The Trail Chasers

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“You don’t have to know the whole route. You just need to take the first step.”

What if chasing distance wasn’t just about going further—but about finding freedom, learning what you’re made of, and getting wonderfully, beautifully lost along the way?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Zane Schmahl—trail race director, adventure racer, and co-founder of the legendary MUT (Mountain Ultra-Trail) in George. From running his first Otter to directing Africa’s only UTMB World Series race, Zane shares what it takes to move from your first short race into longer, more remote, and more meaningful challenges. This one’s all about discovery—of new trails, bigger goals, and yourself.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why showing up undercooked might cost you—but sometimes teaches you more 💥
✅ How to find new trails and build your sense of direction as a beginner 🧭
✅ What to pack (and what to always carry, just in case) 🎒
✅ How MUT went from a 60km dream to a global-stage race with runners from 45+ countries 🌍
✅ The real reason preparation matters—and what gear mistakes to avoid in your first long run ⚠️
✅ How trail running can evolve from sport to lifestyle to full-blown life mission 🚀

🥾 Got a story of your first long run—whether you flew, flopped, or found something unexpected?
 DM us or tag @trailchaserspod. We love hearing how your trail got longer.

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦
 Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order.

📩 If this episode hit home, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone eyeing their first ultra—because it’s time to go the distance.

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“You don’t need to win it. You just need to learn from it.”

What if your first trail race wasn’t just a run—but a rite of passage? A place to learn, get it wrong, laugh at yourself, and fall in love with the trails?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Owen Middleton—founder of the iconic Trail Series® and the man who introduced thousands to their first-ever trail race. With nearly two decades of experience as a race director and route pioneer, Owen shares why your first race matters more than your pace—and how paying your “school fees” early shapes everything that follows.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why your first trail race is less about racing and more about discovery 🧭
✅ How Owen’s Trail Series became a gateway for everyday runners to fall in love with the sport 🏃‍♀️
✅ What common first-time mistakes to embrace (yes, including packing too much!) 🎒
✅ Why every route tells a story—and how learning to read the landscape can shift your mindset 🗺️
✅ How to prep for your first event without overthinking, overtraining, or overspending 💡
✅ Why showing up—even slightly underprepared—is sometimes the best way to grow 💥

 🥾 Ready to share your first race story?
 Drop the name of your first trail race below or DM us @trailchaserspod—whether you got hooked, humbled, or hilariously lost, we want to hear how it all began! 

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦
Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order!

📩 Loved this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and tag someone who's prepping for their first trail race—because their story starts here.

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"It's a coming together of friends, people who you feel like family." ​

Ever wondered how volunteering, vibes, and views come together to turn Ultra Trail Cape Town and Ultra Trail Drakensberg into unmissable community celebrations?

In this bonus episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Sue Ullyett—the event manager behind both UTCT and UTD. Sue shares how a chance coffee chat grew into a decade-strong core team, and how their passion for inclusivity transforms volunteers, spectators, and runners into one big trail family.

 What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why volunteers at UTCT and UTD “feel like family” and what keeps them coming back ​ 🤗 
✅ How a chance coffee chat turned into a decade-strong core team building iconic trail events.  ☕️ 
✅ The secret behind crafting a race village that invites runners, crew, and locals to celebrate together under one finish-line canopy ​ 🎪 
✅ What role aid station captains and local communities play behind the scenes—from route marking to create iconic mini-communities with local flavour at each aid station  🌙 
✅ Why even injured athletes volunteer—giving up their race entry to support the next generation of trail runners ​ ❤️ 
✅  Why volunteering at UTCT or UTD is the best way to join the trail community  🤝 

🥾 Ready to join the community? Share your own volunteer stories, favorite race-village memories, or dream aid-station treats below or DM us @trailchaserspod—we’d love to hear how community shows up for you!

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦 Visit gilnoki.com and use the code TRAILCHASERS at checkout for 20% off your first order!

📩 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tag a volunteer hero in your review—let’s keep the vibes alive, one trail at a time!

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🏃‍♀️ "Changing or impacting a life is really a long game. It's a commitment to walking alongside people and investing long-term." 

Have you ever considered the profound impact that trail running can have beyond physical fitness?

In this special bonus episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Lindi Meyer—the visionary behind LIV2run, a movement that's redefining lives through the simple act of trail running. Lindi shares how her personal passion for running and people converged to create a powerful community offering hope, opportunity, and a sense of belonging for the youth of the LIV Village and surrounding communities.

