The most thrilling part of all of this, for me, was the weight of the pressure. I do not know why, but I find it an exhilarating task. Every decision influences the effort and unlike a race, each rest stop, meal stop, even down to what items I bring along, well, that is on me. One false move and its game over and I relish that challenge!

Dr Robin Smith is a 38-year-old Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the Cardiff School of Social Sciences and the current holder of the Offas Dyke FKT.  Ultrarunner Magazine spoke to Robin to find more about his journey into ultra-running and the Offas Dyke

In the summer of 2020, ultra-runner Beth Pascall, at 33 years of age, took on one of the most difficult fell running challenges the Lake District has to offer. Not only completing the Bob Graham Round but owning it as she took the record for Fastest Known Time (FKT) along the route. Shaving a remarkable 50 minutes off the previous record, Beth talks with Ultrarunner Magazine about the incredible accomplishment!

In 2015 Ben Smith embarked on a challenge, running 401 marathons in 401 days, to raise incredible sums of money for anti-bullying charities. Ben caught up with Ultrarunner Magazine ahead of his next challenge, running and cycling 14,000-miles across 50 states in the USA, to talk about the message behind the miles. 

*Part one and two*

This year, the Barkley won again, picking off its competitors one by one. With only two competitors completing a third loop and no survivors left to make loop four, the Barkley marathon in Frozen Head State Park, was over just 48 hours after Lazarus Lake lit his cigarette.

In an interview with Ultrarunner Magazine Laz gives his post-race thoughts, discussing the 2021 edition of the Barkley, and what challenges he went through as a Race Director, hosting the ‘most gruelling Ultra on earth’, inside of a global pandemic.

In 1997 James Earl Ray was being held in Frozen Head State Park after committing the murder of Martin Luther King JR. The ambitious criminal made his escape from Brushy Mountain Penitentiary with big ideas of freedom in mind. However, James only managed to get 8 miles from his cell in his 54 hours of stolen time before being caught. Navigating through the American terrain that legend tells, ‘eats its intruders and spits them out’ he was swallowed by the landscape and threw back into the hands of the law.

I first witnessed the magnificence of a mountain, as a six-year-old child. My family and I were on holiday and as we hiked our way through the rolling landscapes, and so my love affair began. I felt a sense of ‘home’ as the wildness, it provoked my curiosity and ever since I have sought adventure wherever that wonder takes me; typically, atop a mountain!

Dylan Bowman, a multi-record-breaking athlete, finishing in 3rd place in the ‘Race Across the Sky’ Leadville 100 mile (2010), which draws athletes from around the world, and returning a year later to take 2nd  place. Also, amongst Dylan’s achievements, 1st place at the San Diego 100 mile and 5thin the 2013 Western States.