The Running Voyager

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a bonus episode of Mt Fuji 100 , your trail-running scoop straight from the source! This time, we’re diving into the Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji 2025 weekend—what to expect, who to watch, and why it’s such a massive deal on the trail calendar. 🗓️ Race Dates: April 25–27, 2025 🌍 Part of the World Trail Majors 👟 3 Race Formats: 🏔️ UTMF 100 Miler – 168km | 6,254m vert | 2,400 r...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a doctor, shaped by the weight of a global pandemic, decides to cycle across an entire continent? After COVID, Sam — a Korean-British doctor — made a quiet promise to himself: he would ride across Africa. From the rolling landscapes of Kenya to the windswept Cape of Good Hope, his journey became more than a physical challenge — it became a pilgrimage of purpose a...

Send us Fan Mail Derin is an American ultra-runner living in Tokyo. After developing a world-class dad bod due to years of health negligence, he took up running in 2017 at age 38 to master a sport he’d always disdained. A former competitive swimmer and avid hiker, he rebuilt his fitness in true rookie fashion, learning hard lessons from successive mistakes. In 2024, he became the first foreign ath...

Send us Fan Mail With the Addo Elephant Trail Run happening this weekend, I’m republishing my conversation with race directors Sheena and Sian to help new runners feel prepared and confident. Addo is no ordinary race—it takes you through rugged trails, remote landscapes, and breathtaking scenery in the heart of Addo Elephant National Park. In this episode, we talk about the race itself, what first...

Send us Fan Mail This episode covers various tips and personal experiences on how to get motivated for running. From participating in unique running events to finding the right running group, the speaker shares different strategies and personal anecdotes to help runners get out of a rut and back on track.  Introduction  Runner Event in Hadano  Group Running Experience  Why This Episode  Tips for G...

Send us Fan Mail The guest in episode 108 is Wye-Khe Kwok. Wye-Khe is an Australian transplant in Japan, whose life has been an exploration of trails, mountains and pushing the boundaries of endurance. From transitioning from hiking to trail running, to navigating the delicate balance between carrying too much gear and running too far, Wye-Khe shares his unique perspectie on living life to the ful...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Linda interviews Bennie, a seasoned ultra-endurance runner with an impressive track record. Having conquered grueling races like the 400km Ultra Gobi in China/Mongolia, The Munga , Skyrun , Mac Mac , and Moab 240 , to name a few, Bennie is no stranger to pushing his physical and mental limits.  This conversation focuses on his experience running the **Ultra Gobi**...

Send us Fan Mail Miyelani is a powerhouse both on and off the trails. A single mom of three, she juggles her busy schedule with training and competing, proving that determination knows no bounds. With multiple Comrades Marathon finishes under her belt, Olivia has taken her endurance to new heights in the world of adventure racing. She shares her experiences navigating team dynamics, overcoming cha...

Send us Fan Mail Mike is a dedicated runner and community builder based in Cape Town. In addition to being an accomplished ultrarunner, he serves as the Captain of Must Love Hills Runcrew and is the co-founder of Community Track Club. In this episode, we delve into how Mike began his running journey, his recent adventure in Egypt, and his experience at Ultra Trail Cape Town. We also discuss the si...

Send us Fan Mail Kiyo Fujishiro is the editor, publisher, and managing director at Mokusei Publishers Inc., known for bringing compelling stories to life. As the publisher of Like the Wind Magazine Japan and acclaimed books such as Beyond Jogging: The Innerspaces of Running by Mike Spino, Cross Country by Rickey Gates, and El Fútbol a Soly Sombra by Eduardo Galeano, Kiyo’s passion for storytelling...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Kiyoshi a Tokyo-based running community organizer and avid runner, discusses his journey with running, the famous Hakone Ekiden relay race, and his involvement in the Doyou (土曜） Club, an open learning and running community. Kiyoshi shares insights into the cultural significance of the Ekiden race in Japan, its impact on university students, and how it fosters c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Linda interviews Brett Florens, an experienced ultra runner, for the second time. They discuss Brett's running journey, his goals, and his holistic approach to enjoying the sport. Brett shares insights on training, the significance of major marathons like Boston and London, and the inspiration drawn from other runners. The episode also touches upon personal an...

