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz sits down with Brendan Lombard, an elite runner, coach, and sports scientist, to break down the art and science of training smarter, not harder. With years of experience coaching athletes worldwide, Brendan shares insights on balancing performance, recovery, and longevity in trail running. Bren...
Send us a text What if I told you that one woman’s vision, a simple WhatsApp group, and a desire for connection could create a movement that empowers women in trail running? In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz sits down with Bryony McCormick, the founder of Chicks Who Trail, to explore how a small idea became a thriving community that’s reshaping the trail running landscape for women. What started as a way to bring women together on the trails has evolved into a powerful netwo...
Send us a text What if I told you that a small group of friends, a WhatsApp chat, and a love for the mountains could spark a trail running revolution? In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz dives into the story of how trail running communities in the Deep South of Cape Town were formed—without plans, rules, or expectations. What started as casual meetups evolved into thriving, tight-knit groups that have redefined what it means to run together. Dean sits down with Noah and Leanne...
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