The RunAlive Podcast

We've seen Jasmin Paris become the first woman to finish the Barkley Marathons, and Catlin Clark tear up the stats in March Madness in the US the year, where the women's basketball games outsold the mens but there's still a real battle for even coverage and equity between men's and women's sports, particularly in the media despite the success of the Lionesses. The BBC recently published an Elite Sportswomen's Study which was heavily contributed to by our season 1 guest Laura 'Sid' Siddall.

We welcome her back for a quick chat about the state of women's sport, what progress has been made and what could and should be done from here. We talk about coverage, women's health, diversity at the top of the sport, and mental health. If she had a magic wand, what would she do?

We also catch up with her about the impact and incredible recovery from her serious crash at Ironman Brazil and how she went on to go sub 9 at Ironman Kona last year.

Offers and Discounts:

Race Day Prints:

Running any of the big marathons coming up? Get an amazing 15% off your own Race Day Print by clicking this link or by using code runalive15 at checkout.

Hardline Coffee:

Need a coffee top up? You can get a massive 20% off your orders from Hard Lines Coffee - Pods, Beans, Ground and Merch. Hard Lines is a Cafe and Roastery in Cardiff with Running at their heart. Use RUNALIVE20 art www.hard-lines.co.uk

Follow us on Social Media:

We'd love to hear what you think! Please give us a rating or a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, Join the Strava Group and follow us and tag us on twitter, instagram, linkedin, tiktok or send us an email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're thrilled to welcome Marcus Brown, a runner probably most know for his impactful work in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the sport. Marcus shares his journey from a casual runner to completing the six World Marathon Majors and achieving multiple sub-three-hour marathon times, illustrating the transformative power of running in his life.

Marcus delves into the significant role running has played in his personal development, revealing how the discipline, challenges, and community within running have contributed to his growth as a runner and in life beyond running. He discusses the inception and evolution of his podcast, "A Runner's Life," highlighting how it serves as a platform for deep conversations that transcend running, touching on themes of mental health, diversity, and personal growth.

Additionally, Marcus opens up about his late diagnosis of being autistic, a discovery that offered him profound insights into his identity and how he navigates the world. This revelation has not only influenced his approach to running and coaching but also empowered him to advocate for greater awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity within the running community and beyond.

Through his coaching, Marcus is committed to fostering a more inclusive environment in running, aiming to inspire a broader demographic to pursue their running goals, regardless of pace or background. His vision extends to seeing more diverse start lines and finish pens, challenging the stereotypes and barriers that can deter potential runners from embracing the sport.

Join us as Marcus Brown shares his inspiring story, offering valuable lessons on resilience, identity, and the unifying power of running.

Marcus is on instagram: @marcus_runs

Check out his podcast: A runner's life

If you're in Boston - go down and see Marcus for a life podcast recording on Saturday morning at the Expo.

• Race Day Prints: It's marathon season! Commemorate your big day in style with a Race Day Print. Get 15% off a poster of your big race with the code runalive15 or by following this link.
• Hardlines Coffee: Need a coffee top up? You can get a massive 20% off your orders from Hard Lines Coffee - Pods, Beans, Ground and Merch. Hard Lines is a Cafe and Roastery in Cardiff with Running at their heart. Use RUNALIVE20 art www.hard-lines.co.uk

Thank you for tuning into the RunAlive Podcast. If this episode moved you, please subscribe, share with others, and leave us a review. Stay motivated, keep running, and remember, every step you take can lead to a greater impact.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk to Bryn Hassan, the 25-year-old founder of Race Day Prints and an avid trail runner with an inspiring journey from rugby and rowing to conquering ultra marathons and preparing for an Ironman.

Race Day Prints, stems from a personal desire to memorialise the hard work of training and the exhilaration of race days, offering personalised running posters that celebrate individual achievements in races, including all the major marathons. This innovative idea was born from his first ultra marathon experience and has since become a cherished way for runners to remember their journeys and achievements.

Bryn tell us about his impromptu decision to enter a 50km race with just a week's notice, a testament to his adventurous spirit and willingness to dive into challenges headfirst. His story is a reminder of the joy in embracing challenges, the beauty of nature, and the satisfaction of achieving personal goals.

Race Day Prints Discount:

Running any of the big marathons coming up? Get an amazing 15% off your own Race Day Print by clicking this link or by using code runalive15 at checkout.

