She’s back!

In this episode of the RUNcensored Podcast, Ben and Gary catch up with Kay Hawke from British Orienteering — one of our most popular past guests — to find out why orienteering is exploding in popularity and how it can seriously level up your trail and ultra running.

Kay explains how combining navigation with endurance creates the perfect mental and physical challenge for runners, and why “getting lost” might actually be the best training you can do.

We talk about everything from Street-O showdowns and European city races that start in police stations, to the mindset of staying competitive, motivated and just a little bit obsessed with maps.

Here’s what’s inside this episode 👇

🧭 Why orienteering is the secret training tool for trail and ultra runners

📍 How navigation sharpens focus, confidence and decision-making

🏃‍♀️ Red Courses explained — and why they’re perfect for trail runners

💡 How to pick the right event (and avoid getting discouraged)

🏅 Competition vs enjoyment — does winning really matter?

🌍 European orienteering: from Belgium’s beer races to Gdansk city adventures

🎒 Using SI Entries to find local, affordable events every week

🏫 How schools and communities could use orienteering to get more kids outdoors

⚡ The reality of UK funding and why media coverage could change everything

🍺 Ben and Gary’s Street-O stories, geocache fails, and questionable map reading

🔥 A preview of the ‘Quid Games’ Orienteering Event at Kendal Mountain Festival

Whether you’re training for your next mountain ultra or just love the idea of running with a purpose, this one will make you see trail running — and getting lost — in a whole new light.

🎧 Listen now to EP48: “Getting Lost Made Me Faster: How Orienteering Can Transform Your Trail Running”

#trailrunning #ultrarunning #orienteering #britishorienteering #streeto #fellrunning #trailrunner #runningpodcast #navigation #mapreading #kendalmountainfestival #offroadrunning #trailrunninguk #runningmotivation #RUNcensored

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Gary are back together for a proper catch-up after a busy few weeks of racing, training and, in Ben’s case, accidentally taking his dogs to a no-dogs event.

Ben dives into his experiences at the British Fell Relay Championships and Trofeo Vanoni in Italy — talking about the atmosphere, navigation challenges, and why he keeps going back year after year. He also shares what’s next for the UK trail scene with new teams and more women joining the sport.

Gary’s been getting ready for Quid Games, mixing up his training with Zwift racing and strength work to stay motivated through winter.

The lads also break down some of the latest headlines in trail and ultra running, including:

• Sarah Webster’s gold medal and world-class performance at the 24-hour World Championships
• Sarah Perry’s record-breaking Backyard Ultra
• Remi Bonnet’s insane new VK world record
• The ongoing Strava vs Garmin legal drama

It’s an episode packed with results, records and plenty of laughs — the unfiltered runner’s podcast you didn’t know you needed.

#trailrunning #ultrarunning #runningpodcast #fellrunning #RUNcensored

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Evans & Ruth Crofts secret UTMB nutrition strategy

This week on RUNcensored, Gary and Ben sit down with Paul Booth — Lead Nutritionist for Salomon and Sports Nutrition Researcher at the University of Leeds — to explore how elite fuelling strategies can transform the way we all train and race.

Paul has worked directly with Tom Evans and Ruth Croft, the male and female winners of this year’s UTMB in Chamonix, helping them perfect their race-day nutrition through gut training, carbohydrate loading, and precision hydration.

In this conversation, Paul breaks down how he guided Tom to consume 120g of carbs per hour, how Ruth adapted her fuelling to increase performance, and the science behind glucose–fructose ratios, hydration,heat tolerance, and altitude testing.

He also explains what everyday runners can take from the elite level — from how to avoid stomach issues in long events to simple strategies for improving recovery, energy management, and consistency.

It’s a deep dive into the science of endurance nutrition and the fascinating intersection of research and real-world racing.

🎧 New episodes every Tuesday. Watch and listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and everywhere else you get your podcasts.

#RUNcensored #UTMB #trailrunning #ultrarunning #TomEvans #RuthCroft #nutrition #runningpodcast #endurance #marathontraining #sportsnutrition #guttraining #Salomon #fuelling

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Gary and Ben are joined by Holly Wootten, who made history at the 2025 Dragon’s Back Race®, finishing first woman and second overall, setting a new women’s record in the process.

The Dragon’s Back is one of the toughest mountain races in the world — six relentless days running the length of Wales, from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle, across wild ridgelines, brutal climbs and unpredictable weather. Holly talks us through the highs, lows and everything in between.

She shares how she approached the race with a plan to compete with the men, how she handled the pressure of leading, and the mental and physical battles that come with stage racing. From camp life and gear setup to racing injured on the final day, this is a story of sheer determination and belief.

Holly’s performance was extraordinary — 50:46:16, over three hours faster than the previous women’s record set by Lisa Watson in 2022. She dominated from the start, finishing just behind men’s winner David Parrish, and ahead of a strong field including Jodie Gauld and Lianne Van Dijk.

Expect honest chat about:

• What it takes to race the Dragon
• The reality of multi-day ultras
• Women competing at the sharp end
• How mindset and navigation can make or break your week
• And why Holly still finished strong after injury on day five

This is a deep dive into one of the most inspiring performances in UK ultra running.

🎙 Hosted by Gary House and Ben Mounsey

🎧 Watch and listen on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT&si=jjt-sW_XAm-5nz4y

#TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #DragonsBackRace #HollyWootten #RUNcensored #MountainRunning #EnduranceRunning #Podcast

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to compete with the world’s best trail runners?

In this episode, Gary and Ben sit down with Team GB trail runner Hugh Chatfield, who has just returned from the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc, Spain, where he finished 12th in the Men’s Long Trail 80k.

Hugh talks about the balance between working full-time and training like a professional, the sacrifices it takes to reach elite level, and the mental and physical toll of competing on the world stage. He shares insights from his altitude training camp, his nutrition strategy (including an app he built himself), and the challenges of being a self-funded athlete representing Great Britain.

Expect honest chat about sponsors, pressure, and passion for the sport — plus what’s next for Hugh as he plans another season of big European ultras.

#TrailRunning #UltraRunning #HughChatfield #TeamGB #WorldChampionships #MountainRunning #RUNcensored

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gary’s viral Tor des Géants video of a runner cutting corners blew up online — and in this episode, he and Ben dive deep into the messy world of cheating in trail running.

From infamous cases like Rob Young’s faked Race Across America to the two brothers caught at South Africa’s Comrades Ultra, this one’s full of jaw-dropping stories and a few personal confessions. Gary also talks about his experience catching a JOGLE runner falsifying Strava data, while Ben reveals his role as the Strava Police.

They also explore the psychology behind cheating — from catfishing and Tinder swindlers to how sponsorships can be affected by fake data.

💬 Got your own story? The lads want to hear your best examples of running “cheats” for a future episode.

🎙️ Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

📺 Watch the full video version on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT&si=jjt-sW_XAm-5nz4y

#trailrunning #ultrarunning #runcensoredpodcast #garyhouse #benmounsey #runningcommunity #tordesgeants #ultrarunner #strava #cheatinginrunning

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The RUNcensored crew are back from their break with a brand new episode — and it’s a big one.

Gary, Ben and Chris pick up right where they left off with the usual mix of banter, stories and raw honesty about the world of trail, fell and ultra running.

☕ General chat – The lads ease back in with holiday catch-ups and even a heated debate about coffee machines.

🧭 Ben on orienteering – After Kay from British Orienteering joined the pod earlier this year, listeners have been inspired to try it for themselves. Ben shares his recent experiences at orienteering events and why the sport is such a good crossover for trail runners.

🎬 Events on the horizon – Updates on Quid Games 2 and the Kendal Mountain Festival.

🏔 Gary’s Tor des Géants – Gary takes us through his week in Italy, from supporting friends who were hit by a virus to his own meticulous preparation. He then opens up about how that same virus caught up with him during the 330km race, forcing him to withdraw. The conversation dives into the physical toll, the emotional impact of a DNF, and what comes next.

🌍 World Championships chat – The lads break down the wide range of races on offer this year, from the uphill to the short and long ultras. They ask whether too many options are diluting the fields, talk about prize money, and compare it all to the UTMB.

👟 Athletes and results – Spotlight on Rémi Bonnet, predictions on who might win, Ben reeling off results and finish times, and a frank chat on funding, sponsorship and media coverage.

This one’s got everything: big race talk, personal stories, and the kind of unfiltered banter that makes RUNcensored different.

#ultrarunning #trailrunning #tordesgeants #fellrunning #orienteering #worldchampionships #utmb #mountainrunning #runningpodcast #runcensored

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gary is in Italy tackling the legendary Tor des Géants ultra marathon, while Ben and Chris are away on holiday – so the full RUNcensored podcast will return on Tuesday 30th September.

Until then, here’s another highlights package packed with laughs and classic moments from the sofa:

• Eorl Crabtree and the hilarious fat Robbie Savage story
• Mel Sykes on the highs, lows and hallucinations of the Lakeland 100
• Huw Williams and his unforgettable seagull punch tale
• Ben Mounsey vs a herd of cows in the fells

Whether you’re into trail running, ultra running or just a good laugh, this episode has it all – raw, unfiltered and straight from the RUNcensored archive.

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Best Bits: Trail Running Fails, Spine Race Stories & Fell Running Heroes | RUNcensored EP40

We’ve hit pause on new recordings this week with both Gary and Ben out of the country – so here’s something special: the very best bits from three of our most talked-about trail running episodes.

First up, Danny Andrews (aka the Fish and a Rice Cake guy) shares his hilarious trail race fail in the Lake District – full kit, full send… and nearly collapsing on the first climb. He also explains why his mum never misses a chance to tell people he’s got six GCSEs.

Next, we revisit Mel Sykes’ unforgettable account of the legendary Spine Race, including what it’s really like to push through 268 miles across the Pennine Way – and why she ended up sleeping on a toilet floor mid-race.

Finally, Tom Addison takes us back to his youth, growing up in the heart of fell running culture, idolising the sport’s big names, and discovering what it means to be part of the UK mountain running scene.

If you’re into trail running, ultramarathons, fell racing or just love hearing raw, unfiltered stories from the sport, this mash-up episode brings the laughs, the grit and the inspiration.

🎧 Featuring highlights from Episodes 22, 23 and 30.

#trailrunning #ultrarunning #fellrunning #spinerace #runningpodcast

#ultrarunning #ultramarathon #trailrunning #fellrunning #mountainrunning #longdistancerunning #enduranceathlete #ultrarunner #spinerace #pennineway #trailrunnersofinstagram #ultralife #trailcommunity #runnersofinstagram #runhappy #ultrarunninglife #ultrarunningcommunity #trailrunninglife #runwild #runnerslife #mountainrunner #runnerscommunity #runningmotivation #trailrace #ultraracing #enduranceathlete #runultra #marathontraining #trailculture #ultrarunningnation #runnersworld #ultrarun #offroadrunning #trailrunners #runnershigh #longrun #ultrarunnersofinstagram #trailrunningmotivation #ultrarunnerlife #fellrunners #mountainrunninglife #uktrailrunning #ukultrarunning #runningpodcast #runningstories #trailrunningcommunity #endurancechallenge #runnersjourney #neverstoprunning #mountainadventures

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the biggest week in trail running — UTMB in Chamonix. Gary, Ben, Chris and guest Rich Gill share the highs and lows of UTMB 2025: from the wild crowds at Notre-Dame de la Gorge to 24-hour filming missions in the Alps. A behind-the-scenes look at the world’s most iconic ultramarathon.

They call it the biggest week in trail running — and for good reason.

This week, Gary and Ben sit down in Chamonix with Chris and friend of the podcast Rich Gill (Gilly Photography) to relive the madness of UTMB 2025. Recorded in Chris’s apartment during race week, it’s an unfiltered chat about the highs, lows, and everything in between.

From the electric night-time crowds at Notre-Dame de la Gorge, to chasing runners through the Alps for sponsors, we dig into what it really feels like to be in Chamonix during UTMB. There are stories of 24-hour filming missions in a Grenadier truck with the SunGod crew, freezing mountain shoots in the middle of the night, and the rare moments where we found time for a quiet beer before the next race kicked off.

We talk about the scale of UTMB, the atmosphere around the UTMB, CCC, OCC, TDS, MCC and PTL, and the sheer energy that draws thousands of trail and ultrarunners to the foot of Mont Blanc every year. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest ultramarathon in the world, told with laughs, honesty, and the kind of detail only those on the ground can share.

Whether you’re a trail runner, mountain runner, ultrarunner, or just someone who dreams of toeing the line at UTMB one day, this is the inside story of what Chamonix feels like when the world of endurance running descends on it.

#UTMB #UTMB2025 #UltraRunning #TrailRunning #Ultramarathon #Chamonix #UltraTrail #MountainRunning #EnduranceRunning #LongDistanceRunning #RunningPodcast #UltraRunningPodcast #TrailRunningPodcast #RUNcensored #UTMBChamonix

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He lined up in Chamonix against the best in the world — but UTMB had other plans.

This week, Gary and Ben are joined by elite runner Andy Berry, fresh from racing the UTMB. Andy takes us inside his race — from broken poles that forced him to borrow Ben’s, to the brutal climbs and aid stations, to the moment he eventually had to step off the course. It’s a raw and honest account of what it really feels like to take on the world’s most hyped ultra and walk away with a DNF.

Alongside Andy’s story, Gary and Ben reflect on a whirlwind week working with Sportsshoes and HOKA, while Chris shares the reality of being thrown straight into a 24-hour filming mission for Sportsshoes.com and SunGod sunglasses with barely an hour’s sleep.

But make no mistake — the spotlight here is on Andy. This is the unfiltered truth of what it’s like to run, suffer, and ultimately DNF at the UTMB.

Sponsored by Garmin and the all-new Fenix 8 watch.

#UTMB #UTMB2025 #Chamonix #AndyBerry #TrailRunning #UltraRunning #UltraMarathon #DNF #RunningPodcast #RUNcensored #GaryHouse #BenMounsey #SportsShoes #HOKA #GarminFenix8

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

446 Mountains. One Mission. Alex Staniforth on Project 446 & Mental Resilience 

He failed on Everest. Twice. But that didn’t stop him setting out to climb all 446 mountains in England and Wales.

This week, Gary and Ben are joined on the sofa by adventurer, ultra runner, author, and mental health campaigner Alex Staniforth. Alex’s journey has been anything but straightforward. At 16 he was sidelined by injury, at 18 he attempted Everest twice — both times turned back by tragedy and disaster. Those experiences might have ended most people’s ambitions. For Alex, they became the spark for something bigger.

From the National Three Peaks to his latest mission, Project 446, Alex has built a life around testing limits, learning from setbacks, and finding purpose in adversity. Along the way he’s battled anxiety, eating disorders, and lives with epilepsy, but has turned those challenges into fuel for inspiring others.

In this unfiltered conversation Alex opens up about:

– The shift from Everest dreams to UK-based challenges

– How the Three Peaks prepared him for something bigger

– The highs, lows and hallucinations of Project 446

– Fuelling on chickpea curry, Celia’s pizza and yellow-sticker bargains

– Saying “no” when sponsors told him to quit

– Living and running with epilepsy

– The big goals still to come

Alex is also co-founder of Mind Over Mountains, a charity bringing people together to improve mental health through walking and talking in nature. His story is a reminder that the toughest mountains aren’t always physical.

Find out more about Alex and Project 446 here: https://www.alexstaniforth.com/

#Project446 #AlexStaniforth #RUNcensored #TrailRunning #UltraRunning #MountainRunning #EnduranceRunning #ThreePeaksChallenge #MentalHealthAwareness #EpilepsyAwareness #AdventureMindset #RunningPodcast #Resilience #FellRunning #ClimbEveryMountain

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strava W*nkers, Dream Races & Downhill Carnage | RUNcensored EP36

Gary House and Ben Mounsey are back with another Chat GBT special – this time joined by ultrarunner Mel Sykes – answering listener questions on all things trail, fell and ultra running. Expect laughs, strong opinions, and one of the funniest reveals in podcast history: the truth behind the infamous Strava W*nkers account 👀.

This wide-ranging episode dives into the best midweek summer races in the UK, the chaos of downhill-only races like the Trifan Dash, and why smaller fell races are struggling in the era of big-name ultras. The team debate the most reliable running vests and race packs for everything from short mountain races to epic multi-day events, and argue over which single race they’d choose if it was their last: UTMB, the Winter Spine, or Western States.

There’s also advice for beginners – including an ex-professional rugby player starting from scratch – and hard-earned lessons from multi-day stage races like the Dragon’s Back Race. Along the way, Gary, Ben and Mel trade stories about dot-watching culture, sleeping on toilet floors, and whether running should be about bucket-list ticks or the pure challenge of the mountains.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

😂 The truth about Strava Wankers – revealed at last

🏔️ The best midweek summer fell races (Blencathra, Holmfrith, Trifan Dash)

💨 Downhill-only chaos – including records, injuries & local legends

🎒 Race packs & running vests – Salomon, Innov-8, and the quirkiest kit hacks

🔥 One last race: UTMB vs Western States vs Winter Spine

💪 Advice for new runners & ex-rugby pros transitioning to running

🌙 How to survive multi-day ultras like Dragon’s Back & Spine

🎶 Oasis gigs, Stone Roses, and music vs mountain miles

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re passionate about trail running, fell running, mountain marathons or ultra marathons, this episode has everything – from gear chat and training tips to race stories and pure comedy. With UTMB 2025 in Chamonix just around the corner, the big question is: will RUNcensored be there to cover the action live?

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UTMB 2025 Preview & The Truth About Gary and Harrier Trail Running

Gary’s been injured, he’s been running with mates Rich Lazenby and Rich Gill… and he’s got a story to tell. Spoiler: it involves UTMB, Chamonix, and getting sacked.

This week, the lads are talking all things UTMB 2025 — from race week in Chamonix to altitude training in Tignes — with plenty of gossip about working with brands, new shoe drops, and what really happens behind the sponsorship deals. Ben shares the inside scoop from filming with Jim Walmsley and the Hoka team, plus why his one-take Instagram reel went viral.

They break down UTMB race week day-by-day, talk English Fell Running Championship drama, and even tease a mystery new product they’ve been testing. Will RUNcensored make it to Chamonix to record live? Listen and find out.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

💥 Gary’s injury update and running with Rich Lazenby & Rich Gill

🏔️ Gary’s race in Chamonix & altitude training lessons

🚪 Why Gary’s departure from Harrier Trail Running wasn’t his choice

🎥 Ben’s pre-UTMB trip to Chamonix, St Gervais & Tignes with Hoka

👟 New shoe releases and gear chat

🎬 One-take Instagram reel with Jim Walmsley

📱 Gary’s advice on making great Instagram reels

🤝 Ben’s blueprint for getting sponsored by a running brand

💼 Big discussion: how to work with brands without losing your soul

📅 UTMB race week – how it all works & the Francesco Puppi Strava segment

🕵️ Teasing a secret new product they’re testing

🏪 How Sportsshoes.com are gearing up for UTMB week

🏆 English Fell Running Championships – Ben Rothery vs Finlay Grant, decided by 20 seconds

🔮 Predictions for who will crush UTMB 2025

🎤 Will there be a RUNcensored podcast recorded live in Chamonix?

Why You Should Listen:

If you love trail and ultra running, UTMB week in Chamonix, or want the inside scoop on working with big brands like Hoka, this episode is for you. You’ll hear unfiltered race stories, sponsorship advice, gear talk, and a behind-the-scenes look at the most exciting week in trail running.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rugby Legend Eorl Crabtree & Mel Sykes on Lakeland 100, Fuelling for Ultras & THAT Chant.

He’s 6’6”, 20 stone, and used to batter people for a living. Now he’s thinking about running 50 miles.

This week, Gary and Ben are joined by returning guest Mel Sykes and her lifelong mate, former rugby league star Eorl Crabtree. What starts as friendly banter quickly turns into a raw, funny, and surprisingly emotional deep-dive into life after elite sport, why running messes with your head, and what happens when your body doesn’t match your ambitions.

Eorl opens up about leaving rugby behind, getting heckled by French fans, and how being called a “fat Robbie Savage” became part of his legacy. Mel reflects on her latest Lakeland 100 adventure, including why she ran the whole thing without a watch and how she fuels on flapjack instead of gels.

They also unpack the weird rituals of gym culture, the pressure to perform after fame, and why data might be ruining the fun in both rugby and running. Expect brutal honesty, big laughs, and a lot of Yorkshire sarcasm.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏉 Eorl’s rugby career, French crowd abuse & mid-speech chaos

🤣 The real story behind “Fat Robbie Savage”

💪 Life after pro sport – body image, motivation, and gym insecurities

🏃‍♀️ Mel’s return to Lakeland 100 and her “run by feel” strategy

🍰 Why she fuels with real food (and hates gels)

📉 Is data killing sport?

💬 Why runners need to laugh more and stress less

🤝 The difference between team sport and solo ultras

🥵 Eorl’s first 30K run and why ultras are terrifying

👀 Mel’s savage honesty about pain, pacing, and personal growth

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a professional rugby player tries to understand ultra running — or how an elite runner fuels with flapjack instead of science — this episode delivers. It’s about identity, friendship, brutal races, and finding joy in the mess of it all.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He’s battling stage 4 cancer. But that hasn’t stopped him building the most inclusive ultra in the world.

This week, Gary and Ben sit down with Huw Williams – Welsh event organiser, founder of Beautifully Brutal Events, and the driving force behind the SHE Ultra. Known for his wild storytelling, unapologetic honesty, and community-first ethos, Huw is creating trail races that are about more than just finish times.

From living with a terminal diagnosis to punching a seagull in Venice while eating a sandwich with Liz McColgan, this one has it all. But underneath the laughs is a serious mission: to make trail running safer, more inclusive, and a lifeline for women affected by cancer.

Huw shares how the SHE Ultra came to life, why men aren’t allowed in certain zones, and how his team is training nurses to care for runners at remote checkpoints. We also get a glimpse into his new Portugal event, his plans for a Race Across Wales, and why you won’t find Beautifully Brutal on Facebook.

We talk cancer, community, legacy, logistics, and how a brutally honest approach to life can change everything.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏃 The ethos behind Beautifully Brutal Events

🧠 Living with cancer and using it as fuel

🚫 Why no race credits and no Facebook

👟 How the SHE Ultra is designed around safety, care, and real inclusion

🇵🇹 Launching a Portugal SHE Ultra with on-site childcare

💉 Supporting nurses, survivors, and smaller cancer charities

🎉 The medal ceremony… before the race starts

🏡 Running through his ex-wife’s house (on her birthday)

🥪 The Liz McColgan sandwich + seagull attack story

🧯 Space suits, fireworks, and Coast Guard callouts

🍟 The finish line chip shop and vinegar moment

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever thought trail running needed a shake-up, or wondered how to make events truly inclusive, Huw’s vision will stay with you. This episode is raw, funny, emotional, and a reminder that the most powerful races aren’t about splits — they’re about people.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: Meet Huw Williams

05:10 - Building Beautifully Brutal & supporting local

12:50 - How the SHE Ultra started

20:30 - Living with cancer and giving back

29:45 - Running through his ex’s house & making races personal

37:30 - The Liz McColgan story and Venice chaos

43:55 - SHE Ultra Portugal & protecting community vibes

52:40 - Race Across Wales, Classic 75, and new events

59:15 - Nurses, crèches and survivor support

01:08:00 - Legacy, letting go & no social media

🔗 Follow Beautifully Brutal Events:

Website: https://www.beautifullybrutal.co.uk

Instagram: @beautifully_brutal_events

#HuwWilliams #SHEUltra #BeautifullyBrutal #TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #RunningPodcast #CancerSupport #WomensRunning #RaceAcrossWales #PortugalUltra #LizMcColgan #RUNcensored #InclusiveRunning #CommunityRunning

RUNcensored Podcast 🎙

The unfiltered running podcast with Gary House & Ben Mounsey — honest chats with athletes, coaches and characters from the world of running.

👉 Subscribe and leave us a review — it helps more runners find the show.

👉 Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUNcensored

👉 Listen to all episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGfMfc5i9Q&list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

👉 Have your say in our listener survey: http://bit.ly/runcensored-survey

🌍 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runcensoredpod

📩 Get in touch: info@runcensored.com

Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

www.eastwood-media.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He ended up in intensive care after an Ironman. But that didn’t stop him.

This week, Gary and Ben sit down with Paul Tierney – former Irish county hurler turned elite ultra-runner, coach, and record-breaker. From the sidelines of team sport to the solitude of the mountains, Paul has carved a life around endurance, coaching, and community – but not without setbacks.

Paul shares how a stint in Australia kickstarted his love for endurance sport, how a brush with death changed his perspective forever, and why a documentary about the Lake District made him pack up his life and move. Now a respected running coach with clients around the world, Paul opens up about the myths of perfect form, the dangers of one-size-fits-all coaching, and why failure has been his best teacher.

