The UKRunChat podcast.

Two years ago, we chatted to Tim Goule about how running had become such an important part of his life.

He'd started running during lockdown, was using it as a way to look after his mental health, was fitting it around work and family life, and had one big ambition sitting in the background: running the London Marathon.

Fast forward two years and a lot has changed.

Tim got that much-awaited London Marathon place, trained for his first marathon and finally crossed the finish line in April 2026.

We catch up on...

What happens when a local business gets behind a running event, and its employees get involved?

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle chats to Ben Hartshorne, Business Support Administrator at Wace Morgan, headline sponsors of the Wace Morgan Shrewsbury 5K & 10K 2026 and main sponsors of the Shrewsbury Half and Metric Half Marathon.

Ben explains how getting behind the Shrewsbury 5K and 10K has helped create a running culture within Wace Morgan, with colleagues training together, taking part in the races and even joining lunchtime running and strength sessions.

When the firm...

What happens when a local business gets behind a running event, and its employees get involved?

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle chats to Ben Hartshorne, Business Support Administrator at Wace Morgan, headline sponsors of the Wace Morgan Shrewsbury 5K & 10K 2026 and main sponsors of the Shrewsbury Half and Metric Half Marathon.

Ben explains how getting behind the Shrewsbury 5K and 10K has helped create a running culture within Wace Morgan, with colleagues training together, taking part in the races and even joining lunchtime running and strength sessions.

When the firm...

This week on the UKRunChat podcast, Michelle is joined by Naomi Atkin, Lorna Green, Emma Backhouse and Steph Smith from Lingen Davies, who are all getting ready for the Shrewsbury Half or Metric Half this September.

Lingen Davies is a Shrewsbury based cancer charity and the headline charity partner for this year's Shrewsbury 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Metric Half. 

We chat about how the charity's partnership with the events came about, why running and fundraising work so well together, and how taking on a challenge for a cause can provide an extra bit of m...

At the Shrewsbury 10K this summer, one runner stood out from the crowd. While everyone else was trying to run as light as possible, Lee Firmstone crossed the start line carrying a 20kg hay bale on his back.

But this isn't about setting records or attracting attention.

Lee, better known as The Bale Man, is completing 30 challenges in memory of his friend Will. Will was a young farmer who would have turned 30 this year, inspiring Lee's year-long mission to honour his memory while raising money for Shropshire Rural Support, a charity supporting farming families and r...

What do you do when you've nearly completed 100 organised 10Ks, you're ticking off European capital cities one run at a time, and you're looking for your next adventure?

For PE teacher Kevin Dove, the answer was simple: run the entire Kent coastline.

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, we catch up with Kevin just a couple of days into his challenge, having already completed almost 50km.

Kevin shares how conversations with endurance runner Nick Butter inspired him to think bigger, why he's deliberately taking a day-on, day-off approach to recovery, and how...

Thinking about running your first half marathon? Or looking to improve on your next one?

This week we chat to James Stirling, better known as London Fitness Guy, who specialises in helping busy people build strength and sustainable fitness habits. James is currently completing the SuperHalfs Challenge — six iconic half marathons across Europe — and shares the lessons he's learned.

In this episode we discuss:

When Alex Feechan started mountain biking with a group of women in the Scottish Borders, she noticed something frustrating. The men's section dominated outdoor shops, while the women's offering often felt like an afterthought.

That experience inspired her to leave a successful career designing knitwear for high-end brands, to launch FINDRA, an outdoor clothing brand designed by women, for women.

In this episode, Alex shares how conversations with real women shaped every stage of the business, why representation matters, and why the right clothing can help remove barriers that stop people getting outdoors.

...

For most runners, Lazarus "Laz" Lake is the creator of the Barkley Marathons and the inventor of the Backyard Ultra. But after spending a year filming the first authorised documentary about him, filmmaker Paul Mellor has discovered there's much more to the man than his legendary races.

Paul takes us behind the scenes of the documentary and shares what it's like spending hundreds of hours with one of endurance sport's most fascinating characters.

We explore why Laz finally agreed to tell his own story, how his unconventional approach to race directing has influenced the running...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle talks to Mel Bound, founder and CEO of This Woman Runs, one of the world's largest women's running communities.

What began with a simple Facebook post asking if anyone wanted to be her running buddy has grown into a movement supporting tens of thousands of women across the UK through free weekly walks, runs and beginner-friendly programmes.

Mel shares her own running journey, from being an asthmatic child encouraged to run by her GP, to losing her running identity after having children and recovering from major back...

What if your running club, community group or local organisation had access to funding that could help more people get active and break down barriers to participation?