Don't Forget:

Need a coffee top up? You can get a massive 20% off your orders from Hard Lines Coffee - Pods, Beans, Ground and Merch. Hard Lines is a Cafe and Roastery in Cardiff with Running at their heart. Use RUNALIVE20 art www.hard-lines.co.uk

Follow us on Social Media:

We'd love to hear what you think! Please give us a rating or a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, Join the Strava Group and follow us and tag us on twitter, instagram, linkedin, tiktok or send us an email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the RunAlive Podcast, Ed and Jenny welcome Nick Kershaw, the founder of Impact Marathon, and Bexx Swainson, an accomplished athlete and frequent Impact Marathon participant. Nick shares the inception story of Impact Marathon, highlighting its mission to create running events that serve communities around the world and inspire runners to push beyond their limits. Bexx adds depth to the narrative by recounting her personal experiences in various Impact Marathons, illustrating the transformative power of these events not just for the runners but also for the communities they support.

Impact Marathon’s ethos is to leverage the simple act of running as a formidable force for community development and personal growth. Through stories of marathons in breathtaking locations like Nepal, Guatemala, and Jordan, the episode explores how these events foster deep connections among runners and locals, leading to lasting impact well beyond the race finish line. Whether it’s turning on a tap for the first time in a Nepali village or joining a Women’s Day march in Guatemala, the tales shared in this episode highlight the unique blend of adventure, athleticism, and altruism that defines the Impact Marathon experience.

As Nick delves into the logistical and emotional challenges of organizing these races, and Bexx reflects on the profound personal insights gained from participating, you’ll be inspired by the power of running as a universal language that transcends borders and builds bridges. This episode is not just for runners but for anyone interested in how sports can play a crucial role in driving social change and fostering community spirit across the globe.

• Impact Marathon: Website
• Nick Kershaw on Instagram: @NJKershaw
• Bexx on Instagram: @RebeccaSwainsonAthlete

If you're inspired by the idea of running for a cause and making a global impact, consider joining an Impact Marathon. Learn more about upcoming races and how you can be a part of this extraordinary community by visiting the Impact Marathon website. Don't forget to follow our guests on Instagram to keep up with their latest adventures and initiatives.

• Hardlines Coffee: Need a coffee top up? You can get a massive 20% off your orders from Hard Lines Coffee - Pods, Beans, Ground and Merch. Hard Lines is a Cafe and Roastery in Cardiff with Running at their heart. Use RUNALIVE20 art www.hard-lines.co.uk
• Race Day Prints: It's marathon season! Commemorate your big day in style with a Race Day Print. Get 15% off a poster of your big race with the code runalive15 or by following this link.

Thank you for tuning into the RunAlive Podcast. If this episode moved you, please subscribe, share with fellow running enthusiasts, and leave us a review. Stay motivated, keep running, and remember, every step you take can lead to a greater impact.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed sits down with Andy Anstey, the Head of Business Development at England Athletics, to explore the intersection of passion, sustainability, and innovation within the realm of athletics.

Andy shares his personal journey from coaching his daughter's football team to witnessing his son surpass him in running, embodying the joy and fulfilment derived from sharing his twin passions for running and football. In his proffesional life he has strategic oversight for sustainability at England Athletics and shares some of the innovative steps being taken to commercialise sustainability in the sport.

The conversation delves into the importance of resilience, both in personal endeavors and professional pursuits, with Andy recounting his recent triumph in breaking a personal parkrun time record, a feat that mirrors the persistence required in the face of professional challenges.

He also discusses the crucial role of advocacy and community engagement in promoting sustainability within the sport, emphasising the significance of collective action over individual accomplishments. This episode is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the impact of collaborative efforts towards a more sustainable future in athletics.

Dont Forget:

Need a coffee top up? You can get a massive 20% off your orders from Hard Lines Coffee - Pods, Beans, Ground and Merch. Hard Lines is a Cafe and Roastery in Cardiff with Running at their heart. Use RUNALIVE20 art www.hard-lines.co.uk

Follow us on Social Media:

We'd love to hear what you think! Please give us a rating or a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, Join the Strava Group and follow us and tag us on twitter, instagram, linkedin, tiktok or send us an email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re delving into the world of 17-year old middle-distance runner and climate activist Innes Fitzgerald. She tells us about re-finding her love for running in secondary school and how it gave her the confidence to recognise that she’s a little different, and has grown up differently from others, but that’s ok.

