Simon Freeman, editor and co-founder of popular running magazine Like the Wind, joins us this week to talk about storytelling, running and his love for books and the analogue that led him to create and launch a print magazine at a time where people were saying print was dead and digital media was taking over. We discuss what it was like to launch a magazine as a publishing novice, focused on the stories behind running and the meaning that running has to so many of us. We talk about what it...

Welcome to the first of our new season’s RunAlive Intervals. In these compact episodes, every tuesday we’re checking in with people who have inspiring stories or are making a difference in the world of running. This week we chat with Rick Jenner, CEO of ParkPlay, a multi-generational community initiative providing free, inclusive games in a park or public space every Saturday morning. By bringing local groups together to enjoy connecting with each other, ParkPlay is all about building...

We’re back for Season 3! And this week we sit down with Nicky Spinks, fell runner extraordinaire as she shares her journey from road running to fell running and setting the women’s records for the iconic major fell running challenges the Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley, and Ramsey rounds. Nicky gives us insights into how she tackles ultra marathons and her enjoyment of seeing more women joining the sport. She speaks with candour about going through breast cancer and how running remained a lifeline...

We're back for a special bonus episode where we're joined by Hannah Beecham, the visionary founder of RED January. Hannah's journey from personal experience to nationwide movement is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared passion. In her own words, "You don't need all the answers. Really surround yourself with people and collaborate, invite help, support." Hannah's insights into the importance of community, shared passion, and the ripple effect of belief are truly uplifting and...

Welcome back to the RunAlive Intervals, this week we’re looking back on Richard Askwith’s story of writing and running - it was fascinating to speak to Richard, because his books are so inspirational - and he’s obviously a deep thinker and investigator, and he’s someone who’s got a lot out of running, been able to apply it to other areas in life, and fully intends to continue to run for as long as he possibly can. We start this short episode by asking Richard what lessons he’s taken from...

Join us as we hear from Richard Askwith, a runner for 40 years and author of numerous books on the subject of running. Richard shares insights into his journey, from unintentionally intertwining personal tales about fell running in his book “Feet in the Clouds”, to exploring the challenges of ageing as a runner in “The Race Against Time.” This episode is full of fascinating stories about the world of running and writing, including the Bob Graham Round and Richard’s recent participation in the...

Welcome back to the RunAlive Intervals! This week we jump back into an excerpt from the interview with Charlotte Purdue. Charlotte has been raising the bar of British Marathon Running for many years, and she did it again earlier this year at the Berlin Marathon, running the second fastest British time ever - raising a bar that was then matched just a few days later. We talked to her about Berlin, about her coaching setup and about how she’s taken what she’s learnt from her own great coaches...

In this episode we talk to Charlotte Purdue, British marathon runner and running coach. Charlotte takes us through her remarkable career so far, including securing the second-best British Marathon time at the prestigious Berlin Marathon. Delve into the world of a dedicated athlete as she reveals the thrill of running faster, and the unique tradition of creating picture frames to immortalise the significance of major marathons. Charlotte discusses the evolving landscape of women's marathon...

How kind are you to yourself? Do you talk to yourself the way you'd talk to a friend or are you overly hard on yourself? For this RunAlive Interval, we welcome James Riley back to the podcast - our first repeat guest. James first joined us in Series 1 Episode 5, and talked about his transition from corporate accountancy to running his own running coaching business. We welcome him back for a quick catch up on how things have gone in year 1. We talk about how he's had to learn not to take...

RunFest Founder and Race Director Tom Bedford sits down this week to tell his story. Tom shares about his early days as a competitive runner, growing up with a world record breaking Dad and living and training with the legendary Mo Farah. We hear about his early athletic career, and how he once ran a sub 2:20 marathon for a bet! We get a behind the scenes view of what it took to organise the Olympic trials marathon at Kew Gardens during Covid, and we talk about what happens when things don’t...

Welcome back to the RunAlive Intervals, short clips of our longer episodes, which are perfect if you're pushed for time, or just want to get a flavour of the conversation. This week was a really special episode speaking with Jenny Nesbitt about her struggles with an eating disorder in her teens, and how running literally saved her life in that time. She believes in the power of never giving up, no matter what you're faced with, because you can go on to do more than you ever thought you...

This week we have something really special. We speak to Jenny Nesbitt, Welsh Commonwealth Games Finalist, about her story. Jenny gives an incredibly honest and vulnerable account of her running career so far, from struggling with an eating disorder in her teens to hitting success and the downward spiral which followed. She reflects on her most successful period in 2021, where she achieved significant personal bests and represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games, and the low that followed due...

Welcome back to the Run Alive intervals. It was so good this week to have Martin Yelling on the show. And the full interview is so rich in content we could have pulled out any number of clips from it - but we were struck and challenged by the clarity Martin spoke with about his approach to coaching - and it something you can apply as a coach, or at work as a leader or manager - even at home as a parent, that approach where we’re more interested in the life of the individual than their stated...