Send us Fan Mail Adventures in Ultra Running with Naomi Brand In this episode, Linda revisits an inspiring conversation with Naomi Brand, a vet, activist, and elite ultra runner. Naomi shares her extraordinary journey in the ultra running world, recounting her experiences in major races like UTD, UTCT, and Tarawera Ultra. The discussion delves into her life challenges, including migrating to New Z...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, David, a 25-year-old marathon runner from the DRC Congo now residing in Cape Town, shares his inspiring journey. He discusses how he started running, the challenges and triumphs of building the Somerset Run Crew, and the impact of community in his life. David also talks about his unique experience running the Cape Town Marathon in a tuxedo and the lessons he learn...

Send us Fan Mail In this touching and inspiring podcast, our guest is  Jack Adams, a dedicated runner, former military member, and missionary, about his incredible journey running the length of Japan. Jack shares his background, personal struggles, and how he harnessed faith and determination to embark on this massive undertaking, highlighting various encounters and lessons learned along the way....

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode, Kgomotso Hamadziripi , a 22-year-old ultra runner, takes us through his extraordinary journey into the world of ultra running. From discovering his passion for running at a young age to maintaining an impressive running streak since August 2021, Kgomotso shares the highs and lows of competing in ultra-distance races. Notably, he recounts his experience i...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 97 of the podcast, we interview ultra runner Grant Mitchell, winner of the inaugural Runyanga 100-miler in Zimbabwe. This engaging episode covers Grant’s background in sports performance, his transition from rugby to ultra running, and the unique experiences he had during the 100-mile race. Grant shares insights into his training regimen, the mental and physical challen...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the we converses with Juliana, who shares her extraordinary experience of running the Marathon Des Sables (MDS). From the logistical challenges before the race to the physical and emotional aspects of running in the desert, Juliana’s story is a testament to human determination and resilience. She also discusses her running background, her training regimen, the com...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this riveting episode as we sit down with James, a determined and competitive runner, who shares his journey across the globe from the UK to the deserts of Morocco. We dive deep into his experiences and how he prepares, competes, and overcomes the challenges in ultra and trail running events like the Marathon Des Sables (MDS) and the Golden Trail Series. James also enli...

Send us Fan Mail  Zukie Tandathu, is an ultra runner originally from South Africa, now based in the UK. Zukie shares his experiences of transitioning to the UK, his running journey, training for ultra marathons, and becoming a North Face Explorer. He also discusses the challenges and highlights of participating in races like the Dragon's Back Race, Ultra Trail Snowdonia, and the Marathon des S...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to episode 93 of the podcast! In this episode, Linda sits down with Paul Brillantes, an incredible independent athlete hailing from the Philippines known for his passion for ultra running, sky running, and cycling. Summary: - Paul recently completed the grueling Deep Japan Ultra (DJU) 80K and placed third. - He discusses his rigorous training schedule that he balances with...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this episode of The Running Voyage podcast, where Linda dives deep into the remarkable journey of Gediminus Grinius, a seasoned ultra-marathon runner and former military member from Lithuania.  They talk about Gediminus's win at Deep Japan Ultra in the 80km race with accumulated vert of over 4000m in a time of 8:55:57. Gediminus shares his story of resilience, disci...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the podcast, Linda interviews Marco Lui, a journalist with a rich background in running. They discuss Marco's insights and experiences in various marathons and trail races, including his role in the English live broadcast of Fuji 100. Marco shares his journey from financial journalism to running, his experiences at Western States, and his thoughts on the imp...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to our latest race report episode, where we dive into the the Okumusashi Long trail race, set amidst the scenic trails of Hanno, Saitama. Exploring Hanno's Trail Treasures Located in the heart of Saitama, Hanno serves as the perfect backdrop for an exhilarating trail running experience. The race route not only showcases the breathtaking beauty of the area but also offe...

Send us Fan Mail In episode 90 of the podcast,  we welcome back Admire Muzopambwa to discuss his recent win at the UTD (Ultra-Trail Drakensberg) race. Having previously interviewed Admire in the show's 20th episode, We reflect on Admire's growth as an athlete. Admire shares his excitement and the significance of his UTD win, alongside victories like Karkloof 100 Miler , highlighting the pe...