Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

Myself and Robin are joined (briefly) by Kate to start the TURA 2024 awards podcast!

We dive into the stats and reveal the winners. From best brand, most sustainable race to the big one........Trail runner of the year!

Theres lots to unpack from the awards and we will be releasing the additional info from each category to give everyone the full picture of how people voted.

We've learned a lot from the experience and we hope that people enjoyed the first edition of TURA. As we've said all along, we will improve going forward and we look forward to everyones input in the coming year!

Thanks to everyone who took the time and voted.
We will reveal the prize winner tomorrow!

URS

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

In this episode I speak to Laura Swanton Rouvelin, who is returning to this years Spine Race.

Laura has had mixed success at the Spine over the years, from a DNF due to back pain, to returning only to have the same back issues, but gutting out the rest of the race to finish.
She then came back in the summer of 2023 to land on the podium in 2nd place and 7th overall for Britains Most Brutal race.
This time she takes on the winter race hoping to better her previous performances.

We talk about her approach to training and how that's changed over the years under the watchful eye of her coach - Kim Collison. We talk about the steps she's taken to strengthen her back in preparation for carrying the infamous "Spine Pack"

We talk a lot about how she juggles work, parenting, running and her favourite hobby, horse riding!

We talk about everything that the Spine throws at you, from spectacular views, to destroyed feet and everything in between!

This was a great chat and I'm really excited to see how she gets on next week!

URS

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

In this episode I speak to Tom Hoyle, AKA The Hiking Hairdresser on Instagram, to find out about the man who seems to be everywhere there's some Spine Race action to be had. From training weekends to the race media team, Tom is making a name for himself!

We talk about his route into trail running, his career as a professional photographer and his latest project ULTRA IMPOSSIBLE - 'A raw insight into the unique individuals from within the running community.'

We talk about what the project means to him and what he wants it to achieve. We talk about his own struggle with self confidence and how running and his photography have helped him personally.

Obviously we talk about our mutual favourite race, the Spine, how we met on the race and what his plans are for the media team this year.

For more information you can contact Tom through either his Hiking Hairdresser or Ultra Impossible pages on Instagram.

URS

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

In this episode I speak to returning guest Emma Stuart, AKA The Running Vet!

We talk about her recent win at Centurion Winter Downs 200 and the aftermath of her spectacular performance where she not only led the entire race, but finished with an injury and still took first lady and second overall!

We talk about her recovery, what she's been eating and the surprises she's had since finishing, including an unscheduled visit to the dentist this week. We talk about how she turned a DNF at UTMB into motivation to have a crack at the WD200 course.

We talk about how the race compares to other big ultras and the conditions that she encountered during her recce weekend and the race itself.
We dive into her fuelling and sleep strategies and how she would approach the race if she goes back next year.

URS

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

In this episode I speak to Rebecca Devereux about her journey to this years winter Spine Sprint, the first 46 miles of the Pennine Way.

Rebecca is a member of the ever growing community and charity, Black Trail Runners. A group seeking to increase the inclusion, participation and representation of people of Black ethnicity in trail running.

We talk about her path into ultra trail running, her training and racing leading up to this years race and how she is slowly coming to terms with the epic challenge that she's set herself, taking on Britain's most brutal race!
We discuss the support that Adidas Terrex has given her through their Infinite Trails Race and how she represented BTR through it.

We also discuss the issues faced by people of colour coming into a sport, that until now has been known for its participation by mostly white, middle-aged men!
Rebecca talks about her own insecurities when she first stood on a start line and looked around to see nobody that looked like her.
Black Trail Runners -BTR endeavour to change the previous demographic of a mainly white dominated sport and show that trail and ultra are a sport that is open to everyone.

To find out more please follow the links below ⬇️
Insta @rebecca_runs_wild
Black Trail runners @blacktrailrunners
Coach : @kotwf
Black to the Trails Sunday 11th May 2025
https://www.blacktothetrails.co.uk

A mention and thanks to @adidasterrex for their support and @lakes.divide and their journey fund.
I'm also an Ambassador for @torqfitness as well.

@infinitetrailsrace
Here is the link to the film we made about our Infinite Trails journey with BTR

https://youtu.be/8aMVuVduGOo?si=tNCiRHpfVDkzxL4K

URS

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

In this episode of the podcast I speak to returning guest Gavin Dale.

Last week Gavin made a successful attempt to lower the BGR record down to 14 hours 57 minutes and 45 seconds!
In this chat we talk about what he's been up to in the last year since we spoke and how this attempt at the record came to fruition.
Gavin speaks about the history and traditions that surround the classic Lakes round and how the weather that was predicted didn't materialise, but in fact added some credibility to an already tough day out.

We talk about the support crew that he assembled, at the last minute in some cases and Gavin talks about the work that goes into such an epic performance!

URS

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

In this episode of the podcast I speak to US trail and ultra podcasting legend Finn Melanson from the Singletrack podcast.

Finn has rapidly build a podcast in the USA that is the 'who's who' of trail and ultra.
Singletrack is noted for being on the cutting edge of ultra running news with race previews, commentary and keeping everyone up to date with what's going on right now in our beloved sport.

We dive into his humble beginnings as a podcaster, the mission statement of Sigletrack and where he sees his media empire in the future.
We talk about big money coming into our sport, the controversies surrounding UTMB and what the future looks like for professional trail and ultra running.

We also talk about his own personal running schedule for 2025, which includes Trans Gran Canaria, Coccodona and the possibility of working towards the Spine Race in 2026! Obviously music to my ears!

If you're not already listening to the Singletrack Podcast then I suggest you go and subscribe immediately!

URS

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

In this episode we welcome back returning guest Mel Sykes.
@mellywellywoo

We last spoke when she won The Spine Challenger South in the summer of 2023, so we had some catching up to do!

Mel was on a trajectory for success the last time we spoke, but something got in the way of her lofty plans, chiari malformation! (The medical term) So after brain surgery and recovery, her racing career was in question. But thankfully for Mel she has been able to return to running, but not just that, she is back racing and took second place at this summers challenger south race in preparation for her next big outing.......The full Winter Spine Race in January 2025!

We talk about the challenges she’s faced over her recovery, her return to running and her plans for January’s race. Mel talks at length about the women’s Spine recce weekend that saw a large group of talented female runners take on some of the north section of the infamous winter race.

With so many experienced women out there, this years race is going to be dynamite! 🧨

URS