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 late-stage diagnosis, Toby channelled his grief into purpose, building one of the UK’s leading young adult cancer charities and using running to start life-saving conversations.

Toby shares his experiences of turning pain into action, what running means to him, his upcoming world record attempt at the London Marathon, and how humour can break down stigma around men’s health.

Topics covered:

 * How The Robin Cancer Trust began
 * The Big Ballsy Challenge and reactions on the road
 * Using humour to tackle taboo topics
 * Running as therapy and motivation
 * The power of community and conversation
 * Toby’s Thrive Against Cancer podcast

Links:

 * The Big Ballsy Challenge: https://www.therobincancertrust.org/bigballsychallenge
 * The Robin Cancer Trust: therobincancertrust.org [https://www.therobincancertrust.org/]
 * Toby’s TEDx Talk: Three Steps to Surviving Grief [https://www.ted.com/talks/toby_freeman_three_steps_to_surviving_grief_toby_freeman_tedxcolchester?subtitle=en]
 * Thrive Against Cancer Podcast: thriveagainstcancer.co.uk [https://www.thriveagainstcancer.co.uk/]

Toby Freeman: The Big Ballsy Challenge – Running Through Grief, Stigma, and Hope

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 around the globe. Whether you’re dreaming of UTMB, curious about Mongolia’s remote ultra, or wondering if you really can walk a 100k, this episode has insights and inspiration for every trail runner.

Topics covered:

 * Jen & Sim’s journey from road marathons and climbing to ultras (00:23)
 * Why ultras are “adventures with support” (03:26)
 * Races that stood out, including Arc of Attrition 100 and TDS at UTMB (01:26, 06:57)
 * Inside their new book Ultra — and how they chose which races made the cut (09:01, 13:36)
 * Bucket-list ultras from Mongolia to the Trans-Alpine (15:02)
 * Advice for first-time ultra runners: why it might not be as scary as it sounds (17:01)
 * Walking an ultra — and why it might just be the best way to finish strong and avoid blisters (19:19)
 * Navigation skills and mountain craft (23:47)
 * Mental preparation, mindfulness, and dealing with “bad patches” (28:07)
 * Future races and writing projects (34:30)
 * The future of ultra running and community growth (40:02)

Links:

 * Jen & Sim Benson on Instagram: @jenandsim [https://instagram.com/jenandsim]
 * Ultra: The World Atlas of Ultramarathons [https://www.ukrunchat.co.uk/first-ever-atlas-of-ultra-marathons/]
 * Jen’s book The Path She Runs [https://www.ukrunchat.co.uk/book-review-the-path-she-runs-by-jen-benson/]

Exploring the World of Ultras with Jen & Sim Benson

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 accessible for everyone, how runners can make the leap into multi-sport, and why cross-training can make you a stronger, more resilient runner.

We cover:

 * Hilary’s journey from treadmill newbie to triathlete and coach
 * Why she wrote Unlocking the Triathlon
 * Practical tips for beginners: training plans, essential gear, and transitions
 * How swimming and cycling can improve your running
 * Balancing training with work, family, and life
 * Why triathlon isn’t just about racing

If you’ve ever thought “Could I really do a triathlon?” this episode might just convince you the answer is yes.

Unlocking the Triathlon: A Beginner’s Guide to Competing in a Triathlon is out in January 2026 and is available for pre-order on Waterstones and Amazon.

Follow Hilary:

 * Instagram: @hilarytopper [https://instagram.com/hilarytopper]
 * Blog: atriathletesdiary.com [https://atriathletesdiary.com/]

Unlocking the Triathlon: A Beginner’s Guide to Competing in a Triathlon with Hilary Topper

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 discovered ultras suited him better than shorter races (02:00)
 * Training strategies: long runs, back-to-backs, and speed work (20:00)
 * The differences between marathon and ultra training (16:30)
 * Fuelling and hydration lessons (33:00)
 * Pacing strategies for different types of ultras (30:00)
 * Coping with low points and the mental game (38:00)
 * Listener questions on myths, navigation, training mileage, and recovery (42:00)
 * Steve’s best advice for anyone lining up for their first (or next) ultra

Whether you’re planning your first 50k or looking for ways to go further, this episode is full of practical takeaways and motivation.

