One More K

n this episode, we take a wild run through the ever-evolving world of trail running, guided by none other than the legendary Killian Jornet. Imagine trail running at the Olympics—yes, you heard that right! We explore how this could transform the sport from a rugged, mud-splattered adventure into a polished, global spectacle. But don't worry, we also dive into the grassroots side, where local r...

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of Jacob Zocherman, a photographer who transitioned from aspiring doctor to capturing the raw emotions of conflict zones and ultramarathons. (He is the one behind the famous Jasmine Paris image) Jacob shares his experiences of working in high-stress environments, the emotional toll it took on him, and how he found solace and balance through ru...

Ned and Markus explore the rise of 200-mile races and the impact of social media on the sport’s growing mainstream appeal. They compare shoe brands to F1 teams, discussing how professional team dynamics and a new era of collective competition could redefine ultra running’s future. The conversation also tackles the integrity of the sport, addressing the controversial role of drugs and the necessity...

In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Rodrigue Hauwaerts, an 18-year-old HOKA athlete based in Guangzhou, China. Rodrigue shares his transition from obstacle course racing to trail running, his rigorous training in Kenya, and his aspirations in competitive running. The discussion also highlights the rapid growth of trail running in China and Rodrigue's personal goals during his...

In this episode of the One More K podcast, hosts Ned and Markus delve into the evolving landscape of fitness technology, with a particular focus on Strava's role in the running community. They discuss the app's potential IPO and the implications of its business model, which currently relies heavily on premium subscribers. The conversation highlights the challenges Strava faces in balancing...

In this episode of the One More K podcast, hosts Ned and Markus explore the dynamic landscape of running, focusing on the recent surge in marathon participation and the challenges it presents. They delve into the complexities of organizing large-scale events, discussing issues like overcrowding and environmental impact, while also highlighting the positive aspects of increased interest in the spor...

We are joined by Alex Ang, one of Singapore's OG trail runners and president of the Singapore Ultra Runners Association. Alex gives us the latest insights from the Singapore and Asian trail running scene. In short, a lot is happening and young talent is emerging! He talks about his journey from being an ultra runner to starting the Singapore Ultra Runners Association. Going through many challe...

Ned and Markus wander through various topics, ask some hard questions and get quite philosophical. What sells better: the law of physics or the law of emotions? Is the UTMB Prize Money high enough? Or justified giving it is a small organisation? Is the internet democratising racing and it doesn't matter anymore if you are first or 1000th to become famous? It all comes down to storytelling. Als...

Stephanie is part of the core team of the Backyard Ultra World Championships. She is responsible for storytelling, brand management, and overall communications. Hence, she has seen the crazy growth, also behind the scenes, of this race across the world. Tune in to episode 55 to find out if Backyard has its UTMB moment, how they are managing brand partnerships, and how they are creating the right s...

Ned and Markus look at the latest industry news in the trail and ultra running industry. A lot of news came out in the last few months that is worth commenting on. They have a go at: - Hoka revenue growth slows down - Athletes make 6-figure salaries - China limits the number of road races - UTMB acquires ZUT and gets more heat - Strava plans to file for an IPO Lots to discuss. Tune in to hear the...

After a 10-month nap (or was it a taper?), we’re finally back with a new episode! This time, Ned’s wildest dream came true — he made it to the Backyard Ultra Individual World Championships… in Laz’s actual backyard! And he didn’t just show up — he absolutely smashed his personal record by 12 hours. In this episode, Ned spills all the details: the training, the prep, and the beautiful madness of ru...

We are reviewing our predictions from episode 1 and discuss what were the key (business) themes of this exciting year in trail and endurance running. Also, we hand out the One More K Business Awards (voted by us) in various categories. Tune in to hear who made it on our list. Timestamps: (01:25) Review of Predictions for 2024 (09:00) The key themes of 2024 (12:00) The One More K Business Awards 20...

Markus hosts Andy Farnworth and Hans Koeleman of Zen Running Club to discuss their mission to revolutionize running shoes. With backgrounds at Nike and decades in the industry, they share how Zen is breaking the mold by creating bio-based, compostable shoes that balance performance with sustainability. The duo explains the challenges of disrupting an industry reliant on petroleum-based materials,...