Innes shares about the huge decision she made last year to prioritise environmental concerns over a coveted spot on the World Cross-Country Team, navigating the media storm that followed, and ultimately being recognised with the prestigious BBC Young Green Sports Award.

Innes inspires us talking about how she wants to portray Eliud Kipchoge’s famous saying "No Human is Limited" for female athletes, and inspire other young women to get into the sport.

And at such a tender age in the sport, Innes opens up about the challenges she faces such as age restrictions and academic commitments alongside her ambitions for the future.

Innes is on instagram: @innesfitzgerald

Dont Forget:

Need a coffee top up? You can get a massive 20% off your orders from Hard Lines Coffee - Pods, Beans, Ground and Merch. Hard Lines is a Cafe and Roastery in Cardiff with Running at their heart. Use RUNALIVE20 art www.hard-lines.co.uk

Go Do:

Do you know a young person in your life that you could talk with or encourage over the next week? Why not drop them a positive message or arrange to catch up. Or maybe sharing this week’s podcast could be just the boost they need right now.

We'd love to hear what you came up with! Please give us a rating or a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, Join the Strava Group and follow us and tag us on twitter, instagram, linkedin, tiktok or send us an email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re chatting with the guys from The Hard Lines Coffee and RunClub, born during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as a way of getting people back outside and socialising again after months of lockdowns Hard Lines are based in Cardiff.

The club sprang out of the coffee shop and has a goal to create a safe space where people of all abilities can run, relax and make connections with others in their local community. They have particularly put in place a plans and a framework to help women feel safe while running at night. They also happen to roast and sell great coffee!

Get your Hands on some Hard Lines Coffee with a Discount!

We (especially Jenny) love Hard Lines coffee! Their coffee has won taste awards, and you can get 20% off some using our special discount code RUNALIVE20. They have pods, beans and tons of fun merch too. Just go to hard-lines.co.uk and use our code at checkout.

Follow us on Social Media:

We'd love to hear what you think! Please give us a rating or a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, Join the Strava Group and follow us and tag us on twitter, instagram, linkedin, tiktok or send us an email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Freeman, editor and co-founder of popular running magazine Like the Wind, joins us this week to talk about storytelling, running and his love for books and the analogue that led him to create and launch a print magazine at a time where people were saying print was dead and digital media was taking over.

We discuss what it was like to launch a magazine as a publishing novice, focused on the stories behind running and the meaning that running has to so many of us. We talk about what it took to launch that first issue, and how it’s grown over the last 10 years.

Simon shares candidly about the infertility struggles he and his wife experienced and the knock-on effects of this difficult time on his running. Listen in as Simon reflects on the significance of consistent effort and accountability in both running and business.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about running, storytelling, and the enduring pursuit of personal and professional growth.

Check out Like the Wind: www.likethewindmagazine.com/

Like the Wind on instagram: @likethewindmag

Simon on instagram: @simonbfreeman

We're on Strava! Enjoying the Podcast? - Join our new Strava club, and connect with other listeners, and get early access to special offers and bonus content!

Follow us on social media:

You can drop us a DM, send us a picture or tag us on instagram, linkedin or twitter or tiktok or send us an email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first of our new season’s RunAlive Intervals. In these compact episodes, every tuesday we’re checking in with people who have inspiring stories or are making a difference in the world of running.

This week we chat with Rick Jenner, CEO of ParkPlay, a multi-generational community initiative providing free, inclusive games in a park or public space every Saturday morning. By bringing local groups together to enjoy connecting with each other, ParkPlay is all about building healthier and happier communities through the power of play.

To find out more about ParkPlay or track down your nearest location, head to their website.

Follow us and tag us on twitter, instagram, linkedin, tiktok or send us an email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back for Season 3! And this week we sit down with Nicky Spinks, fell runner extraordinaire as she shares her journey from road running to fell running and setting the women’s records for the iconic major fell running challenges the Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley, and Ramsey rounds.

Nicky gives us insights into how she tackles ultra marathons and her enjoyment of seeing more women joining the sport. She speaks with candour about going through breast cancer and how running remained a lifeline for her during diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Nicky’s insights offer valuable lessons not only for runners, but for anyone striving to overcome obstacles and pursue their passions with resilience and determination. You only have one life: live it.

We're on Strava! Enjoying the Podcast? - Join our new Strava club, and connect with other listeners, and get early access to special offers and bonus content!

Follow us on social media:

You can drop us a DM, send us a picture or tag us on instagram, linkedin or twitter or tiktok or send us an email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.