The Home Trails Podcast

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In this episode, Home Trails speaks to Colin Murphy, race director for the 13 Valleys ultramarathons happening at the end of September in the Lake District.

The race returns for its 3rd year and we dive into the fast becoming iconic lakes race. We find out the origins of the race. What challenges its faced in its inaugural years and the ethos behind the race that is part of the much larger Great North Race Series, that organises The Great North Run among other large events.

We also...

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* THE FULL VIDEO VERSION IS AVAILABLE ON THE HOME TRAILS YOUTUBE CHANNEL 

The podcast teamed up with Kailas Fuga and Robin - The Running Accountant to put on the first Kailas Fuga shoe and gear test!

We headed to Edale to meet up with Pippa Ebel and Chris Chan from the marketing department of the largest trail running brand in China! To put on the very first gear test in the UK.
Everyone who filled in the form and turned up on the night, got to te...

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Damo returns to the Home Trails podcast.

Damian is probably the guest with the highest number of appearances on the podcast, but we're always happy to talk to him. Especially when he's smashing races like the Montane Lakeland 100!
Damo admits that his goal was to go under 20 hours regardless of his position. But we all know that his race went to plan and he took the victory. Something that his old self from back in 2014 who did the 50 miler, didn't think was possible.

We talk about...

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Friend of the show Charlotte returns to talk about Lakeland 100.

Charlotte continues her cracking year by storming to a well deserved 2nd place and 10th overall In the classic Lake District event.

We catch up on how her race went and what the podium means for her chances of being picked up by a major sponsor! We talk about how she is leaving her influencer career behind her to concentrate on her running. How having a big social presence is helping her get noticed as an athl...

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In this weeks podcast I speak to PT and co-author of the legendary book “Fixing Your Feet” 

If you don’t know about this book, you either haven’t been in ultrarunning long enough or you haven’t done any of the races that need the knowledge that this book provides! 

If you’ve ever had issues with your feet in long events, then this book and now this podcast episode is essential reading/listening to prepare. Tonya talks about her route into physical therapy and ultramarathons and...

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Clorroe joins the podcast for the first time this week.
We talk about her route into ultra-running, her upbringing in the great outdoors and obviously we dive into her obsession with the Spine Race.

We discuss her journey into trail running photography and how she managed to earn her spot on the Spine media team.
Clorroe speaks about her experience as part of the Spine safety team and how her local knowledge of the Cheviots made her ideal for a shift at HUT 2, where she began her...

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Evan has literally burst onto the scene less than a year ago. But he's already won or podiumed at some of the UK's toughest ultras!

Coming a very respectable 6th place at Lakes In a Day, in his first ultra back in October 24, he's gone on to win the Bowland Ultra. He took 2nd at Pendle Way in Day and another 2nd place at the Fellsman in April.

His latest top 10 result at Trail Verbier St Bernard by UTMB has earned him recognition internationally as one to w...

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Doug returns to talk about TrailCon and WSER.

Doug, along with Dylan Bowman and Brendan Madigan have got their respective heads together to bring the world TrailCon. A week long bridge between Broken Arrow Skyrace and Western States 100.

TrailCon is the trail running conference that we all need. By the people, for the people.

Doug talks about his favourite moments from both TC and WSER and speaks about the successes from this years event and learnings to take through to 2026.

We dive into...

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Allie returns to the podcast to talk about her recent win at the Summer Spine Challenger North!

Allie took on the 160 mile ultra as part of her training towards the Full Winter Spine this coming January 2026. This is a race I know really well, having done it back in 2023. So we shared horror stories of destroyed feet, pasties and hallucinations!

We talk about her feelings of contentment as she ran the race of her dreams and had a performance that she considers a 'Unicorn'.....basically everything went...

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In this episode, JB Benna the creative force behind the now iconic film Unbreakable, speaks to the podcast about why the project to cover this years race (Unbreakable 2) isn't happening after all.