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle is joined by Tanya Kenrick, General Manager of the ISPO Impact Foundation, to discuss the Foundation's new €1 million annual fund and how it aims to support projects that use sport and outdoor activity as a force for good.

Tanya explains the Foundation's mission, the different levels of funding available, and the types of projects they hope to support from small gr...

Just under a year after our first conversation, race director John Yelland returns to the UKRunChat Podcast to talk about the realities of organising grassroots events and why community matters more than ever.

John is the founder of Mad Hatter Sports Events in Cornwall and creator of the unique Hourglass Race, a "front yard ultra" where runners tackle two-mile laps against a steadily shrinking time limit.

In this episode we discuss the challenges facing race organisers, from rising costs and late entries to volunteer recruitment and social media marketing. We also explore what makes grassroots...

Just under a year after our first conversation, race director John Yelland returns to the UKRunChat Podcast to talk about the realities of organising grassroots events and why community matters more than ever.

John is the founder of Mad Hatter Sports Events in Cornwall and creator of the unique Hourglass Race, a "front yard ultra" where runners tackle two-mile laps against a steadily shrinking time limit.

In this episode we discuss the challenges facing race organisers, from rising costs and late entries to volunteer recruitment and social media marketing. We also explore what makes grassroots...

In this inspiring episode of the UK RunChat Podcast, Michelle chats with adventurer, mountain leader, polar expedition guide, photographer, and author Alex Nemeth, the first Hungarian to complete the legendary Seven Summits challenge—climbing the highest mountain on every continent, including Mount Everest.

Alex shares the remarkable journey that took her from a marketing career in Wimbledon to summiting the world's highest peaks. Discover how a passion for photography unexpectedly led her into mountaineering, the lessons she learned from facing fear and uncertainty, and why running, cycling, and endurance training became essential tools in preparing for some of...

This week on the UKRunChat Podcast, we’re joined by comedian, writer and runner Paul Tonkinson.

Paul’s new book, Running Through Sand, follows his attempt to complete the legendary Marathon des Sables, a 250km self-sufficient ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert.

But this conversation goes far beyond the race itself.

We talk about:

What if the secret to running stronger, longer and staying injury-free isn’t another hard workout, but walking?

In this episode of the UK RunChat Podcast, Michelle speaks with Dr. Courtney Conley, foot and gait specialist, founder of Gait Happens, and co-author of Walk: Your Life Depends On It — about why walking could be one of the most powerful tools runners are overlooking.

From foot strength and running longevity to shoe design, recovery and gait mechanics, this conversation is packed with practical advice that could completely change the way you think about movement.

You’...

This week on the UKRunChat Podcast, we’re joined by award-winning writer, director and poet P Burton-Morgan, ahead of their UK tour of Running Commentary, a unique solo show blending stand-up, poetry, and real-life running experiences.

After over a decade without exercise, P returned to running in their 40s during a period of major life change. What began as a way to cope quickly became something much bigger, leading to running club friendships, unexpectedly fast race times, and over 150 poems inspired by running.

In this episode, we explore:

Dejon Noel-Williams: Running, Mental Health & the London Marathon

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, we chat to Dejon Noel-Williams—personal trainer, reality TV personality, and founder of London run club Vibe Tribe—as he prepares to take on his first marathon.

Dejon shares how running went from being a “punishment” during his football career to becoming a powerful tool for coping with grief and loneliness while living abroad. That experience ultimately inspired him to create Vibe Tribe, a welcoming and inclusive run community built on connection, support, and “0% ego, 100% vibes.”

We also dive into hi...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle is joined by James Hunter, who is nearing the finish line of his incredible “Mission 40” challenge.

To mark turning 40, James set out to complete 40 endurance events in 12 months, including marathons, half marathons, trail races, cycling and hiking, all while raising money for RUHX, the official NHS charity of Bath’s Royal United Hospital.

With 34 events already completed, James shares what the journey has really looked like so far. From the moment the idea first took shape, to the reality of balancing training, life and recovery, this conversation explor...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle speaks to Aaron Sharples about his ambitious project, El Camino Español, a 1,600km run along the entire east coast of Spain.

Starting in Portbou near the French border and finishing in La Línea at the gateway to Gibraltar, Aaron plans to complete the route in just 28 days, averaging around 80km a day. The challenge could set a Fastest Known Time and potentially be a world first.

But this isn’t just about distance or speed. Aaron shares how his running journey began during the COVID-19 pand...

In this episode of the UKRunChat podcast, Michelle speaks with Lia Fyles, the driving force behind the London Landmarks Half Marathon.