🎙 What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ How passion and purpose can transform a simple jog into a life-changing community initiative 🌍
✅ More about Lindi's incredible journey and her impactful work with LIV2run 🏃‍♀️
✅ The inspiring story of athlete-coach Sinovuyo Ngcobo and the impact of mentorship 🥇 
✅ Why trail running offers more than just physical benefits—it's about courage, connection, and changing futures 🌟 
✅ The real challenges and successes behind pioneering a transformative NGO 💪 
✅ Lindi's insights on purpose-driven leadership and overcoming obstacles 🌱

Whether you're inspired by transformative journeys, community building, or the incredible impact running can have, this episode will remind you why the trails are more than just paths—they’re life-changing.

🥾 Join the conversation! Have you experienced the transformative power of running?
Drop your thoughts, stories, or questions in the comments—we'd love to hear from you!

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦
Visit gilnoki.com and use the code TRAILCHASERS at checkout for 20% off your first order!

📩 Subscribe, review, and share this inspiring episode with your fellow runners—let's continue to uplift each other and run with purpose!

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 🍌 "The secret isn't just training and running. It's all about your nutrition. What to eat before, during, and after a run can make or break your running experience."​

Ever felt completely drained halfway through your run or battled gut issues that ruin your experience? You're not alone!

In this episode of Trail Chasers, Jenna Bowes—a trail runner, registered dietitian, and expert in endurance sports nutrition—returns to the show to demystify trail running nutrition for beginners. With a practical approach backed by science, Jenna guides us through the essentials of fueling your body before, during, and after your run.

🎙 What you’ll learn in this episode:

✅ What to eat (and when) to power your runs without crashing 🍏 
✅ How to manage hydration effectively, especially in changing weather 💧 
✅ The truth about sports nutrition and how to choose what's best for you 🍯
✅ Simple strategies to avoid common beginner nutrition mistakes 🥨 
✅ Why recovery nutrition is just as important as pre-run fuel 🥛

Whether you're preparing for your first trail race or simply aiming for more energy on your runs, Jenna’s expert insights will help you hit the trails feeling stronger, healthier, and smarter.

🥾 Tell us about your trail nutrition journey! Have you nailed your nutrition, or are you still figuring it out? Drop your experiences, tips, or questions in the comments—we'd love to hear from you!

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦 Visit gilnoki.com and use the code TRAILCHASERS at checkout for 20% off your first order!

📩 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow runners—let's conquer the trails together, fueled and ready!

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 👟 "Running shoes are exactly the same as jeans. Different brands have different shapes."

Choosing your first pair of trail shoes can feel like entering a foreign language class—foot shapes, pronation, stacks, drops... where do you even start?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Jono Rumbelow, run biomechanics specialist and shoe-fitting expert at RUN Specialist Store, to help beginners cut through the noise and find the perfect fit—without the overwhelm.

Jono shares his journey from competitive runner to international biomechanics trainer and brings decades of experience to a conversation packed with practical advice. From busting common shoe myths to explaining how your foot shape, history, and running goals matter—this episode is your beginner’s guide to trail shoes that actually work for you.

🎙 What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ How to choose the right trail shoes for your body and goals 👣
✅ Why foot shape and past injuries matter more than brand names 🦶
✅ What to expect during a proper shoe fitting (and what most stores skip!) 🛍️
✅ The difference between road and trail shoes (and why it matters) 🥾
✅ How to tell when your shoes are worn out—before your body is 💥

👟 Tell us about your trail running shoe experience!
What’s worked, what hasn’t, and what did you wish you knew when you bought your first pair?

💬 Got questions about trail shoes? Drop them in the comments or send us a DM—we'll make sure Jono sees them!

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦
Visit gilnoki.com and use the code TRAILCHASERS at checkout for 20% off your first order! 🎉

📩 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and  Let’s help each other hit the trails with comfort and confidence. 🏃‍♀️🧦

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 🏃‍♂️ "Forget performance and enjoy it. Run with mates, explore new routes. Don’t look at your watch—spend more time looking up than looking down."

Starting trail running can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Erin van Eyssen, seasoned coach and founder of Flat Rock Endurance, to break down the best way to get started—without burnout, stress, or unnecessary complications. 