We discuss his early years racing ultramarathons with some of the OG goats of the 90' and 2000's. How his running intertwined with his love of movie making, that ultimately brought us the film we all know and love. A film about 4 ultra athletes, Killian, Jeff, Anton and Hal racing from Tahoe to Auburn in the West...

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Episode 1 of 2.

Julian Ayres and Chris Andrade return to the podcast to talk about Challenger South starting this Saturday morning.

We catch up on what they've been up to since we last spoke to them. We find out their reasons for doing this race with the choice 5 races on offer now, with the addition of Sprint North.

We dive into their preparation leading up to this race and how they plan to attack the route.

Episode 2 on the way......

HT

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Episode 2 of 2 

Podcast regular Jon Shield and and newbie Louise Goddard come onto the podcast to talk about their upcoming races this weekend.

Jon returns to put the full Spine to bed after his DNF last year with a stomach bug.

We find out how his recent training and racing has gone. We talk about his feet during his recent race at Cape Wrath and his he's preparing for more foot carnage at this years race!

Louise, who made a brief appearance on on...

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In this episode I speak to authors Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson.

Last month the duo launched their book ULTRA WOMEN, a book all about the history of women's endurance throughout the years. 

This book reveals the sometimes hidden history of women's sporting achievements and paints the picture of the opposition that women have faced over the years.

The book tells the stories of multiple women that have gone above and beyond what has been expected of them by the largely sexist male population. The b...

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In this episode of the podcast I speak to Keith Wigley about his 3rd place at UTS 100k.

Keith has patiently worked his way up to a performance that put him firmly on the podium along side running veterans, Jon Albon and Mathieu Blanchard! 

Keith talks about how his training has improved with the guidance of the Elite Trail Running Team and how he now has his sights set on Worlds in September. 

Keith is a very down to earth runner who is happy to sha...

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In this episode of the @hometrails_ podcast we speak to Mike McMonagle, aka @shitinthewoods

We ask Mike the Superhero question and find out that his reputation as the ‘fast media guy’ is well earned. 

Recently, Mike made the trip from Salt Lake City to North Wales to take part in Ultra Trail Snowdonia. 

We ask Mike why he took on one of Europe’s toughest ultramarathons. We find out how he trained for the unique terrain and his experience as a US runner. 

We also div...

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Charlotte returns to the Home Trails podcast for another catch up.

This time its to talk about her awesome performance at UTS over the past weekend. Last year Charlotte was sick going into the race and although she gritted it out to finish, she felt like she had more to give at this iconic by UTMB race.

We talk about what went right, what went wrong and how she got into beast mode tho finish the race sting and in 3rd place!

It's always grea...

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Tom returns to the Home Trails podcast!

We talk about his 3rd place at the UTS 100 miler at the past weekend. We dive into his training and racing leading up to his podium success and we discuss the changes he's made to bring him back to his former racing form.

One of which is upping his iron intake to raise his ferritin levels and help him to regain his strength and recovery prowess!

We talk about his race calendar for the year and how this...

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Home Trails were the official Podcast in residence at The LAP 2025!

This is a long episode but it has 3 distinct parts. So if you were interviewed by me over the weekend then it should be fairly easy to find yourself if you want to skip some parts.

In the first section I speak to everyone in the queue for registration on Friday night. So if you were one of the unlucky ones to smile at me and then receive an interview, then it will be in the...

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In this episode of the Home Trails Podcast, I speak to Rebecca Hormann.

Last week, Rebecca stormed to victory at the GB ULTRAS Pennine Barrier 50 in 8:45:58, to not only win, but take 4th place overall

Rebecca is well traveled and holds multiple passports due to her heritage. She grew up in America, then moved to Spain for her soccer career (football), then moved to Malaysia, followed by Northern Ireland, Switzerland and finally good old Blighty!

During her travels Rebecca started to run, then the pand...

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In this episode I speak to the ball of energy and enthusiasm that is Davy Newell!

Since 2019 Davy has been putting on The LAP in the Lake District, a 47 mile ultramarathon around lake Windermere.