What started as a fundraising challenge for Tommy's has grown into a 20,000-runner event that celebrates London’s history, community, and charitable spirit while raising millions for good causes.

Lia shares how the event came to life, the challenges of closing central London, and why the race has become such a sought-after experience for runners.

We chat about:

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, we’re joined by returning guest Dr Juliet McGrattan to talk about her new book, The Runner’s Guide to Menopause.

Menopause is something every woman will experience, yet many runners feel unprepared for how it can affect their training, performance, and motivation. Juliet shares expert insight — alongside her own lived experience — to help runners better understand what’s happening in their bodies and how to adapt.

We discuss:

What happens when someone who only started running a year ago decides to run 100 marathons in 100 days?

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle speaks with Hannah Cox, the founder of the Better Business Network and the woman behind Project Salt Run — a world-first endurance challenge running the length of India’s historic Inland Customs Line.

Over 100 days Hannah covered 4,224 kilometres, completing 75 marathons and 23 ultramarathons across 11 Indian states.

But this story isn’t about elite performance.

It’s about perseverance, purpose, and people power.

Running through extreme heat, pollutio...

Breathing is something every runner does thousands of times on every run — yet it’s something most of us never think about.

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle speaks with breathing coach and former professional rugby player David 'Jacko' Jackson about how improving the way we breathe can impact running efficiency, mobility, and performance.

After a serious brain injury ended his rugby career, Jacko began exploring breathing as a tool for improving brain health and regulating the nervous system. That journey eventually led him to become a Master Oxygen Advantage coach and write his...

At 48, Neil Mills is taking on one of the biggest challenges of his life: running and walking 950 miles in just 21 days.

But this isn’t just about covering 45 miles a day.

Neil is visiting every Young Lives vs Cancer Home from Home across the UK, raising funds for families facing childhood cancer. Behind the distance lies a deeply personal story of addiction, late-diagnosed ADHD, rebuilding identity, and discovering that endurance running offers him stability.

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Neil shares how discipline became a lifeline, how long miles quiet a no...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle is joined by Catherine and Pippa, co-founders of Trail & Bloom, a trail running retreat designed to support women navigating midlife.

Both share deeply personal journeys of how their relationships with movement evolved. From early experiences of feeling “not good enough” in sport, to running as punishment for eating, to rediscovering joy and confidence on the trails, this is an honest conversation about identity, body image, performance and self-worth.

Catherine talks about how perimenopause, injury and life pressures left her questioning her place in running, and how trail runn...

This week on the podcast, Fiona Horsfield takes us inside the Montane Winter Spine Race, Britain’s Most Brutal endurance event along the Pennine Way.

We talk about:

🥣 Eating when you don’t want to
😴 Sleeping when you can
🎒 Getting kit decisions right
🧠 Staying mentally steady when fatigue hits

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to move for days through winter conditions, this episode is an honest look at the physical and psychological reality of ultra-endurance racing.

“You can’t think about 268 miles. You just focus on the next sect...

In this episode of the UKRunChat podcast, we’re joined by Meryl Cooper, who has represented Britain on the international ultra stage.

Hailing from Aberdeenshire, Meryl shares her journey from a background in football to discovering trail and ultra running in 2017, and how quickly the sport became a defining part of her life. We explore her progression from early races to earning selection for Great Britain & Northern Ireland, and what it’s really like stepping onto the international stage in mountain and trail running.

Meryl reflects on racing at home and abroad, adapting to different terr...

In this episode of UKRunChat, we’re joined by endurance runner James Lewis, whose challenges sit far outside the usual rulebook of endurance sport. With a willingness to learn the hard way, James has taken on a series of unconventional endurance projects that test resilience, adaptability, and mental toughness more than finish times.

From running 92 miles in his first-ever 24-hour event on a 400m track, to repeatedly attempting a Guinness World Record blindfolded run, James shares what happens when ambition outruns preparation, and why failure has become a defining part of his journey.

We also di...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, we catch up with adventurer and world-record holder Mitch Hutchcraft following the completion of his extraordinary Great British Dog Walk Challenge.

Just weeks after we last spoke, Mitch ran 16 back-to-back ultra marathons, covering 720 kilometres from the UK’s lowest point at Holme Fen to the summit of Ben Nevis, battling freezing rain, snow and exhaustion across 16 consecutive days. In doing so, he set a new world record, all while raising awareness for overcrowded dog rescue centres and the illegal puppy trade in the UK.

Inspired by his rescue do...

In this episode of the UKRunChat podcast, Mike Seaman, the driving force behind The National Running Show joins us to chat about the show's roots and also his own endurance running, having recently completed the Winter Downs 200, Javelina Jundred (100 miles), a 50k ultra, and summited Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

We talk about Mike’s journey into running, his experience of running 200 miles, what goes on behind the scenes of major running events, and what he’s seeing across the running and outdoor industry right now.