Erin shares his journey from discovering running in his 20s to becoming a coach, guiding athletes of all levels to train smarter and enjoy the process. He breaks down how to start trail running without burnout, the most common beginner mistakes, and why keeping it simple is the key to long-term success.

🎙 What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ The smartest way to start trail running—without feeling overwhelmed 🏃‍♂️
✅ Why consistency matters more than speed or distance 📅
✅ The biggest beginner mistakes (and how to avoid them!) ⚠️
✅ How to balance running, strength training, and recovery 💪
✅ The mindset shift that makes trail running more fun & sustainable 🌿

 💬 Join the conversation! Share your trail running journey and connect with us on Instagram @trailchaserspod—we’d love to hear your story! 🏃‍♂️🌿 

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnockie Socks 🧦
Visit gilnocki.com and use the code TRAILCHASERS at checkout for 20% off your first order! 🎉

📩 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and let’s hit the trails together! 🎙 

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🏃‍♂️ "I never thought a running group would change my life—but it did."

In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Mike Obery to talk about the power of community in trail running. Mike shares how finding a running group not only helped him become a better runner but also introduced him to a supportive, inspiring community that made every trail run more fun and meaningful.

From feeling uncertain about joining a group to discovering the friendships, motivation, and shared adventures that come with it, Mike opens up about the impact of running with others—and why finding your community can make all the difference. Whether you're just starting or looking to connect with fellow trail runners, this episode will show you why you don’t have to go it alone.

🔥 What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why running groups can be the best way to start trail running 🤝
✅ How community helps beginners build confidence & stay consistent 🏃‍♂️
✅ Overcoming fears of joining a new group & finding the right fit 😅
✅ The unexpected benefits of running with others—beyond fitness 🚀
✅ Tips for getting involved in your local trail running community 🌍

💬 Join the conversation! Share your experience with trail running groups on Instagram @trailchaserspod 

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦
Visit gilnokie.com and use the code TRAILCHASERS at checkout for 20% off your first order! 🎉

📩 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and invite a friend to hit the trails with you! 🎙

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"I could bench press over 100kgs, but I couldn’t walk 5KMs." 🤯

In this special solo episode of Trail Chasers, Dean takes the mic alone for the first time to share his personal journey—how a passion for communication led him from university radio 🎙️ to the world of podcasting, and how trail running 🏔️ completely transformed his life.

From lifting heavy in the gym 💪 to struggling through his first run 😅, Dean opens up about the pivotal moments that changed everything—his struggles, breakthroughs, and why the trails became his true home. Plus, he shares what’s next for Trail Chasers—a podcast built to inspire, educate, and ignite your passion for trail running! 🚀

If you're looking for motivation to take that first step onto the trails, this episode is for YOU! 🔥

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ How a love for radio & storytelling led Dean to podcasting 🎙️
✅ The unexpected moment that changed his perspective on health & fitness 🤯
✅ How COVID turned into the push he needed to start running 🦠➡️🏃‍♂️
✅ The struggle of road running & why the trails felt like home 🌿
✅ The mission behind Trail Chasers & what’s coming next! 🚀

💬 Join the conversation! Share your trail running journey on Instagram @trailchaserspod or reach out to Dean personally @deanhorwitz_—let’s grow this amazing community together! 🌍🏃‍♂️

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnockie Socks 🧦
Visit gilnocki.com and use the code TRAILCHASES at checkout for 20% off your first order! 🎉

📩 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and let’s chase trails together! 🎙 

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What if I told you that the secret to becoming a stronger, faster, and injury-free runner isn’t just running more—but running smarter?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz sits down with Brendan Lombard, an elite runner, coach, and sports scientist, to break down the art and science of training smarter, not harder. With years of experience coaching athletes worldwide, Brendan shares insights on balancing performance, recovery, and longevity in trail running.

Brendan reveals how coaching, mindset, and training strategies can transform your running, whether you're a beginner or an ultra-endurance athlete. From avoiding burnout to optimizing race-day performance, this conversation is packed with game-changing advice.

🔑 What to Expect in This Episode:

🏃‍♂️ The biggest training mistakes runners make—and how to avoid them
💡 How to balance intensity and recovery for long-term success
⏳ Why periodization and smart training are crucial for performance
🔥 The difference between road and trail training—and how to transition
🛑 When to push through and when to pull back to prevent injury

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to break through training plateaus, set big goals, and unlock their full potential on the trails.

🔊 Tune in now and learn how to run stronger, train smarter, and avoid burnout!