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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 race photography career.

We also address the elephant in the room!
Why don't we see more female race photographers? Is it as simple as underrepresentation, or can the races themselves do more to encourage girls to take up the cameras and get involved!

Listen to find out what she thinks.

HT

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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 watch!
Evan may only be 19 years old, but he has mature head on his shoulders. He's recently taken on a coach to help direct his enthusiastic approach to training and racing. So keep your eyes on this ones progress!

Evan lives and trains in the Lakes and works at the legendary running shop, Pet Bland Sports, where he gets support from Mountain King Poles and is about to sign a contract with a major trail running brand!

Evan is going places and was a joy to interview. 
Watch this space!

HT

@ultrarunning_sam

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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 the line up from this years event and how the speakers, talks and q&a sessions were received.

Doug also talks about some of his favourite funny moments from WSER, including facing up to a bear, Chris Myers snorkel and the epic activations from the brands in attendance.

We look forward to 2026!

HT

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

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Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

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 to plan for a change!

We talk about the route, the food and the beloved Spine family who always do such a great job of looking after us on all of the races, summer or winter!

HT 

@ultrarunning_sam

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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 Western States 100.

We talk about the multiple reasons that the sequel isn't happening this year. We talk about the original film and why it still stands the test of time today.

We talk about how he will ultimately approach filming Unbreakable 2 when the time is right. We talk about the changing scene of ultra running, film making and the advent of social media (for better or worse)

We also talk about his own life since making Unbreakable. We dive into the struggles that he had personally in recent years and how a spiritual awakening during a 100 mile ultra, reignited his own Catholic faith.

JB is a great guy and I know that when Unbreakable 2 comes out, it will be worth the wait!

links below to all things related to JB Benna and Unbreakable!

https://www.journeyfilm.com/buy/unbreakable-bonus-features-complete-digital-box-set/

https://catholicmagazines.org/magazine-archive/high-desert-catholic/ren0221

@ultrarunning_sam

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Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

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 one of the winter Spine podcasts back in January, has set herself up for a busy week at the Spine.

Not only is she racing the Sprint South....but she's also racing the inaugural Sprint North! then she's volunteering for the week too! 

We dive into her recent racing success and how she intends to approach doing the double at this weeks race!

HT

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

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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

@ultrarunning_sam

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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 book shows that women have always been equal to men, if not better when I comes to extended feats of endurance.

The book starts with Jasmin Paris crushing the field at the Spine Race and quite rightly finishes with her record breaking run at Barkley. But this isn't another book about Jasmin, it's a tribute to every woman that has achieved greatness in the face of doubt by their peers!

A great read and highly recommended!

@ultrarunning_sam

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Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

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 share secrets to his success. A must watch/listen for all upcoming British trail runners looking to improve their own running. 

HT

See the link below to free resources from the ETT

https://www.elitetrailteam.com/ett-runclub

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

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Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

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 dive into a conversation about the UK trail and fell running scene. How it differs from anything found in the US and how he now officially loves British trail running. 

I think he basically fell in love with the UK! Who can blame him! 

HT

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

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