Ultrarunner Magazine UK
By Ultrarunner Magazine UK
Issue 5 is OUT NOW!
Ultrarunner Magazine UK Dec 19, 2022
Ultra Trail Drakensberg Race Director Interview – Spurgeon Flemington
Welcome to the Ultrarunner Magazine podcast, thanks for joining us today.
Today we’re privileged to talk to Ultra Trail Drakensberg Race Director and founder Spurgeon Flemington who shares a passionate insight into the events development and deep connection with the mountains, traversing an iconic wilderness steeped in culture amongst the highest mountains in Southern Africa.
Spurgeon shares an insight into setting up the events, the range of distances, the trails the races follow, the challenges along the way and it highlights that the ‘passions extend beyond the events to the environment in which he works and lives’, “directly raising funds to support projects benefiting the local area helping to improve the surrounding environment and its wild inhabitants.”
Listen to more of our podcasts at > https://www.ultrarunnermagazine.co.uk/category/podcasts/
Paul Edwards – Walking Across America
Welcome to the Ultrarunner Magazine Podcast.
Today we’re joined on the channel by Ultrarunner Paul Edwards as he shares an insight into his incredible background of endurance and how each test has prepared Paul for his 2800 mile walk across America starting in January 2023…
What makes Paul tick? We delve into the passions that are ignited in Paul to support his local children’s charity, and how does Paul break down the distance into manageable steps… There’s always one last challenge for Paul…
Visit the podcast page on our website > https://www.ultrarunnermagazine.co.uk/paul-edwards-walking-across-america/
Everesting Every Month – Lorna Mae Hellam
Welcome to the Ultrarunner Magazine Podcast, thanks for joining us. Today we’re catching up with Lorna Mae Hellam of Hartfell Hill Running Club, aged 24, from Dumfries, who has just completed a challenge of completing the height of Mount Everest at 8849m every month of 2022 in memory of her beloved uncle.
What makes the challenge even more incredible is that Lorna just completed her December Everesting in less than 24 hours and has now raised over £2600 for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation… https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lorna-hellam-everest12…
Lorna shares the difficulties during the challenge, the mindset to continue and how it felt to have the support of her friends and family. Special thank you to Lorna for sharing her story and Norman Neilson for arranging.
https://www.ultrarunnermagazine.co.uk/category/podcasts/
Pen Llyn Winter Ultra – Dilys Fullerton
Welcome to the Ultrarunner Magazine Podcast. Today we’re joined by Dilys Fullerton who alongside Huw Williams host the Pen Llyn Ultra race series on the Llŷn Peninsula and have just held the 37 mile Pen Llyn Winter Ultra.
We discuss the race, the beauty of this corner of Wales, the challenges of the route and the runners, volunteers and community that come together to make the race series so special.
Check out the podcast …
www.ultrarunnermagazine.co.uk/category/podcasts/
Warrington Way – Race Director Interview
Welcome to the Ultrarunner Magazine Podcast. Today we’re joined by Kieran Walsh and Chris Lees of Lymm Runners and Race Director’s of the Warrington Way 40 mile ultramarathon.
We’ll be discussing the history of the race, the passion for trail running that was behind the setup of the event, the mindset of the Ultrarunner and the encouragement of Lymm Runners to welcome all runners of all abilities to the relay or the ultramarathon distance.
We also discuss the incredible Ultrarunning community, the growth of the sport and what the race means to Lymm as a village. Catch the full interview …
www.ultrarunnermagazine.co.uk/category/podcasts/
An interview with Andy Berry
In 2020 following growing interest in the challenge, the Fell Running Association (FRA) adopted Steve Parr’s route of 61 peaks. It includes the 57 peaks documented by Wainwright as being higher than 2,500 feet plus Broad Crag, Ill Crag, Shelter Crags and Helvellyn Lower Man. This became the benchmark for formally registering completions and record breaking runs of the 2,500ft peaks. The round was named in honour of Steve as he completed the first round in 1984, starting and finishing at the Keswick Moot Hall. He covered some 116 miles and 42550′ of ascent in a time of 42 hours 56 minutes, a record that stood for 36 years.
An Interview With Jill Wheatley
In 2014, Jill Wheatley was living and working in Germany as a high school health and physical education teacher. On a day that began like any other, while Jill was teaching her students how to connect bat to ball, a fluke accident would result in a traumatic brain injury and a 70% loss of vision, she was given just three days to live.
