The UKRunChat podcast.

A year after her first appearance on the podcast, physiotherapist Nicky Edwards returns to update us on a life-changing year. Since we last spoke, Nicky has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, but far from slowing down, Nicky has taken on some of the toughest challenges in UK ultra-running. Nicky talks us through the emotional and chaotic lead-up to the Arc of Attrition , receiving her MRI res...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle speaks with Priya, co-founder of Phoenix Manchester, the first Indian-born woman in the 100 Marathon Club, and one of only two South Asian women race directors in the UK. Priya shares her journey from cheering at the London Marathon to completing 100 marathons, discovering the power of Jeffing, and creating Phoenix Manchester with her partner Paul...

In this episode, Michelle speaks with Neil Thubron, founder of XNRG and an athlete who has spent decades pushing the limits of endurance. From his early days in the British Army Reserves to multi-day ultras across deserts, mountains and frozen wilderness, Neil has built a life around resilience, purpose and helping others do the same. Neil shares the story behind his most extreme challenge yet, th...

In this episode, we speak with former-Royal Marine and world-record–breaking adventurer Mitch Hutchcraft, who completed the longest climb of Everest in historyearlier this year. Now, just six months later, he’s taking on a new mission — and this time, it’s all for the dogs. Starting 3rd December, Mitch will run 700km / 16 back-to-back marathons from the UK’s lowest point in his hometown of Ramsey...

This week on the UKRunChat Podcast, we head across the Atlantic to Virginia to chat with ultra-runner John Calabrese. John started running in 2017 during a difficult period in his life and has since thrown himself into everything from road marathons to some of the toughest trail races in the US, including the legendary Barkley. We dive into: How running became a lifeline during John's divorce Movi...

A quick note that this episode includes open discussion of cancer, grief, and loss. Please take care while listening, and skip sections if you need to. In this episode, UKRunChat host Michelle talks to Toby Freeman , founder of The Robin Cancer Trust and creator of the Big Ballsy Challenge,  a 500km running campaign raising awareness of testicular cancer. After losing his brother Robin to a l...

this episode of the UKRunChat podcast, we're joined by ultra runners, authors, and adventurers Jen & Sim Benson. They share stories of epic challenges, why ultras feel like “supported adventures,” and how the community makes the sport so special. We also dive into their brand-new book, Ultra: The World Atlas of Ultramarathons — a beautifully curated guide to iconic and lesser-known races aroun...

In this episode of the UKRunChat podcast, Michelle is joined by USA Triathlon coach and author Hilary Topper to talk about her new book, Unlocking the Triathlon: A Beginner’s Guide to Competing in a Triathlon . Hilary shares her journey from failing gym class and not knowing how to swim, to taking up triathlon in her 50s, and even an 8.3-mile open water swim. She explains why triathlon is truly ac...

Steve Till is back on the UKRunChat podcast for a third time, and this time, we’re going deep into ultrarunning. With decades of experience, over 120 marathons and ultras, GB representation at the 24-hour championships, and countless stories from the track to the mountains, Steve shares his wisdom on what it takes to train, fuel, pace, and mentally survive an ultra. In this episode: How Steve disc...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, we chat to Ioana Barbu, a runner who went from completing her first marathon, to aiming to taking on the entire Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series across ice, jungle, desert, and mountains, all within a single year. Having never run an ultra before, Ioana’s first attempt was the 230 km Jungle Ultra in Peru, a brutal, self-sufficient stage race thr...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle speaks with Francesca Baker-Brooker about her powerful journey with running and anorexia. Francesca first started running as a student, but what began as a way to fit in soon spiralled into two decades of illness, hospital stays, and setbacks. Now 38, Francesca has rediscovered running in a healthy, joyful way. She shares how support from her husb...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, we meet Ludwig Moreau, better known on Instagram as @ihaterunningbut . Despite a lifelong dislike of running, Ludwig struck gold with a ballot entry for the 2026 London Marathon on his very first attempt. He shares the rollercoaster of emotions from shock and doubt to determination, what he’s learned in his early weeks of training, and why he’s fundraising...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle is joined by Neil, who is preparing for one of the toughest footraces in the world, the Marathon des Sables, a 250km multi-day ultra across the Sahara Desert. Neil shares how he first got into running (from rugby pitches in Bradford to his first London Marathon), what keeps bringing him back to the Shrewsbury Half Marathon, sponsored by Pareto, an...

