The Runner's World UK Podcast

Over the past few years, Jonny Davies has amassed a huge online following by documenting his running and setting himself a series of increasingly difficult running challenges. His latest, Run the Capitals, saw him run to the capitals of the UK and Ireland – a distance of 960km that he completed in just over 11 days. Here him talk about his training, injury-prevention routine and what motivates him to keep testing his limits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We entered into the rarified air of the Altitude Centre in London to talk to lead performance specialist James Barber about altitude training and why it's not just for those who want to run up mountains (but it does help with that too) and heat adaptation and why that's relevant to racing in the UK as well as abroad. Then Ben spoke to Montane adventurer and ultrarunner Katy Parrott about her experience of racing very far, her training, recovering from anemia and being sick at the finish line of Race for Life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine running more than 30 miles a day for two months. That's what this week's guest did on his Big Tour of England, which saw him visit every cathedral city in the country. In the process, Frank raised thousands for children's charity The Brathay Trust. Hear him talk about the challenge and the advice he has for other people looking to run seriously long distances. Useful links: Frank's JustGiving page: justgiving.com/page/frank-wainwright-bigtoerunner Frank's website: frankpublishing.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of the Runner's World podcast, we speak with author and 2:20 marathoner Michael Crawley about his new book, To the Limit, which explores what endurance means in cultures around the world. Listen to Crawley talk about the importance of playfulness, running to feel and the lessons he learned running with everyone from the Raramuri in the Copper Canyons of Mexico to ultrarunners in the UK. Pick up a copy of To the Limit at Waterstones, Amazon or any good bookshop: waterstones.com/book/to-the-limit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Endurance athlete, social media star and recent author Josh Patterson is on the front cover of the latest issue of Runner's World's, which focuses on mental health. In his new book, Fortune Favours the Brave, Patterson opens up about his own mental health challenges and offers advice to others who may be going through something similar. As you'd expect from a man who once ran 76 marathons in 76 days, there's plenty of running chat too, but the conversation does cover topics such as suicidal thoughts and self-harm that some listeners may find distressing. If you have been affected by some of the topics discussed in this podcast, Samaritans' training volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free and confidential. Just call 116 123. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Running is so hot rn. The popularity of running is soaring like never before, so Rick and Ben are joined by Andy and Ali to discuss what might have been the cause of this increase in popularity for our favourite past time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We spoke to the female winner of the UTMB this year, Katie Schide. She's had an incredible year, not just winning the UTMB but also the Western States 100, so we wanted to find out all her secrets to success. She also told us the truth about running poles. Thanks for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unless you, too, have spent the past month in the glorious isolation of the Jordanian desert, you're probably aware that Spencer Matthews recently completed an epic running challenge. The former Made in Chelsea man has become the first person to run 30 marathons in 30 days in the desert. In the process, he's raised more than £600,000 for Global's Make Some Noise charities. On this episode, he talks heat chambers, eating a 1kg of rice a day and almost treading on a horned viper. Spencer is raising money for Global's Make Some Noise: makesomenoise.com/spencer-matthews-desert-challenge/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two-thousand five-hundred kilometres, 110,000 metres of elevation and no days off for a month and a half – Jake Catterall's crossing of the Alps is epic in every sense. On this episode, he talks about how he trained for it, the highlights and why he thinks people are often capable of much more than they think. For more on Jake, check out the links below: Instagram: @jakecatterall Website: jakecatterall.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2022, Imo Boddy became the youngest woman to run from John O' Groats to Land's End, aged 22. This year, she backed that up by breaking the long-standing Three Peaks record, becoming the fastest female to run up – and between – the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales. She offers advice to others looking to take on ultra-distance challenges, and tells us what she hopes to do next. Follow Imo's running on Instagram: @imoboddy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining us this week is the founder and CEO of Hyrox, Christian Toekze. No idea what Hyrox is? Well, have a good listen and find out, but it's essentially a running event that also combines strength and functional fitness. It's like a running race, but in the gym. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a week break, we're back and Rick and Ben chat about running in the heat because it's proper hot out. How best to do it, why hydrations matters, going slow is key and even not even running are all options discussed. Have you ever put your hat in the freezer? Let us know. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Staring at Strava data for a weird amount of time? Considering getting that PB time tattooed on your neck? In this episode Ben and Rick are joined by Jen and Rachel to discuss the tell-tale signs that you might love running a bit too much! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've gone to the source this week and spent the afternoon chatting to the BBC Olympic commentary team about Paris 2024, who they're excited to see race, getting some predictions, what it's like to commentate on events as former athletes, online beef and much much more. In this extra special episode we speak Jeanette Kwakye, Denise Lewis, Colin Jackson, Gabby Logan and Jess Ennis Hill. What a line up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a lot of running kit out there; an abundance of shoes, fancy tops, smart watches, specialist eyewear and loads of other bits to spend all your hard earned cash on. To try and offer a guiding light on what to spend money on, where savings can be made and when is the best time to get a deal, Ben and Ali chat through the tech you need to care about, the sales that matter and why an £800 running watch isn't necessary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The power of the running influencer cannot be denied. The online presence and engagement of some amateur runners far outreaches the sway of brands and professional athletes, pulling in views and likes that gets marketing departments all hot and bothered. Joining us to discuss life as a running influencer and what that really means are Dr Becca Salmon, Jenny Mannion and Ian Arnold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bob Graham Round is a fell-running bucket-list item. It challenges runners to scale 42 peaks, covering 66 miles and 27,000 feet (around an Everest) of elevation, over the course of 24 hours. It tends to be the reserve of the ultra fit, but our guest this week proves that, with the right mindset and training, anyone can do it. Jenny Bushell says: ‘I don't have any kind of athletic background, and there's nothing special about me, except for possibly outsize levels of stubbornness.' Listen to her talk about her remarkable journey on this week's episode. Jenny now leads practical trail running workshops from her base in the Lake District. For more info, check out the links below: web: www.intothehills.co.uk Insta/FB: @intothehillstrailrunning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kilian Jornet's running CV is unparalleled. From the UTMB to the Western States, via Hardrock and numerous FKTs, the Catalan superstar has won everything. And yet his joy for running and the mountains remains undimmed. We were honoured to catch up with him to talk about why he'll always be motivated to run in the high places of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining Ben this week is elite orienteerer Ralph Street, who explains what this discipline within running is all about and why it's simply more than just map reading. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ten-minute power naps, knee injuries and sheer determination – Sophie Power gives an unflinching account of what it takes to break a multi-day running record. The 41-year-old mum of three is now the fastest woman to have run the length of Ireland, covering the 350 miles in three days, 12 hours and eight minutes. She talks about embracing the possibility of failure and how she hopes to inspire other women. Follow Sophie on Instagram: @ultra_sophie Find out more about SheRaces: sheraces.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices