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PODCAST

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast

Max Stuart, Sarah Page, Rob Nugent

Welcome to Trails, Tales, and Fails! Dive into the world of ultra running with host Max Stuart, and co-hosts Rob Nugent, and Sarah Page as they discuss tales and fails of ultra running. Each episode features quirky facts, unforgettable guest stories, and plenty of laughs. From training tips to race-day surprises, they blend practical advice with good humour, making this the perfect podcast for both seasoned runners and curious newcomers. Tune in for a fun and informative journey through the highs

sports running

All Episodes

01:19:18

Damian Hall: FKTs, 200 milers, longevity and motivation

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/09/28

This week, Max, Rob and Sarah are joined by one of the biggest names in UK ultra running — Damian Hall.Damian has finished fifth at UTMB, won the Spine Race, set multiple FKTs and taken on some seriously ambitious challenges. But there’s much more to his running than racing.He’s also a coach, author, journalist, climate campaigner and co-founder of The Green Runners — a group working to make running and the wider sport more environmentally sustainable.We chat about Damian’s recent running

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01:07:17

Leroy Valentine: Bigfoot 200

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/09/10

Rob and Sarah sit down with UK ultra runner Leroy Valentine after his incredible 88 hours and 7 minutes at Bigfoot 200 in Washington State.Bigfoot 200 is a 200 mile point-to-point trail race through the Cascade Mountains, featuring 44,082 feet of elevation gain, 45,563 feet of descent and a 107-hour cutoff. It's the kind of ultra where running ability is only part of the equation — pacing, nutrition, strength, sleep, feet, mindset and the ability to adapt all become crucial when you're

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01:06:12

Sarah Page: UTMB 2026

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/09/02

Fresh back from Chamonix, this week we're bringing you a UTMB special.Sarah joins us to relive her journey around Mont Blanc after finishing UTMB 2026 in 28 hours and 14 minutes, placing 222nd overall, 37th female and joint-second British athlete.We break the race down from start to finish, covering the build-up, race week nerves, the dramatic two-hour weather delay, the electric atmosphere on the course, the highs and lows of a 174km adventure, and the difficult moments around Grand Col Ferret

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00:43:11

The Best of Truth or Lie! Susie Chan, Fi Pascall,...

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/08/21

It’s time for the BEST of Truth or Lie! 😂Over the past 18 months, guests have thrown some seriously questionable statements at us — and now we're bringing together some of our funniest, strangest and most memorable Truth or Lies in one episode.Featuring Debbie Martin-Consani, Fi Pascall, Holly Stables, Susie Chan, Ben O’Connell and Ben Potts, this is a chance to revisit some of the best stories from the podcast and see if you can work out what’s actually true.Expect ridiculous claims, wild

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01:03:40

Mission IN-possible: 100 Ultras in 100 Days | David...

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/08/16

What does it actually take to run 50km every single day for 100 days?In this episode, we chat to David “Jacko” Jackson, former professional rugby player, breath coach and the man behind the incredible Mission IN-possible challenge.Jacko is attempting to complete 100 ultramarathons in 100 consecutive days, covering a minimum of 50km every day, while aiming to raise an incredible £1 million for brain injury charities Headway UK and Head for Change.When we spoke to David “Jacko” Jackson on Friday 14th

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00:50:50

Lakeland 100 2026 and UTMB Recce Chat

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/08/03

This week, we chat about Rob's recent Lakeland 100 finish.From pacing and nutrition to the mental battles that every ultra runner faces.We chat about Sarah's recent UTMB recce, sharing her first impressions of the course, key sections to look out for, and what runners can expect if they're heading to the Alps this summer.Whether you're training for your first ultra, taking on Lakeland 2027, or dreaming of UTMB, there's plenty of chat, race stories and the usual laughs along the

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01:05:15

Mark Wilson: England Rugby World Cup Finalist Turned...

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/07/22

What happens when you've reached the pinnacle of your sport and it's all over?In this episode we sit down with Mark Wilson—former England international, 2019 Rugby World Cup finalist and Newcastle Falcons legend—to talk about life after professional rugby and why he's found a new challenge in ultra running.Since retiring from rugby, Mark has thrown himself into some of the UK's toughest endurance events, including the Arc of Attrition 100 and the iconic Paddy Buckley Round. We

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01:13:54

Western States 100: Inside America's Most Iconic...

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/07/13

What does it really take to run the legendary Western States 100?This week on Trails, Tales & Fails, we're joined by Lee Dunstall, who began his ultra running journey in 2019 before earning his place on the start line of the world's most famous 100-mile race. Alongside him is his partner Rebecca Parker, an ultra runner who crewed and supported Lee throughout his Western States adventure.Together we dive into everything you need to know about the Western States Endurance Run—from qualifying and

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01:18:17

Helen Newman | Winning the Lake District Sky Race,...

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/07/06

What does it take to become a seriously strong female ultra runners—and how do you train for mountain races when you live in one of the flattest parts of England?In this episode, we sit down with Helen Newman to explore her incredible journey through ultra running, trail running and sky racing.Helen is building an impressive ultra running CV, including:🏆 Winner – Five Valleys Ultra🥈 2nd – Winter on the Downs 50 Mile🏅 6th Female – South Downs Way 100 (19:50)🏆 1st Female & 8th Overall – Lake

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01:15:00

James Yeardley's Montane Summer Spine Race | 275...