Surrounded by the Colorado Rockies, Jill drew inspiration from the mountains that called out to her as she lay in her hospital bed trying to recover. Overcoming mental anguish and a loss of hope, Jill moved her mindset to one of growth. After finally being allowed to leave the hospital, she headed straight for the mountains and into a challenge as she navigated the trails, in an unfamiliar body, towards her independence.
Sanna Duthie Interview
Sanna Duthie has just set a new Fastest Known Time on the 186 mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path of 51 hours and 30 minutes. Sanna shares her thoughts on the journey and also her determination to make the attempt a reality!
Anna Rutherford Interview
Anna Rutherford shares with Ultrarunner Magazine her thoughts and inspirational mindset to show her children and the world that dreams do come true! Nine months after giving birth to her second child, Anna has just set a new women’s Fastest Known Time on the Southern Upland Way 214 Mile, beating the previous record by 17 hours, and shares insight into her challenges along the way!
Interview with John Hammond
An interview with Liverpool legend John Hammond who has raised over £100,000 for charity over the years with a focus on supporting families with ill children. John has taken on the race dubbed the ‘Toughest Race on Earth’, the Marathon des Sables and ran consecutive marathons every day for over a month amongst a great many other challenges.
A remarkable and humble man. Here more from John about his journey.
Interview With Jack Scott
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!
An Interview with Dr Robin Smith
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
An Interview with Beth Pascall
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!
Interview with Sabrina Verjee
An interview with Damian Hall
All Roads Lead To The USA - An Interview with Ben Smith
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*
Barkley Marathon Race Review - Laz Lake
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.
Creating Barkley - An Interview With Gary Cantrell
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.
An interview with Lizzy Hawker
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!
An Interview with Dylan Bowman
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.
An interview with Ryan Sandes
Ultrarunner Magazine was treated to an interview with the incredible South African trail-running sensation, Ryan Sandes. During his 14-year running career, Ryan has completed and defeated some of the toughest ultramarathon’s on earth! In 2010, he became the first competitor to win all four ‘Racing the Planet’ desert races before going on to become the first person ever to win an Ultra-Trail race, on all seven continents!
Discussing family life and the impact of the global pandemic, Ryan went over some of his biggest challenges to date, including winning the Western States 100 miler in 2017 and setting a Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Great Himalayan Trail.
Interview with Dan Keeley
My Battle for Mental Health, Rome to Home Ultra. We spoke to Dan about his incredible journey of Mental Health and Ultra Running.
Barkley Marathon - An interview with Maggie Guterl
Experienced Ultrarunner and first woman to finish Big’s Backyard 250 mile ultra, Maggie Guterl, sat down with Ultrarunner Magazine after taking part in the 2021 edition of the Barkley Marathon. Maggie discusses her journey with the legendary Barkley and what she has taken away from the experience this year.
An Interview with Marcos Jarvis
After receiving a life-changing diagnosis in 2019, Marcos Jarvis and his family began the painful process of accepting the devastating news. A keen sportsman and avid runner, Marcos studied his way through the biggest fight of his life, turning the negatives into positives with the power of the human mind. Marcos plunged into ice baths, ran a duathlon with chemotherapy on his back, and swapped stress for Tai Chi as he reset his body, mind and lifestyle.
Marcos sat down with Ultrarunner magazine to discuss his journey, detailing the process of acceptance and why he took on the David Goggins 4 x 4 x 48 with ‘Stage 4’ cancer.
AN INSPIRATIONAL INTERVIEW WITH A REMARKABLE MAN
Mind in the Mountains, an interview with David Riley
Where the mind meets the mountains, time freezes, and the presence of peace is as forceful as it is mute. The wilds of mother nature support my body and true freedom is possible where no worries exist. The spirit of an Ultra runner demands the body to endure and the mind must be as strong as the rocks that carry the feet. The reward we collect for entering the extremes that most are not compelled to move into, is knowing the true scale of what is humanly possible for the mind, body and soul.
Kim Collinson, Lakeland Fell 24 Record.
With success both here in the UK and on the World circuit, Kim has also had a top 10 finish in the massively competitive Skyrunning World Championship, winning the Falcotrail Ultra in Spain. Having racked up an already impressive roster, Kim recently succeeded on the incredible. Breaking the Lakeland 24 fell record (with an outstanding 78 tops in 23 hours 45 minutes!), 23 years after Mark Hartell in 1997. Read more about the man himself – in his own words, Kim Collison, as he spoke to Ultrarunner Magazine.