He’s battling stage 4 cancer. But that hasn’t stopped him building the most inclusive ultra in the world.

This week, Gary and Ben sit down with Huw Williams – Welsh event organiser, founder of Beautifully Brutal Events, and the driving force behind the SHE Ultra. Known for his wild storytelling, unapologetic honesty, and community-first ethos, Huw is creating trail races that are about more than just finish times.

From living with a terminal diagnosis to punching a seagull in Venice while eating a sandwich with Liz McColgan, this one has it all. But underneath the laughs is a serious mission: to make trail running safer, more inclusive, and a lifeline for women affected by cancer.

Huw shares how the SHE Ultra came to life, why men aren’t allowed in certain zones, and how his team is training nurses to care for runners at remote checkpoints. We also get a glimpse into his new Portugal event, his plans for a Race Across Wales, and why you won’t find Beautifully Brutal on Facebook.

We talk cancer, community, legacy, logistics, and how a brutally honest approach to life can change everything.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏃 The ethos behind Beautifully Brutal Events

🧠 Living with cancer and using it as fuel

🚫 Why no race credits and no Facebook

👟 How the SHE Ultra is designed around safety, care, and real inclusion

🇵🇹 Launching a Portugal SHE Ultra with on-site childcare

💉 Supporting nurses, survivors, and smaller cancer charities

🎉 The medal ceremony… before the race starts

🏡 Running through his ex-wife’s house (on her birthday)

🥪 The Liz McColgan sandwich + seagull attack story

🧯 Space suits, fireworks, and Coast Guard callouts

🍟 The finish line chip shop and vinegar moment

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever thought trail running needed a shake-up, or wondered how to make events truly inclusive, Huw’s vision will stay with you. This episode is raw, funny, emotional, and a reminder that the most powerful races aren’t about splits — they’re about people.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: Meet Huw Williams

05:10 - Building Beautifully Brutal & supporting local

12:50 - How the SHE Ultra started

20:30 - Living with cancer and giving back

29:45 - Running through his ex’s house & making races personal

37:30 - The Liz McColgan story and Venice chaos

43:55 - SHE Ultra Portugal & protecting community vibes

52:40 - Race Across Wales, Classic 75, and new events

59:15 - Nurses, crèches and survivor support

01:08:00 - Legacy, letting go & no social media

🔗 Follow Beautifully Brutal Events:

Website: https://www.beautifullybrutal.co.uk

Instagram: @beautifully_brutal_events

#HuwWilliams #SHEUltra #BeautifullyBrutal #TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #RunningPodcast #CancerSupport #WomensRunning #RaceAcrossWales #PortugalUltra #LizMcColgan #RUNcensored #InclusiveRunning #CommunityRunning

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