In Vienna, on October 12, 2019, Kenyan distance runner and decorated Olympian, Eliud Kipchoge, set out to become the first person to run a marathon in under two hours — a challenge deemed impossible by many experts in the world of science.New episode every MondayStoryCast'21: Using the timeframe of the last 21-years, Sky News returns to some of this century's biggest news stories, using the focus of extraordinary personal stories, defined by these events. Marathon Man was written and produced by Rob MulhernResearch and digital treatment by Tom GillespieSpecial thanks to our contributors, Eluid Kipchoge, Valentijn Trouw, Endy Brady and IneosArchive, Simon WindsorRecordings and sound design, Rob MulhernTV treatment, Victoria Hudson-GrantTV output editor, Emily DeekerHead of Radio, Sky News, Dave TerrisDesign and graphics, Brian GillinghamSocial media, Chris ScottPress and Marketing, Alexandra HortonEmail: storycast@sky.ukFor more on this story visit www.skynews/storycast21#StoryCast21

StoryCast '21: EP3/21 Marathon Man

At the height of lockdown, 19-year-old Ellie Williams claims on social media she’s been trafficked by an Asian grooming gang across the North of England. Photos of her horrific injuries add to the outrage and the post goes viral – shared more than 100 thousand times.Social media rumours lead to attacks on Asian men and businesses in her hometown of Barrow-in-Furness. But when she’s arrested for perverting the course of justice, things really explode and there are protest rallies and claims of a cover-up. At the trial the prosecution claims she’d lied, faked text messages and even caused the catalogue of injuries to herself.   In season 6 of StoryCast, Sky News’ Jason Farrell and Liz Lane, who reported on the case at the time, return to Barrow to investigate what could have led her to make these claims and if, underneath it all, there is some other secret buried amongst the lies.With access to her family, police investigators and those most impacted by her allegations, we ask: Why did Ellie Williams create such an elaborate lie? And what happened AFTER the trial – once all the media attention died down and other allegations began to emerge? For more investigative stories from the award-winning Sky News StoryCast strand, listen to our past seasons.   SEASON 5: Patient 11 (2024) Following the death of her brother, young mother Alexis Quinn seeks temporary respite in NHS psychiatric care, never imagining that three days, would turn into more than three year ordeal that would ultimately expose a national scandal.  SEASON 4: StoryCast 21 (2021) Through extraordinary personal stories, Sky News revisits 21 of the world’s biggest news events this century.   SEASON 3: Polonium and The Piano Player (2020) Two Russian agents release a miniature nuclear weapon in a 5-star London hotel. But former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko is not the only victim.   SEASON 2: What happened to Annie? (2019)  In 2005, the body of 30-year-old Swedish woman, Annie Börjesson, was found on Prestwick beach in Scotland. Could one of the world’s most secretive security agencies be behind her death?  SEASON 1: The Hunt for the Brinks-Mat Gold (2018) In 1983, an armed gang stole £26m in gold bars from a high-security depot near Heathrow Airport. Dubbed the crime of the century, the heist changed the face of Britain’s criminal landscape and the life of one undercover Scotland Yard detective.  

True crime

Police material is released, taking us to the moments they discover her battered at her flat and the night before her infamous post. They also reveal her reaction when accused of lying. Meanwhile Liz and Jason are given a psychiatric report charting medical records and interviews which reveal more on Ellie’s background and state of mind. And, finally, Liz hears from the young woman at the centre of it all - directly from prison.    Warning: This series discusses issues of sexual abuse, self-harm, violence and suicide From Sky News Storycast, Unreliable Witness is presented by Jason Farrell and Liz Lane.Series Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock Executive Producer: Louise Cotton Sound Design: Matt Wareham Additional Journalism: Sarah O’Connell Sky Podcasts Editor: Paul Stanworth

Unreliable Witness 6: Eleanor Williams – Inside

It’s revealed Mohammed Ramzan has been facing allegations other than from Ellie Williams. Liz and Jason meet ‘Sarah’ - who says she was groomed as a child in Hull and accuses Mo of being involved in the gang responsible. He claims something more sinister is at play. But his anger at the situation sees him back in court – in the dock.   Warning: This series discusses issues of sexual abuse, self-harm, violence and suicide  From Sky News Storycast, Unreliable Witness is presented by Jason Farrell and Liz Lane   Series Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock Executive Producer: Louise Cotton Sound Design: Matt Wareham Additional Journalism: Sarah O’Connell Sky Podcasts Editor: Paul Stanworth

Unreliable Witness 5: I’m Coming for You

Ellie has been sentenced to 8 and a half years in prison but questions have been raised about what evidence was presented and left out in court. One potential witness who wasn’t called on says she could have supported parts of Ellie’s story. Liz and Jason ask why Williams wasn’t prosecuted in relation to the other men she had accused.   Warning: This series discusses issues of sexual abuse, self-harm, violence and suicide  From Sky News Storycast, Unreliable Witness is presented by Jason Farrell and Liz Lane   Series Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock Executive Producer: Louise Cotton Sound Design: Matt Wareham Additional Journalism: Sarah O’Connell Sky Podcasts Editor: Paul Stanworth

Unreliable Witness 4: The Witness Who Went Home

After Covid delays, the trial is finally held and Ellie Williams is in the dock. Liz and Jason were among the reporters at court when the extent of her claims were revealed for the first time, shocking the media and public alike. She’s accused of perverting the course of justice against 5 men, including 4 who are white – of lying to police and falsifying evidence to back up her claims, including causing the horrific injuries to herself. Liz and Jason share some of the shocking twists and revelations of the 11-week trial and what Ellie has to say in her defence.   Warning: This series discusses issues of sexual abuse, self-harm, violence and suicide.  From Sky News Storycast, Unreliable Witness is presented by Jason Farrell and Liz Lane   Series Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock Executive Producer: Louise Cotton Sound Design: Matt Wareham Additional Journalism: Sarah O’Connell Sky Podcasts Editor: Paul Stanworth

Unreliable Witness 3: I’m not a Psychopath

The fuse has been lit...and with limited information from police or in the news, social media speculation starts fingers pointing. Barrow is about to hit boiling point. Asian businesses are attacked.  Individuals are targeted. Meanwhile local businessman Mohammed Ramzan is arrested – suspected of being a central figure in the grooming gang. But a senior detective coming onto the case starts to find holes in the account police have been told.   Warning: This series discusses issues of sexual abuse, self-harm, violence and suicide  From Sky News Storycast, Unreliable Witness is presented by Jason Farrell and Liz Lane   Series Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock Executive Producer: Louise Cotton Sound Design: Matt Wareham Additional Journalism: Sarah O’Connell Sky Podcasts Editor: Paul Stanworth

StoryCast '21: EP3/21 Marathon Man

Download our free app to listen on your phone