Katie, Sean, Dave and Cal speak to a man with many accolades;

▪ a Gold Medallist in the 1500m at the 2022 World Championships,

▪ a Silver Medallist in the 800m at the 2022 European Championships,

▪ Bronze Medallist in the 1500m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games,

▪ British Senior Outdoor Champion in the 1500m.

▪ 800 metres: 1:43.65 (Brussels, 2022) – Scottish record,

▪ 1000 metres: 2:13.88 (Monaco, 2022) – Scottish record,

▪ Mile: 3:50.30 (Oslo, 2022) – Scottish record,

▪ 3000 metres indoor: 7:37.81 (New York City, 2022),

▪ 5k road: 13:52 (Leicester, 2024).

Despite recent injury setbacks, including a calf injury that jeopardised his participation in the Paris Olympics, Jake Wightman remains a prominent figure in middle-distance running, known for his resilience and competitive spirit. Jake talks to the team about how he got into running, how much of an influence his parents were then as well as now, how competitive he is (including a funny story about his brother), and what it was like growing up running a such a high level. Jake also discusses how being a professional athlete does have its downsides and how he was able to compromise with his social life in University in Loughborough. While he was at university, Jake tells of how his dad coached him from afar but also how he was able to include himself in other coaches session at Loughborough. We couldn't get Jake on without talking about his most successful year to date, 2022! He tells us how he prepared for the world championships, and talks us through that iconic race. Moving to Manchester, he lets us know why Manchester was his city of choice as well as the recent news of him and his dad parting ways from a coach / athlete relationship. Jake then tells us who his new coach is...

We couldn't allow Jake to come on and not tell us about what food he celebrates with but also what his diet looks like in training and on the week leading up to a big race. Jake gives us his goals for this year and beyond, but also lets us know what he will do when he hangs up his spikes.

The team review the last 4 and a half years of recording Local Runners Podcast. With it only being a week since we last recorded Sean tells us about his big marathon session but also about his reflection of how Wilmslow went, Katie talks about planning her taper, Cal is focusing on 5k sessions, and Dave tells us about his ankle injury but he still nailed the Northern Road Relays for his club.

This episode is collaboration with Kat’s Kitchen. Kat’s Kitchen is helping us celebrate our 100th episode Based in Dane Bank, Denton. Kat has been baking all her life, starting off in the kitchen with her mum as a child and has been trading as a business for nearly 7 years now. Kat makes cakes for all of life’s landmark occasions, but specialises in Wedding Cakes, making all her own sugar flowers to decorate the cakes.