The Inspirational Runner Podcast

We have Dave Proctor with us this week, if you don’t already know Dave why not check out episode #98 where we dive into the backyard ultra.

Almost three years later we are touching base again, this time to discuss the trials and tribulations of breaking the land speed record of running the 7,159km across Canada.

Starting in Newfoundland and ending in British Columbia, it took just over two months for Dave to break Al Howie's long standing speed record of 72 days 10hrs.

In just 67 days 10hrs, with an average of 105 - 106km a day, with a consistent daily finishing time of around 10 – 11hrs, this has to be one of the most outstanding ultrarunning achievements of our era.

Dave doesn’t disappoint as he shares his methods of dealing with the pain, fueling strategies, the highs during the challenge and lows that follow.

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After a computer crash I thought I had lost this episode which was recorded in Feb of this year, so much has changed in the ultra running world since then with Backyard records being crushed, another fun year at the Barkley and numerous 100m, 100k & 50k records being broken.

That means we are back in full swing and I was delighted to find the 'lost episode' with Harvey Lewis who is the man that just doesn't stop running, he has numerous podiums to his name, including winner of the iconic Badwater, winner of the Backyard championship and former record holder, Barkley Marathon competitor, the list goes on, and on, and on...an amazing ultra runner who has fueled numerous podiums on a plant based diet.

A month has passed since we set foot in frozen head, and I can’t believe that I’m only getting this episode released that aside I’m super excited to introduce you to Kristi Pashia who was the first person in the Barkley Fall Classic to cross the finish line in the 50k and still manage to DNF.

We follow Kristi’s interview with Brian Mueller who was the last person to finish the 50k in a crazy time of 13hr 19min 48 seconds, both runners made the decision point in 11hrs 17min with seconds between them and Kristi completed the last loop seconds ahead of Brian which shows that there really is a fine line between success and failure at the Barkley Fall Classic.

I can’t believe we have been off air for over six months, super excited to have the show back and we have some amazing guests lined up to keep you motivated.

None more amazing than this week's guest Andrea Larson who became the first female to podium in the Barkley Fall Classic this year, retaining her title from the 2021 event.

Andrea is fast becoming one of the best female ultrarunners on the circuit, having won the first back yard that she entered with an incredible 162 miles, which added to her 100 miler podiums in 2021. 

She has a strong background in adventure racing and is an extremely focused runner who puts the effort behind the performances, let's hope Laz gifts her the opportunity that she so desires.

I recorded this episode with James two days after he completed the very first Winter Wainwrights Round which entails 325 miles across the 214 Wainwright Peaks which has a mind blowing 36,000 metres of ascent.

He was met with snow swept hills and strong winds, the severe winter conditions made this an even bigger achievement for James and his crew.

And if that wasn't enough as I release this episode James is back out tackling the same course only months after his winter round, and is currently smashing it so I thought I'd better get this episode released before he finishes the round for a second time.

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We have a great episode for you this week with local lad 'Ireland' Graeme Black who finally gets to realise a dream as he takes part in the 2022 Barkley Marathon.

Graeme is no stranger to the Frozen Head Park in Tennessee as he’d raced there in the Barkley Fall Classic however this time he returns to compete along side some of the worlds most inform Ultra Runners in the main Barkley Marathon event.

I’m not going to introduce the race as I’m guessing you all know it by now, but if not check out the race that eats its young on Youtube where you’ll find some great footage on the race and more importantly race director Lazarus Lake.

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Yesterday I had the pleasure of breaking down the latest Backyard event with the winner of the 2022 Castle Ward back yard Keith Russel who was taken to 37 loops by up and coming ultra runner Cathal McParland.

Click here to find out more information on the Art O'Neill Challenge

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A super Art O’Neill special this week featuring Ellen Vitting who was first lady home in the Art O'Neill Challenge in a great time of 7:05:18 just a couple of minutes ahead of second place, and Alastair Higgins who won the overal race in a pretty incredible time of 5:53:33.

For those who haven’t heard of The Art O'Neill Challenge it is a unique event, organised by, and solely for the benefit of, Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. Its 60km route retraces the historic escape from Dublin Castle that happened on January 6th, 1592. That night, Art O'Neill, his brother Henry, and Red Hugh O'Donnell broke out of the Castle and made for Glenmalure, to safety. On a freezing night the three made their way on foot and without the benefit of winter coats, having had to leave them in their cells. Henry and Hugh both made it to safety but sadly Art, for whom the Challenge is named, succumbed to hypothermia along the way.

This win adds to a long line of great results for both Athletes Ellen won the 2021 National Adventure Race Series in Ireland and has a second place finish the Excel Sports Seven Sisters Ultra Race, and Alastair has an incredible 4th place finish in Spartathlon.

Click here to find out more information on the Art O'Neill Challenge

Click here to enter the Excel Sports Seven Sisters Race

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It’s been a couple of weeks since the last episode was released but the wait was worth it as we have a 2hr feature with the round machine himself Ross Jenkin, who earlier this year completed all four of the UKs infamous Mountain Rounds within the same week.

The well known English Bob Graham, The Welsh Paddy Buckley, The Scottish Charlie Ramsay and our local N.Ireland Round The Denis Rankin.

The challenge involved 152 summits, with 387km (240 miles) of challenging terrain with 31,800m (104,331ft) of ascent, and Ross amazingly completed the four @ forty challenge in less than 7 days which it quite astounding numbers add to the show notes if you’d like to take a look.

Ross who has been a beacon of light for those struggling with mental health and depression completed the challenge for CALM  (Campaign Against Living Miserably), I’ve added a link in the show notes if anyone would like to donate for this increasingly important charity.

Click here to donate to CALM Ross Jenkin Fundraiser

Click here to enter the Seven Sisters Skyline Discount Code INSPIRE10

This week we have a local club runner who I have been watching with almost misbelief over the last couple of years as he has gone from strength to strength.

Gareth King from Tandragee County Armagh who back in Aug this year not only become the National 100km champion, but he smashed the Northern Ireland record by 22 minutes in time of 7:12:30 seconds which was 6:49 pace.

Gareth has only been into the ultra scene over the last few years starting his Marathon Journey I believe in 2010 where he ran an impressive 3:34 first marathon, like many his first venture was for a local charity the Royal Belfast Hospital for sick Children who support Gareth’s son after he underwent special surgery for a serious birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Little did Gareth now that was the start of a journey which would be lead him to breaking the Northern Ireland 100km record.

Park Run - 15:53

10k - 36:19

Half - 80:20

Marathon - 2:33:35

50k - 3:01:48

100k - 7:12:30

Links to some epic adventures!!

Seven Sisters Skyline Excel Sports: https://excelsports.events/event/seven-sisters-skyline/