Davy has gradually scaled up the race since its first inception before the pandemic, turning it into one of the UK's most recognised and iconic ultras in the Lakes.

This year Davy has stepped up his media presence and next week I will be the official podcast in residence at the...

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In this episode I speak to returning guest, Scott Jenkins.

Scott was last on the show in 2024, when he became the first Brit to complete the Gland Slam of 200's in the US.

Since then Scott has moved from the the UK to New Jersey in the States. This gives him access to some of his favourite long course ultramarathons, including his latest race, The Arizona Monster 300!

Which as you've guest, is a 300 mile epic ultra across the desert put on by Destination Trails, who...

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This is a solo news episode.

I opine on Northern Traverse results, who's going to Western States, the controversies surrounding Destination Trails race, The Monster 300 and what's being said about it on social media and Reddit.

I also chat about my recent race at Ranger Ultras PB137 and and how I rolled my ankle 3 times, threw up 4 times, but still managed to hold onto 2nd place!

URS  

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

http://www.youtube.com/@ultrarunningsam

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This episode is an emotional one, so be prepared!

Luke talks about the moment as a 24 year old, that he now says was the end of everything he ever knew to be right with the world. The moment he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Having ignored a nagging pain in his shoulder for nearly 6 months, he finally went to the doctors and found that he had a tumour the size of a mango under his shoulder blade, as well as multiple metastasis in his lungs.

Rath...

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In this podcast we speak to returning guest Fiona Pascall.

Fi is back for a third time to talk about her recent success at Chianti by UTMB.

Fi beat some of the best international ultra runners to win the race and secure her golden ticket to the big dance in Auburn for Western States this June.

Although she is undecided about wether to take the ticket to WSER, we all know its probably to most likely outcome as even she admits that it could be a...

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Instagram Live with Robin the Running Accountant!

We dive into all the action from Barkley Marathons and we chat about what might go down at Chianti by UTMB this coming weekend!

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@hometrails_

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In this episode I speak to Dicksy, AKA Simon Dicks.

Simon is a very humble, but also a very accomplished ultra runner. Whose won races in opposite environments. From the jungle and desert, to the snow and ice. 
I caught up with him at the end of this years winter Spine Race and we booked to talk about all things Spine Race......But we couldn't make it work until now. 
So although we do talk about Britain's Most Brutal race, we mainly talk about his growing busine...

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In this episode I speak to returning guest Stu Westfield from Ranger Ultras.

Ranger Ultras hold a special place for me and my racing career, with the PB57 being my first race win back in 2019.
So this conversation is a catch up with Stu and a chat about what we've both been up to over the years since we last sat down for chat. 
Stu's races really are representative of what local grassroots ultramarathon's are all about. Low prices, maximum fun and a loyal community of racer...

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If you're a shoe geek, you won't want to miss this one!

Chris, AKA The Key Cobbler, has shot to social media fame with his instagram reels showing his skills as a cobbler, based in Kendal in the Lake District. 
Returning running shoes back to their former glory, he has quickly gained a reputation for being the go-to guy for anything shoe repair.
But it's not just his repair skills that he's in demand for. He's also gained a reputation for modifying shoes. Including, taking brand new r...

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Audio taken from the documentary on YouTube 

https://youtu.be/G0C8ACMuayE?si=TQisjHbHhj9Zu7Gw

Welcome to HOME TRAILS episode 3.

This time I interview Kim Collison about his return to this years Spine Race, to take the win on his 4th attempt!
When his critics said it couldn't be done in the way he approached it, Kim silenced every one of them by winning the race in the way he always intended. From the front, pushing all the way!<...

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In this episode I speak to Danny Stokes from TrailFam.

TrailFam is a charity that Danny set up after seeing the kids at his school suffer because they didn't have access to green spaces during the pandemic.

TrailFam provides access to nature and the outdoors through the sport of trail running. They're programs are designed to inspire, motivate, and empower young people. TrailFam is on a journey to transform the lives of young people across the UK. 