We're very excited to welcome Martin Yelling to the podcast! As host of the Marathon Talk Podcast, and London Marathon coach, Martin will be well known to many listeners. We talk to Martin about his approach to running and how that's changed over the years, His coaching mindset, and how he tries to do himself out of a job as a coach, and how he applies that same mindset to leadership of the charity he founded; Stormbreak. From the pursuit of seconds in his youth to a focus on the joy of...

In this clip of the RunAlive Podcast we talk to Zoe Doyle, European Masters Champion and British record holder about what it takes to juggle competing priorities of motherhood, training and her own dreams and goals. We hear how she had to push back against expectations when she needed to and how she carves out time to care for herself. We also hear about how important it is for her that her own children know that happiness is more important than success. Follow us on social media: You can...

We speak to Zoe Doyle, Masters athlete and middle-distance running sensation. Zoe discusses her late start in the world of professional running and her awe-inspiring achievements since then, including double masters world titles in the 1500m and 3k in 2019. Since we spoke to her she’s also gone on to win double gold medals at the European Masters in the 800 and 1500.   But Zoe's story isn't just about medals and glory as she shares about overcoming health issues, self-limiting beliefs, and...

In this clip Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley and Shadow Secretary for Security, talks about the importance of integrity and honesty in politics, and how running gives him the space to recharge, and think. We started by asking him how he maintained the morale of his team, as Mayor of South Yorkshire, during the Covid pandemic.  Follow us on social media: You can drop us a DM, send us a picture or tag us on instagram, linkedin, twitter or tiktok or send us an email: [email protected] This...

Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley Central and Shadow Security Minister shares insights on the challenges of frontbench politics and his unwavering commitment to running, even during the busiest of times. Dan recounts his experiences as a former soldier, including his deployment to the Helmand province in 2007. Discover how running became a lifeline in the midst of the daily challenges and dangers of serving in a war zone. As Dan shares his journey, we explore the enduring impact of these...

In this first of our new weekly RunAlive Intervals, listen to this excerpt of our conversation with Beth Potter, where she shares her story of getting into triathlon as a novice, why she did it and what she's learnt. What it was like training with the Brownlees as she was just taking up the sport and how she had to draw on her self belief and turn her negative thoughts into positive ones. We hear how she took learnings from her time as a physics teacher, and how now, looking back, she gives...

This week, we sit down with British World Triathlon Series champion, Beth Potter. Beth's remarkable journey from a successful track athlete and physics teacher to a world-class triathlete is a tale of inspiration and resilience. She shares the challenges of transitioning to triathlon, including financial uncertainty and self-doubt in swimming, biking, and running. Drawing on her teaching background, Beth discusses how skills in planning, time management, and resilience have been key to her...

Whether you're a seasoned runner, don't run at all, or simply someone looking to learn and grow in all areas of life, we think you're going to love the new season of this podcast. Welcome back to season 2 of the RunAlive Podcast, where we explore the relationship between running, coaching and personal growth. This season we will hear from Triathlon World Champion Beth Potter, Labour Frontbencher Dan Jarvis MP, Martin Yelling, host of the Marathon Talk podcast, multiple Masters world record...

“If you get knocked over, get up again, that's a good starting point… but the true essence of resilience is: how do I do it different and better?” Many of us think about resilience through the lens of grit and tenacity to keep going. Speaking candidly about his struggles with his mental health and working through a toxic relationship with running, our guest this week, Rohan Kallicharan, pushes us to find a new perspective on how we reframe and rethink our problems. Having started running to...

“Bravery is not, not feeling scared. Bravery is feeling scared and doing it anyway”. Considering a big life overhaul but need some motivation to make it happen? Our guest this week knows exactly what it means to step out of the successful and familiar to embark on something scary and brand new. Meet James Riley, coach and owner of Run Unbound, former KPMG partner and men's captain of Ed's running club - Ranelagh Harriers. In this episode, James talks about the guts and bravery it’s taken to...

Borderline obsessed with running? We've all been there - including our guest this week: Matt Guilder. Matt is a trainee vicar from Lancashire, and a keen (fast!) amateur runner. Despite growing up around elite athletes, (Dave Moorcroft used to come to tea) he started running a little later in life as a way to stay fit. He's had times of life when he's thrown himself into running to a level that was unhealthy and fed anxiety, but over time he's worked out how to get the best for himself out of...

What does it look like to build a team that you really trust? And how do you do that when you can't possibly know everything, and you have to lead from a place of humility? We speak to iron distance triathlete Laura Siddall about the importance of building a team that can help you achieve to your best. Laura is a professional iron distance triathlete, but came to triathlon later than most, at an age when most professional athletes are retiring and has drawn her learnings from stints in the...