We talk coaching, movement quality, social media misinformation, injury recovery, and how to build a strong mind andbody through running – without obsessing over it.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏑 From county hurling to Ironman

🏥 Surviving hyponatremia and landing in ICU

🏔️ Discovering the Lake District and the Lakeland 100

🧭 Getting lost with no map skills and a second-hand compass

🧠 Why coaching is more about communication than correction

📱 The problem with Instagram advice

🦵 Strength work, ankle stiffness and plyometrics

🩹 Injury, rehab and athlete buy-in

😂 Humour, humility and lifelong learning

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever questioned your training, felt overwhelmed by online advice, or struggled to come back from injury – Paul’s honest, practical approach will give you a fresh perspective. This episode is about mindset, movement, and the messy reality of progress.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe on Apple, Spotify & Acast!

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: From hurling to endurance

07:15 - ICU and hyponatremia

14:30 - Falling in love with the Lake District

21:00 - Lakeland 100 and early mountain race mistakes

27:45 - Becoming a coach and finding purpose

34:10 - Coaching philosophy and movement over mechanics

40:20 - Social media advice and form obsession

47:00 - Strength work that actually helps

53:25 - The rehab mindset and listening to athletes

60:00 - Final thoughts and what keeps him going

🔗 Follow Paul:

Instagram: @paulmissinglink

Website: www.missinglinkcoaching.co.uk

#PaulTierney #TrailRunning #UltraRunning #RunningCoach #FellRunning #EnduranceAthlete #Lakeland100 #Wainwrights #MountainRunning #RUNcensored #RunningPodcast #StrengthAndConditioning #InjuryRecovery #Hyponatremia #Inov8

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He won the English Fell Running Champs. Then he walked away from the sport completely.

This week, Gary and Ben are joined by Tom Addison — a runner many will remember for dominating the UK fell scene, taking the 2014 national title and chasing England vests throughout his teens and twenties. But this episode isn’t about medals. It’s about what comes after them.

Tom talks openly about the obsession that fuelled his running career, the burnout that followed, and the panic attacks that forced him to step away from the sport he loved. From racing at Wooden Tops as a kid to rebuilding his life through boxing, therapy, and fine furniture making, this is a story of reinvention with no filter.

We talk fell running culture, junior club racing, mental health, identity, and why sometimes walking away is the bravest decision of all.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

👟 Growing up in a fell running family and club culture

🇬🇧 Earning his first England vest at 15

🏆 Winning the English Champs in 2014 – and what it really cost

😰 The mental and emotional crash that followed

🥊 Boxing, woodworking, and rebuilding structure

🪵 Finding purpose through craft and creativity

👨‍👩‍👧 Family, fatherhood, and a new definition of success

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever tied your identity to your sport, battled burnout, or wondered what’s next after the peak — Tom’s story will hit home. A champion’s journey, with all the pressure and none of the gloss.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

00:00 - Intro: From fell running to fine furniture

02:23 - Childhood in a fell running family

06:40 - Early nerves and racing for Helm Hill

09:50 - Junior coaching and Billy Proctor’s role

13:40 - First England vest at 15 years old

17:00 - Watching Rob Jebb and chasing national teams

20:30 - 2014: Winning the English Championship

26:45 - Balancing training with a manual job

30:20 - The obsessive mindset and burnout

34:50 - Panic attacks and personal upheaval

39:40 - Boxing for structure and recovery

43:15 - How woodworking became his new focus

48:10 - Craftsmanship and striving for quality

52:20 - Instagram, identity and validation

56:45 - Fatherhood and redefining ambition

01:01:20 - Closing thoughts and what’s next

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“He Wore What at Western States?!” – Race Kit Chaos, Mont-Blanc Mayhem & Double Bob Drama

This week’s episode is a no-guest, no-filter deep dive into the latest chaos from the world of trail and mountain running.

Gary, Ben and Chris catch up on everything from racing disasters to record controversies — and yes, that Nike crochet top worn by Caleb Olson at Western States.

Ben recaps his latest block of orienteering and fell races, including a brutal run at the Mont-Blanc Half Marathon in 30-degree heat. Gary talks about getting back to mountain training in Snowdonia, climbing Tryfan and battling with Strava’s dodgy “moving time” stats.

There’s also a full Western States recap, from Kilian Jornet’s performance in the Kjerag 2s to Abby Hall’s dominant win — plus some big chat on New Balance’s rise, the growing African presence in trail running, and what the pro scene looks like in 2025.