Episode 50 of One More K is a milestone celebration for Markus and Ned, reflecting on the journey from starting out to becoming an “ultra-marathon” podcast. They revisit key themes from past episodes, like the evolving business of trail running, the passion behind ultra-endurance athletes, and how the sport’s growing popularity is shaping its future. The duo shares candid thoughts on industry tren...

In this One More K episode, Jonas Jacquet, co-founder of Sporthunger.de, shares his journey from finance in Asia to building a top German endurance nutrition platform. He dives into why he returned to Germany, the gap he saw in high-quality sports nutrition, and how Sporthunger bridges that gap with curated products athletes love. Jonas reflects on his experience at The Running Event in Austin, wh...

Markus and Ned sit down with Michael Dhulst, co-founder and CEO of SuperTri, to talk about shaking up the triathlon world. Michael shares his journey from working at Volkswagen in China to launching SuperTri, a short-course triathlon league that’s built for athletes and spectators. Compact courses, thrilling formats, and team-based racing are changing the game—and pulling in new fans. He also dive...

Ryan Blair, one of the OGs of trail running in Asia, takes us on a wild ride through his journey. From organizing adventure races in the 90s to building Asia’s first professional trail running team, Ryan shares how he turned passion into purpose. Whether it’s pulling off events against all odds or fighting for better opportunities for Asian athletes, Ryan’s been at the heart of it all. He talks ab...

Markus and Ned sit down with Michael Brechtelsbauer from LEKI, the legendary pole brand that’s been helping adventurers tackle mountains, trails, and everything in between for over 75 years. Michael dives into LEKI's backstory, from a WWII refugee’s dream of building better gear to becoming a go-to for serious skiers and trail runners worldwide. He talks about LEKI’s quirky evolution—from clunky e...

Yo, it’s One More K , Markus and Ned, With Ruairi on the mic, here’s what he said: Teacher turned runner, now trail scene king, Reppin' Trail Gangstaz , where the memes do their thing. He’s raced in Vietnam, from mountains to heat, Coaching young guns, keeping ‘em on their feet. Memes got the laughs, but the message runs deep, From calling out brands to the secrets we keep. Creative hustle, posts...

In this episode, Joao Andrade, co-founder of One Hundred Group, discusses his remarkable journey from biotech and health tech entrepreneurship to launching a global trail running series. Joao opens up about two life-changing incidents: a bout with dengue fever and a heart arrhythmia during a trail race in Italy, which led him to reevaluate his fast-paced lifestyle. These experiences, he explains,...

This is a special episode in which Markus shares some thoughts on how meditation has benefited him during ultrarunning. He invites you to a 10-minute simple breathing exercise focused on breathing through the nose. Meditating is training the mind's muscles. Ultra running is a mental game. Include simple meditation in your training to reduce stress, have a better recovery and improve endurance. Een...

This week, hosts Markus and Ned banter through their current challenges—Ned’s backyard ultra race and Markus’ upcoming 10-day Vipassana meditation. Ned hilariously reflects on the absurdity of his running life, having completed 26 marathon-plus runs this year despite feeling underprepared for his next race. Markus, on the other hand, is gearing up for a complete contrast in physical activity—sitti...

In this lively episode of the One More K Podcast, hosts Markus and Ned welcome David Lloyd, the man behind Vietnam’s thriving trail running scene and Topas Trail Series. From his early days of exploring the rugged Welsh mountains to creating Vietnam’s first major trail races, David shares the unexpected journey that led him to establish the Vietnam Mountain Marathon and other iconic races. With a...

In this episode of the One More K Podcast , hosts Markus and Ned sit down with Sabrina de Nadai, a trailblazing figure in Asia’s trail running scene and the director of UTMB Asia. Sabrina shares her unique journey from a corporate career at L’Oréal to becoming a key player in the region’s trail running community. Starting with the humble origins of the TransLantau race in Hong Kong, she describes...

Send us a textIn this episode, Markus and Ned welcome ultra-endurance athlete and social media influencer Natalie Dau. Known as "Rockstar Arms" on Instagram, Natalie shares her journey from corporate IT marketing to becoming a leading figure in the ultra-running community. She discusses how she organically transitioned into fitness content creation over ten years ago, before the social media fitne...