In the episode we speak about Dannys own r...

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In this episode of the podcast I speak to rising ultra star Sam Skinner!

Sam shot to fame in 2023 when he took 2nd place at the Centurion Winter Downs 200. Since then he's steadily made a name for himself as one of the nicest guys in ultramarathon. But don't let that fool you....Sam is one determined cookie! 

We talk about his route into ultras, which involved some serious life adjustments. From a stalled career in football, then as a boxer, Sam was a sportsman in every sense...

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In this episode I speak to long time podcast listener and friend of the show, Alice Kershaw!

Alice could possibly be a bigger fan of the Spine Race than even I am, which is saying something obviously!
Alice loves the race so much that she's ran nearly all of the (now) 4 races in the summer and the winter editions. With podiums places in the Sprint, South and full Summer Spine Race! So it's safe to say that she's a fully paid up member of the Spine Family!
...

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In this episode of the podcast we speak to Tiaan Erwee who took 3rd place at this years Winter Spine Race.

Tiaan had unfinished business at the winter edition of the race after suffering 2 DNFs. He then came back to smash the overall summer Spine record, knocking 7 hours off the previous course record!

So coming back to do what he knew could be done at the race was his goal for this year. As we know the leading pack shifted back and forth, but Tiaan was alwa...

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Welcome to the last episode of the podcast in residence at the Spine Race!

In this episode we round up the week of racing and we get final thoughts from Allie Bailey and Phil Hayday-Brown.

We talk to James Thurlow about Open Tracking and the growing sport of dot watching!

The interviews will continue in the next few weeks as we resume a normal podcasting schedule!

URS

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

http://www.youtube.com/@ultrarunningsam

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

Welcome back to the resident podcast for the 2025 Montane Winter Spine Races!

In this episode we see the winners of the full Spine and Challenger North races. Lucy Gossage wins the women's race and Kim Collison makes it 4th time lucky to finish and simultaneously win the Montane Winter Spine Race!
Nicky Spinks and Paul Grundy win the women's and mens Challenger North races in super quick style!

The last episode of the podcast residency lands in the next few days as the race draws to a...

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Welcome back to the resident podcast for the 2025 Montane Winter Spine Races!

In this episode we speak to the women of the race!
We have trail interviews with Lucy Gossage, Robyn Cassidy, Nicki Arthur, Sarah Perry and Laura Swanton Rouvelin.

We talk to checkpoint staff about their observations on how the women are doing and how they personally draw inspiration from them battling against the weather and the terrain of Britain's Most Brutal Race!

Nicki Lygo - Checkpoint Lead, tells us about the hist...

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Welcome back to the resident podcast for the 2025 Montane Winter Spine Races!

In this episode we speak to the women's and men's podium for Challenger South and North. 
We talk to Nicki Spinks and Samantha Lissauer about Challenger North and Jon Shield gives us a lesson in gluing his Leki poles back together! (as well as his thoughts on the race, obviously)

We also catch Kim Collison briefly at CP2 Hawes, where he was leading the race ahead of Eugenie and the following pack.

T...

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This is not a traditional podcast episode but......this is the audio from the start line interviews during the extended Instagram LIVE. 

If you're a SPINE nerd you will appreciate this....if not then please don't come at me in the comments!

Featured are Laura Swanton Rouvelin, Hannah Rickman, Allie Bailey, Sarah Perry, Simon Roberts and a host of off the cuff interviews.

Maybe you recognise a voice and can tell me who I spoke to?
Send me a message!

URS
<...

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Episode 2 dives into some of the contenders from the mens race and Jack and Damo interview each other? Next they will be arm wrestling!

More episodes to come this week so stay tuned!

URS

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

http://www.youtube.com/@ultrarunningsam

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

The Ultrarunning Sam Podcast becomes the resident podcast for the Spine Race 2025!

Tune in for regular episodes throughout the week!

This episode is an intro to the week and some thoughts on Challenger South.

URS 

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

http://www.youtube.com/@ultrarunningsam