Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

Damo returns to the Home Trails podcast.

Damian is probably the guest with the highest number of appearances on the podcast, but we're always happy to talk to him. Especially when he's smashing races like the Montane Lakeland 100!
Damo admits that his goal was to go under 20 hours regardless of his position. But we all know that his race went to plan and he took the victory. Something that his old self from back in 2014 who did the 50 miler, didn't think was possible.

We talk about what he's doing health wise to keep at the top of his game.
We talk about his new sponsor - NNormal and how they're changing the face of trail running for the better.
Finally, we talk about 'that race on the Pennine Way' and we hear about a possible showdown between him and his old nemesis - Jack Scott!

We also talk about his work with Intoultra, the charity that provides support to disadvantaged runners getting into our beloved sport. See the links below 👇 

https://intoultra.org.uk/

https://prelovedsports.org.uk/

https://kitsquad.co.uk/


Listen/watch to find out more!

HT

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

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Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

Friend of the show Charlotte returns to talk about Lakeland 100.

Charlotte continues her cracking year by storming to a well deserved 2nd place and 10th overall In the classic Lake District event.

We catch up on how her race went and what the podium means for her chances of being picked up by a major sponsor! We talk about how she is leaving her influencer career behind her to concentrate on her running. How having a big social presence is helping her get noticed as an athlete and how she manages to leverage her status to get booked for shoots at fancy spa hotels! Which is always welcome after a big event like Lakeland.

We talk about the interest from HOKA and her upcoming shoot for the Mafate X on her Home Trails of The Isle of Wight, and I vent my frustrations about the fact that Charlotte hasn't yet been snapped up by the brand!

Charlotte is always a welcome guest and I'm sure she will get the support she truly deserves!

HT

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

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Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

In this weeks podcast I speak to PT and co-author of the legendary book “Fixing Your Feet” 

If you don’t know about this book, you either haven’t been in ultrarunning long enough or you haven’t done any of the races that need the knowledge that this book provides! 

If you’ve ever had issues with your feet in long events, then this book and now this podcast episode is essential reading/listening to prepare. Tonya talks about her route into physical therapy and ultramarathons and how the two worlds combined in her love of feet! No no, she really does love feet! She talks about how she uses her skills to help hundreds of runners at events across the US. Especially with her work at Michigan Bluff at WSER. I take this opportunity to ask Tonya as many questions as I can about this subject, in the hopes of gleaning as much useful information as I can for all of you listeners.

This episode can hopefully be an evergreen one that keeps providing valuable insights for years to come. So please share this with anyone who’s had to suffer to the finish line in any race, regardless of the distance. 

Get the book here ⬇️

https://amzn.eu/d/gORP96e

HT

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

http://www.youtube.com/@ultrarunningsam

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

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

@ultrarunning_sam

@hometrails_

http://www.youtube.com/@ultrarunningsam

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

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

@hometrails_

http://www.youtube.com/@ultrarunningsam

Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

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_

http://www.youtube.com/@ultrarunningsam

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

@hometrails_

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Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

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

@hometrails_

http://www.youtube.com/@ultrarunningsam

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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Get in touch with Ultrarunning Sam here ⬅️

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

@hometrails_

http://www.youtube.com/@ultrarunningsam