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 hear about Scott’s recent racing experiences, his role pacing the 90-minute group at the Shrewsbury Half Marathon, and his top tips for athletes who want to balance family, work, and training without losing progress.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

 * How self-reflection and flexibility can help busy athletes stay consistent
 * Why discipline matters more than motivation
 * Strategies for building training plans without big volume spikes
 * Practical ways to test and refine your fuelling for race day
 * Scott’s advice for keeping training fun, family-friendly, and sustainable

Follow Scott:

 * Instagram: @ironhill83 [https://instagram.com/ironhill83]
 * Coaching: TriWolf Coach [https://www.instagram.com/triwolfcoach/]

Balancing Life, Training, and Race-Day Nutrition with Coach & Triathlete Scott Hill

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 woman to officially run the Boston Marathon, and GB ultra-runner Sophie Power, founder of She Races.

Juliette shares the story behind 261 Fearless, the ethos of its UK running groups, and what attendees can expect from this one-of-a-kind event. From empowering panels with women’s running group founders to practical sessions and networking opportunities, this conference promises goosebumps, laughter, and inspiration for every runner.

Take the Baton: Catherine Switzer, 261 Fearless & the Future of Women’s Running | Dr Juliette McGrattan

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

John Yelland, Race Director of Hourglass | Mad Hatter Sports Events

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 adjusted training and recovery afterward, and her excitement about returning to racing. She shares insights into her day-to-day life as a professional runner, including her training structure, nutrition habits, and the importance of recovery and mental well-being.

Eilish also opens up about her relationship with her mum Liz McColgan, and the invaluable support she receives from her fiancé, Michael.

Image credit: @michealrimmer8  [https://www.instagram.com/michaelrimmer8/]

Follow Eilish [https://www.instagram.com/eilishmccolgan/]

Eilish McColgan

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 the Lake District, from beginner-friendly loops to full-day mountain adventures.

Jenny offers insights on the differences between trail and fell running, building confidence on descents, how to approach hill climbs, and the essential safety kit to carry in the fells. She also explains how to use poles efficiently and why effort-based pacing matters. Plus, we explore her upcoming challenges, including the Dragon’s Back Race and the Seven Valleys.

Highlights:

 * Jenny’s transition from road races to mountain adventures
 * How the guidebook came together and the stories behind the routes
 * The difference between trail and fell running
 * Tips for tackling steep climbs and technical descents
 * Kit advice and safety essentials for the Lake District
 * Inclusive challenge routes from the Espresso Round to the Bob Graham

Links:

 * 🗺️ The Lake District Trail and Fell Running Guide – Available via Inspired by Lakeland [https://www.inspiredbylakeland.co.uk/collections/books/products/the-lake-district-trail-and-fell-running-guide] and local bookshops
 * 🌄 Jenny’s coaching & adventures: jennybushelladventures.co.uk [http://jennybushelladventures.co.uk/]
 * 📸 Follow Jenny: @jennybushelladventures [https://instagram.com/jennybushelladventures]

Exploring the Lake District Fells with Jenny Bushell

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, Steve’s story is a powerful reminder that running can be more than sport.

🔗 Links Mentioned:

 * Steve's parkrun blog post: https://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2025/05/13/parkrun-has-been-crucial-to-my-treatment [https://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2025/05/13/parkrun-has-been-crucial-to-my-treatment/]

Steve and Michelle chat about:

 * Diagnosis and the decision to keep moving
 * Parkrun as emotional grounding during chemotherapy
 * The mental challenge of slowing down
 * Why staying active—even just a little—can make a huge difference
 * Lessons from 50 years of running
 * The value of community and meaningful conversations during illness

Bio:

Steve Till has represented GB in 24-hour races, run over 100 marathons, and completed more than 600 parkruns. He brings the same focus and discipline from his ultra-running to his recovery, and shares his experience to help others.

Running Through Cancer: Steve Till on Positivity, Parkrun, and Recovery

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 Ramadan, the impact of fostering on his family, and how he hopes to inspire others through his journey.

Follow Raja on Instagram: Raja Aslam’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rajaaslamruns]

Fundraising link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/rajaaslam-manchestertothehague [https://www.instagram.com/rajaaslamruns]

From Manchester to The Hague: Running for foster children with Raja Aslam

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 launching a local running group, Steve’s story is as inspiring as it is humbling.

We also discuss:

 * How he got started after a major health scare
 * His love-hate relationship with marathons
 * The role of community in his journey
 * Fundraising for Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance
 * The one rule he’s never broken (except once…)

Follow Steve

 * Instagram: @runtheworldchallenge [https://www.instagram.com/runtheworldchallenge]
 * Website: https://www.runtheworldchallenge.co.uk/

Run the World — Steve Wolfe’s Daily Mission to Circle the Globe

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 fuels his running on a vegan diet, what the journey has taught him, and how he’s raising money for a charity funding life-changing surgery for children in Uganda.

Bob’s fundraising page: www.humanitydirect.org/bob [http://www.humanitydirect.org/bob]

Follow Bob’s progress: Strava & Instagram feeds on his fundraising page

1,000 Miles at 60: Bob Yates on Running the Length of Britain

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 and corporate teams racing along the Thames — with plenty of action, community spirit, and lessons learned!

You’ll hear about:

 * The roots of Ekiden and why it’s so popular in Japan 🇯🇵
 * How UK Ekiden is inspiring UK university and club runners
 * Standout moments (and challenges) from this year’s race
 * The importance of team spirit in endurance running
 * Why Oxford got disqualified this year!
 * Growing UK–Japan cultural links through running
 * The vision for making UK Ekiden a fixture in the UK calendar


Instagram: @ukekiden [https://www.instagram.com/ukekiden]
Website: ukekiden.com [https://ukekiden.com/]

Photo Credit: Phil Hill

UKRunChat

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