Also: Faith Kipyegon’s sub-4 mile event, the exoskeleton suit Ben wants to wear on a Bob Graham, and the unfortunate running trend of… penis exposure mid-race. You’ve been warned.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏔️ Gary’s Snowdonia training & Strava rage

🧭 Ben’s orienteering meltdown & Mont-Blanc heat

🎽 Western States recap – Caleb Olson, Kilian & kit chat

👟 New Balance’s dominance & pro team tactics

🌍 The rise of African talent in trail racing

🔥 Faith Kipyegon’s sub-4 event & Nike’s marketing machine

🫣 Double Bob Graham drama – should it count?

🍆 Race-day wardrobe malfunctions & goldfish hydration hacks

Why You Should Listen:

Trail running is changing fast — and this episode dives into all the messy, funny, and downright bizarre sides of it. Whether you’re training for UTMB, doing your first fell race, or just here for the penis jokes, Episode 30 delivers full chaos with zero filter.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Why We Hate Cruises

04:05 – Gary’s Return to Training in Snowdonia

07:47 – Strava Lies & Moving Time Frustrations

10:55 – Ben’s Racing Madness & Orienteering Meltdown

11:12 – Mont-Blanc Weekend & Ben’s Half Marathon

11:20 – Western States Chat Begins

17:32 – Kilian Jornet & The UTMB Debate

19:20 – Coverage & Spectacle of Western States

20:08 – New Balance’s Rise in Trail Running

28:52 – Transgrancanaria Finish & Strategy Talk

29:55 – Marathon du Mont-Blanc Winners Recap

30:07 – Kenyan Talent & Women’s Race at Mont-Blanc

52:48 – Double Bob Graham Record & Caspian James

56:06 – Should the Record Count? The 24-Hour Debate

1:00:30 – Penis Fails & Race Kit Disasters

#RUNcensored #TrailRunning #WesternStates100 #MontBlancMarathon #FellRunning #RunningPodcast #KilianJornet #CalebOlson #UTMB #SnowdoniaRunning #StravaFails #CaspianJames #DoubleBobGraham #NewBalanceTrail #FaithKipyegon #RaceKitFails #UltraRunning #PenisIncidents #ExoskeletonRunning #OrienteeringFails #GaryHouse #BenMounsey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I Just Thought I Was Being Disciplined” – George Foster on Red-S, Recovery & Racing Culture

This week’s guest is George Foster — elite fell runner, fifth-fastest Bob Graham Round finisher in history, and a man with hard-earned wisdom on the dangers of pushing too far.

In his first RUNcensored appearance, George joins Gary and Ben to talk about the performance-cost of under-fuelling. What starts as a light-hearted chat quickly digs into how a calorie deficit, mistaken for discipline, led to serious health consequences. It’s an unfiltered conversation about the pressures of the running world, how easily things can tip into disordered habits — and what recovery really looks like.

Alongside this, we dive into George’s recent race at Trofeo Nasego in Italy, a brutal European mountain running classic featuring a Vertical Kilometre and a technical up-and-down course. He explains the unique challenge of VKs, and how the European race scene compares to the UK’s.

There’s also big opinions on kit, club colours, and whether poles belong on a Bob Graham Round — plus the usual laughter, roastings, and chaos you expect from RUNcensored.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

⚠️ George’s experience with Red-S and why awareness matters

⛰️ European mountain races: VKs, altitude, and race culture

🥣 Under-fuelling, false discipline, and the path to recovery

🏃‍♂️ George’s take on the Bob Graham Round and use of poles

🎽 Debates on kit, club rules, and racing etiquette

😂 Gear mistakes, roastings, and classic trail running chaos

Why You Should Listen:

This episode tackles serious issues in endurance sport with honesty and humour. Whether you’re training for your next big race or figuring out how to fuel properly, George’s story will hit home. Unfiltered, insightful, and essential listening for runners at every level.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

00:00 - Intro & Banter

01:32 - Race Stories & Lessons Learned

01:54 - Mental Strategies

05:37 - George’s Background

22:42 - Gear Talk

27:27 - Training Philosophy

49:56 - Nutrition & Recovery

01:15:56 - Rapid-Fire Finale

01:22:05 - Wrap-Up & What’s Next

#RUNcensored #TrailRunning #FellRunning #UltraRunning #RedS #RunningPodcast #GeorgeFoster #BobGrahamRound #TrofeoNasego #MountainRunning #VKRace #RunCulture #EatToPerform #ClubRunning

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.