Follow Mike

Follow...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, we’re joined by ultrarunner, campaigner and community builder Sabrina Pace-Humphreys.

Sabrina came to running in her 40s while navigating postnatal depression, looking for something that might help her survive a difficult period in her life. What started as a lifeline became a path to purpose, and eventually led her to some of the toughest endurance events in the world, including the Marathon des Sables, UTMB and the Spine Race.

Sabrina is also the co-founder of Black Trail Runners, a community working to increase representation, access and belonging in...

This week, Michelle chats with Lisa Jackson, Runner’s World columnist, 100 Marathon Club member, and author of Running Made Easy, Your Pace or Mine?, and her brand new memoir Still Running After All These Tears: A Runner’s Journey Through Grief.

Lisa shares how running helped her rebuild her life after loss, what finishing last in 25 marathons has taught her about success, and how we can all rediscover our running mojo when motivation fades. With warmth and humour, she reminds us that running is about finishing lines, not finishing times.

We talk about:

A year after her first appearance on the podcast, physiotherapist Nicky Edwards returns to update us on a life-changing year. Since we last spoke, Nicky has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, but far from slowing down, Nicky has taken on some of the toughest challenges in UK ultra-running.

Nicky talks us through the emotional and chaotic lead-up to the Arc of Attrition, receiving her MRI results just days before the race, and how she battled reduced sensation, balance issues and overwhelming uncertainty to make the St Ives cutoff with minutes to spare. Nicky opens up about the...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle speaks with Priya, co-founder of Phoenix Manchester, the first Indian-born woman in the 100 Marathon Club, and one of only two South Asian women race directors in the UK.

Priya shares her journey from cheering at the London Marathon to completing 100 marathons, discovering the power of Jeffing, and creating Phoenix Manchester with her partner Paula to offer inclusive, low-pressure running events for all abilities.

Links mentioned:
➡️ Phoenix Running website: phoenixrunning.co.uk
➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenixrunningmanchester/

➡️ Instagram Manchester Galloway Run Walk Run: https://www.inst...

In this episode, Michelle speaks with Neil Thubron, founder of XNRG and an athlete who has spent decades pushing the limits of endurance. From his early days in the British Army Reserves to multi-day ultras across deserts, mountains and frozen wilderness, Neil has built a life around resilience, purpose and helping others do the same.

Neil shares the story behind his most extreme challenge yet, the Yukon Arctic Ultra, a 300-mile race through –50°C temperatures. He explains how he trained by pulling tyres for hours before dawn, what it was like to run alone through the frozen Can...

In this episode, we speak with former-Royal Marine and world-record–breaking adventurer Mitch Hutchcraft, who completed the longest climb of Everest in historyearlier this year. Now, just six months later, he’s taking on a new mission — and this time, it’s all for the dogs.

Starting 3rd December, Mitch will run 700km / 16 back-to-back marathons from the UK’s lowest point in his hometown of Ramsey in Cambridgeshire, to the summit of Ben Nevis. Along the way he’ll visit multiple dog rescue centres, meet hundreds of owners, and highlight the urgent need to adopt, not shop as shelters...

This week on the UKRunChat Podcast, we head across the Atlantic to Virginia to chat with ultra-runner John Calabrese.

John started running in 2017 during a difficult period in his life and has since thrown himself into everything from road marathons to some of the toughest trail races in the US, including the legendary Barkley.

We dive into:

A quick note that this episode includes open discussion of cancer, grief, and loss. Please take care while listening, and skip sections if you need to.

In this episode, UKRunChat host Michelle talks to Toby Freeman, founder of The Robin Cancer Trust and creator of the Big Ballsy Challenge, a 500km running campaign raising awareness of testicular cancer.

After losing his brother Robin to a late-stage diagnosis, Toby channelled his grief into purpose, building one of the UK’s leading young adult cancer charities and using running to start life-saving conversations.

Toby shares his...

this episode of the UKRunChat podcast, we're joined by ultra runners, authors, and adventurers Jen & Sim Benson. They share stories of epic challenges, why ultras feel like “supported adventures,” and how the community makes the sport so special.

We also dive into their brand-new book, Ultra: The World Atlas of Ultramarathons — a beautifully curated guide to iconic and lesser-known races around the globe. Whether you’re dreaming of UTMB, curious about Mongolia’s remote ultra, or wondering if you really can walk a 100k, this episode has insights and inspiration for every trail runner.

Topics covered:<...