In this inspiring episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle chats with Gemma Wright, Senior Account Manager at Pareto FM and headline sponsor of the Shrewsbury Half & Metric Half Marathon. Gemma shares her journey of rediscovering running after a serious hip injury, losing nearly eight stone, and finding strength through running after the loss of her dad. Over the past 18 months, Gemma has tr...

In this episode we’re joined by mountain athlete, skyrunner, and GB SkiMo team member Victoria Thompson  Victoria recently made headlines by winning the Montane Summer Spine Sprint South – finishing 1st woman, 2nd overall, and smashing the course record by over 40 minutes! In this episode, we dive into: 🧭 Her nav style – map and compass always at hand 💪 How cross-training and speed work tra...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle catches up with coach and triathlete Scott Hill, who returns to share his insights on training and racing while leading a busy life. Scott talks about the importance of self-reflection and mindset, how to structure consistent training without falling into volume swings, and how to use training to refine your race-day fuelling strategy. We also hea...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle is joined by Dr Juliette McGrattan, co-founder of 261 Fearless Club UK, to talk about the upcoming 261 Fearless UK Women’s Running Conference taking place in Bicester on 13th September 2025 . Themed Take the Baton , the conference celebrates the past, present, and future of women’s running. Keynote speakers include Kathrine Switzer , the first wom...

Ever raced against time itself? ⏳ In this episode, we chat to John Yelland, founder of Mad Hatter Sports Events and race director of the Hourglass race, a unique event where the clock gets faster every lap. Strategy, grit, and community come together in this event format set in the heart of Cornwall. “It’s not about speed, it’s you against the clock.” — John Yelland Enjoy!  #UKRunChat

In this episode, Eilish McColgan speaks to Michelle from her training base in France about her year so far, recent challenges, and future ambitions. Eilish reflects on the unusual build-up to her London Marathon debut, recovery afterwards, and her current focus on training for the Great North Run in September. Eilish discusses the impact of weather conditions on her London performance, how she adj...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, Michelle speaks with Jenny Bushell, a Cumbria-based trail and fell runner, coach, and author of the new Lake District Trail and Fell Running Guide . Jenny shares her journey from Couch to 5K to ultra-running and fell racing in her home county. We dive into the inspiration and process behind her new book, which features 40 carefully curated routes across th...

In this deeply personal follow-up episode, Michelle welcomes back ultra-distance runner Steve Till, who opens up about his recent experience with lymphoma. Steve shares how running—especially parkrun, helped him maintain a sense of identity, purpose, and positivity during chemotherapy and beyond. From walking 5Ks during treatment to reflecting on the emotional and psychological impact of illness,...

In this episode of the UKRunChat podcast, Michelle speaks to Raja Aslam, a foster carer from Blackburn and passionate runner, about his bold challenge to run from Manchester to The Hague, covering a half marathon every day to raise money for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme for foster children.  Raja shares his story of getting into running just before COVID, running marathons during Rama...

In this episode, we meet Steve Wolfe, a runner on an extraordinary mission to run the distance around the world — 40,075 kilometres — without taking a single day off. Steve opens up about the physical and mental challenges of his streak (now over 3,000 days), the motivation behind it, and how running has helped him through trauma, loss, and PTSD. From running laps of his garden with COVID to launc...

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, we chat to Bob Yates, who is nearing the end of a monumental challenge — running the length of Britain from Land's End to John O'Groats to celebrate his 60th birthday. We hear how Bob went from a treadmill in the bedroom just over 10 years ago when he took up running, to training for ultras and signing up for a 1,000+ mile adventure. He talks about why he...

UK Eiden, Inspired by Japan’s world-famous Hakone Ekiden, brings long-distance team relay racing to UK roads, blending university athletics, corporate participation, and cultural exchange. In this episode, host Michelle catches up with Anna Dingley (UK Ekiden founder) and Matt Seddon (Athletics Director & Oxford University Cross Country Head Coach) after this year’s event, which saw university...