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/06/23

Fresh from completing the Montane Summer Spine Race, today's guest joins us to unpack an incredible 275-mile journey along the Pennine Way.Finishing in around 150 hours, he battled challenging underfoot conditions, sleep deprivation, changing weather, and the mental and physical demands that come with one of Britain's toughest ultramarathons. Along the way, he shared conversations with some legendary names, including Nicky Spinks and Andy Glaze, while learning plenty about himself in the

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01:19:54

Simon Withers: South Downs Way 100 2026

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/06/17

In this episode we sit down with South Coast ultra runner Simon Withers, one of the rising stars of the UK ultra running scene.Fresh from a gritty 7th place finish at the South Downs Way 100, Simon reflects on racing one of the UK's most competitive 100-mile ultras, sharing his pacing strategy, nutrition, mindset, and what it takes to perform over such a long day on the trails.We also discuss his outstanding recent results, including 3rd place at the Arc of Attrition 2025 and 2nd place at the

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00:39:35

Sarah's UTMB Mozart 100 Debrief 5th place

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/05/25

Sarah finished 5th female at Mozart 100 by UTMB — a 120km mountain ultra in the Austrian Alps with long climbs, technical descents and a strong international field.In this episode we break down the whole experience:race week preparation and kit decisionsmanaging training around work and family lifepreparing for Alpine races while living on the South Downshow the climbs and descents compared to UK racepacing, fuelling and race strategywhere the race got difficultand what a result like this means only

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01:05:43

Ultra Running, Addiction & Escapism | The World’s...

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/05/11

This week on Trails, Tales & Fails, Max and Rob dive into a more honest conversation around ultra running, routines, streaks, escapism, addiction, and why endurance sport can sometimes become far more than “just running.”Why do runners become obsessed with structure?Why do 4am alarms, endless training blocks, and planning life around races somehow start to feel normal?And where’s the line between discipline, coping mechanism, identity, and unhealthy obsession?This isn’t a clinical conversation

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01:04:00

Karla Borland: Thames Path 100🏅

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/05/05

In this ep, Max, Sarah and Rob are joined by Karla Borland — a runner whose results over the last 12 months have been steadily climbing, putting her firmly on the trajectory to becoming one of the standout performers in UK ultra running.In that time, Karla has put together some seriously impressive performances:4th place at the South Downs Way 100 in 17:52 in a stacked field1st place at the Hundred Hills 50 in 4:37And most recently, the win at the Centurion Thames Path 100 in 17:21Thames Path is a

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01:28:44

Anxiety In Running - You're Not Alone

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/04/29

Anxiety in running is far more common than most people admit — and when we asked you about it on Instagram, the response was big.In this episode, it’s just us — no guest — having a proper, honest conversation about the different types of anxiety runners experience. From imposter syndrome and fear of injury, to getting lost mid-race, toilet disasters and Strava anxiety.We break it all down — what these anxieties actually look like, why they show up, and how we deal with them both as runners and from

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01:32:36

From Family Life to the Sahara: Taking on Marathon...

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/04/20

What happens when you combine young kids, an international move, and one of the toughest endurance races on the planet?In this episode, Max and Sarah were joined by Josie Kaufmann and Michael Canil — a husband and wife duo who recently relocated from Australia to rural France and took on the legendary Marathon des Sables.Often called the “toughest footrace on Earth,” MDS is a self-sufficient, multi-stage ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert — testing not just physical endurance, but planning,

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01:07:03

Kirsty Taylor: Sea to Sea 300km

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/04/13

When a race disappears… do you still show up?In this episode, we sit down with ultra runner Kirsty Taylor to unpack one of the most unique and unpredictable race experiences you’ll hear this year.Kirsty recently took on the Sea to Sea — a brutal 300km challenge — but this wasn’t quite the experience she signed up for. Just weeks before the start, Ourea Events ceased trading, throwing plans into chaos and leaving runners facing a completely different reality. What followed was a stripped-back event

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01:08:00

Louise Fraser: Aid Stations At 2AM

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/03/31

This episode is about the people you don’t always see… but who make everything possible.We’re joined by Louise Fraser — a long-time volunteer and familiar face in the Centurion Running community. If you’ve ever run a Centurion race, chances are she’s been there at an aid station — handing you a cup of Coke, filling flasks, offering a bit of calm, and delivering exactly the words you needed at the right moment.We dive into:What really goes on behind the scenes at ultra racesThe humour, and powerful

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01:16:46

Noor van der Veen: Barkley Marathons

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/02/26

This week we’re joined by Dutch ultra runner Noor Van der Veen, who has taken on some of the most demanding races on the planet — including Tor des Géants, Arc of Attrition 100 ), UTMB, and a full FKT of the Pyrenees. Most recently, she stepped up to the start line of the legendary Barkley Marathons.We dive into her background, her mindset, and what it really takes to tackle extreme endurance challenges. Plus — our usual icebreakers and a quickfire round to finish.This episode is supported by Runr —

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01:18:18

Ben Potts: The Full Winter Spine Race

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast ·

2026/02/12

This week on Trails, Tales & Fails, we’re joined by Ben Potts — ultra runner, friend, and fresh off an incredible 12th-place finish at the Full Spine.The Full Spine is one of the toughest endurance races on the planet: 268 miles/431km, 10,700m+ of elevation, winter conditions, sleep deprivation, and relentless forward motion. Ben takes us inside the race — how he prepared, how he managed fatigue over multiple days, the mental battles that matter most, and what events like the Spine and Dragon’s Back

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