Steve Till on Ultrarunning: Training, Pacing, Fuelling & Mindset for the Long Run

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 through rainforest terrain. From there, she’s gone on to race in the Namib Desert, the Arctic Circle, the Highlands of Scotland, and the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, often winning or podiuming as she learns on the go.

In this conversation, we discuss:

 * How a friend convinced her to "just sign up"
 * The realities of racing self-sufficient in remote environments
 * Adapting to heat, altitude, and cold with Dr Freya Bayne and London South Bank University
 * Overcoming setbacks, from hyponatremia to a dog bite
 * What she’s learning about female physiology and endurance
 * And how she’s raising funds for Make Some Noise along the way.

🎧 Tune in for a deep dive into resilience, curiosity, and saying yes before you feel ready.

Links:

 * Ioana Barbu on Instagram → @ioanabarboux [https://www.instagram.com/ioanabarboux]
 * Ioana’s fundraising page → makesomenoise.enthuse.com/pf/ioana-barbu [https://makesomenoise.enthuse.com/pf/ioana-barbu]
 * Beyond the Ultimate → https://www.beyondtheultimate.co.uk/

Ioana Barbu on Completing the Beyond the Ultimate Race Series and Adapting to Extreme Environments

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 husband and family helped her start again, why her first 10k was both awful and life-changing, and how running has shifted her relationship with her body.

We talk honestly about fuelling, relapse fears, and the importance of building a life worth being well for. Francesca is training for the London Marathon in support of Coach Core, a charity creating opportunities through sports apprenticeships.

Please note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, hospitalisation, and fuelling struggles. Listener discretion is advised.

Resources:

 * BEAT Eating Disorders: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk [https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/]
 * RED-S Project: https://red-s.com [https://red-s.com/]
 * Coach Core: https://coachcore.org.uk [https://coachcore.org.uk/]

Follow Francesca [https://www.instagram.com/andsoshethinks/]

Francesca Baker-Brooker: Training for London Marathon

In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, we meet Ludwig Moreau, better known on Instagram as @ihaterunningbut [https://www.instagram.com/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 for Amnesty International UK. We also talk about:

 * How volunteering at the London Marathon changed his perspective.
 * Balancing training with other sports like CrossFit.
 * The lessons he’s already picked up from books, coaches, and parkrun.
 * How fundraising has added motivation (and pressure).
 * Why respecting the marathon distance is key.

Plus, we finish with a fun quickfire round, hills vs intervals, running in the cold vs heat, and the first thing Ludwig wants to do when he crosses the finish line.

“I Hate Running… But I’m Training for the London Marathon” with Ludwig Moreau

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, and how he’s training for the desert, from 4am starts and 60-mile training weeks, to sand dunes, heat chambers, and learning how to fuel on the run.

We also talk about the community side of running, fundraising for charity, and why he believes running is about self-belief and simply “just doing it.”



From Shrewsbury to the Sahara: Neil’s Road to the Marathon des Sables

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 transformed her life, tackling parkruns, 10Ks, half marathons, and even her first ultramarathon.

She opens up about:

 * How she went from struggling to walk 10 minutes to completing a half marathon PB at age 43.
 * The mental and physical challenges of running the Race to the King ultra in 36°C heat.
 * The role running played in helping her navigate grief and rebuild her confidence.
 * Training (and racing) alongside her husband Darren, who’s been her biggest supporter.
 * Her goals for the upcoming Shrewsbury Half Marathon, and why it means so much to her to run it as part of her hometown community.

Whether you’re just starting out, coming back from injury, or chasing big goals, Gemma’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to change your life through running.

Enjoy 

Gemma Wright | Pareto FM

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 transformed her running
🏔️ Fastpacking adventures on the TMB & Tour de Monte Rosa
📚 Running the Wainwright guidebook routes
⛷️ Training with the GB SkiMo team

Victoria’s blend of speed, grit, and mountain spirit is inspiring – don’t miss this one.

Follow Victoria on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/victoriathompson___/]

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