The Running Voyager

Linda Kapembeza
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  • RUNNING
  • MONTHLY

This is a podcast about running and storytelling. Each episode we’ll talk to a runner and hear their story. Running is never just about running there’s always so much more to it! 

  1. 19 JAN

    Running and Rowing Towards Health: Wayne Hunter's Inspirational Journey

    In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Wayne Hunter to explore his life, career, and remarkable transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a background in engineering, Wayne came to Japan at the age of 23 and has since spent most of his 37 years in the country working in private membership club management. He is married with two daughters and has had the unique experience of living in a four-generation household with his in-laws in Chiba. Wayne’s running journey began as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At his heaviest, Wayne weighed 185kg, and after witnessing deaths within his work circle, he made the decision to change his life. Over an 18-month period starting in the summer of 2020, Wayne lost an extraordinary 54% of his body weight — around 100 kilograms. He initially took up rowing, training for hours a day in his home which he credits as the foundation of his weight loss. He later transitioned into running, taking part in road races but finding his true passion on the trails. In this episode, Wayne shares his journey into running, his training, and his experience tackling the Nagawa Trail. Whether you're looking for motivation, perspective, or simply a powerful human story, this episode delivers on all fronts. Links: Centennial — by James A. Michener Nagawa Trail COVID-19 Breaking Bad Tokyo American Club Japan Shōgun- by James Clavell The Godfather Support the show Thanks so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch. Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout. Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!

    46 min

  2. 1 JAN

    Running Through Culture: An Inside Look at Japan's Hakone Ekiden with Kiyoshi Maeda

    In this episode, Kiyoshi a Tokyo-based running community organizer and avid runner, discusses his journey with running, the famous Hakone Ekiden relay race, and his involvement in the Doyou (土曜） Club, an open learning and running community. Kiyoshi shares insights into the cultural significance of the Ekiden race in Japan, its impact on university students, and how it fosters community spirit. He also touches on his own experiences, struggles, and the importance of running in his life. This episode is a deep dive into how running and learning intertwine to build connections and personal growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Casual Conversation 01:19 Meet Kiyoshi: The Learning Enthusiast 02:52 Kiyoshi's Running Journey 03:24 The Birth of a Video Producer 04:33 Language Exchange and Friendship 06:11 Exploring the Japanese Ekiden 07:59 Hakone Ekiden: The Ultimate Relay Race 14:14 The Significance of Hakone Ekiden 16:06 Comparing Global Running Events 18:01 Cheering and Strategy in Hakone Ekiden 23:56 Advertising and Marketing in Ekiden 24:27 Nike Vaporfly and Shoe Technology 26:31 Comparing Marathon Runners 29:35 University Teams and Qualifications 32:43 Ekiden in Japanese Schools 38:14 Book Recommendations 39:53 Movie and TV Series Recommendations 44:23 Closing Remarks and Appreciation Support the show Thanks so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch. Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout. Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!

    50 min

  3. 09/12/2025

    Inside Karkloof: Race Directing, New 2026 Course Insights & Trail Community with Terence Vrugtman

    In this episode, I chat with Terence Vrugtman — ultrarunner, photographer, and Race Director of the Karkloof Trail Series. We dig into what makes Karkloof such a standout event in South Africa’s trail running calendar, and Terence gives us a first look at the 2026 course: the terrain, the challenges, and how the route continues to evolve. We also talk about the realities of race directing, what it takes to build a welcoming and sustainable trail community. Whether you're planning to run Karkloof, curious about race organisation, or just love trail stories, you’ll enjoy this one. Guest Links  Karkloof Trail Run: https://www.karklooftrailrun.co.za Terence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terencevrugtman Support the show Thanks so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch. Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout. Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!

    44 min

  4. 20/11/2025

    Kennedy Sekhuthe on winning The Salt Pans Ultra 100km

    In this episode, I speak with South African ultra-runner Kennedy Sekhuthe, who recently won the 2025 Salt Pans Ultra 100kmin Botswana with an impressive time of 12:26:50. We talk about his journey in ultra running, the dedication and discipline behind his rise, and the mindset that carried him through one of Africa’s toughest endurance races.  Key Topics Covered Kennedy’s 2025 Salt Pans Ultra victoryHow he trained and prepared for a 100km raceHis long journey in the sport and what has shaped him as an athleteWhat this win means for his future in ultra runningKennedy’s story is a reminder that consistency over years, not shortcuts, builds endurance and success. His journey shows that with discipline, grit, and patience, long-term goals become reachable. Notable Results: 1st place at Salt Pans Ultra 100km 1st place at Ultra Trail Drakensberg 100 Miler 25:08:26Support the show Thanks so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch. Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout. Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!

    41 min

  5. 15/11/2025 · BONUS

    Reddit Tales: I started running at 44. Here’s what I’ve learned after a year.

    In today’s episode, I read a personal story that celebrates one full year of running — starting at age 44, with no athletic background, four kids, a full-time job, and zero intention of ever becoming “a runner”. What began as a curious experiment with a Garmin watch slowly turned into a life-changing habit. In this reflective episode, I share the highs, lows, lessons, and honest realities of beginning running later in life, in cold Canadian winters, and with absolutely no clue what “zone 2” even meant. If you’ve ever thought “running isn’t for me”, this one is for you. How he went from no running experience to completing consistent run/walk sessionsWhy running initially made no sense to himHow a fitness tracker motivated him to startTraining through a Canadian winter, illness and family demandsHis first goal: preparing for a 5K at workThe moments that changed how he viewed runningSupport the show Thanks so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch. Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout. Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!

    19 min
  6. Race Directing and Exploring Cape Town’s Trails with Warren King

    06/11/2025

    Race Directing and Exploring Cape Town’s Trails with Warren King

    Warren King’s journey from attorney to private banker to trail running entrepreneur is a story of reinvention and passion. After a 15-year career at Investec Bank in Johannesburg, Warren stepped away from finance to create some of South Africa’s most recognisable trail running events. His transition not only drew on his business expertise but also deepened his understanding of the rapidly expanding adventure tourism sector. A seasoned traveller and runner, Warren has raced across more than 35 countries: from the Himalayas and Southeast Asian jungles to the Andes. These global adventures have given him a rare insight into emerging trail destinations like Georgia, Mongolia, and Slovenia, and the trends shaping the future of adventure travel. Now based in Cape Town, Warren is combining his love of running, exploration, and entrepreneurship through his latest venture, Cape Trail Tours—a business offering curated trail running experiences and on-the-ground support for international runners keen to explore South Africa’s remarkable trails.  Links: https://capetrailtours.co.za/ https://instagram.com/capetrailtours https://facebook.com/capetrailtours What I talk about when I talk about running by Haruki Murakami The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien Frasier Friends The Himalayas - Nepal Support the show Thanks so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch. Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout. Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!

    31 min

  7. 03/11/2025

    Inside South Africa’s Running Boom, Comrades Fixes, and Cape Town Marathon's Cancellation

    We explore South Africa’s running surge with Stuart Mann—from sold-out ballots and the Cape Town Marathon cancellation to how Comrades has shifted from controversy toward accountability. With 178 unique marathons completed, Stuart shares what resilient races get right and how the sport has evolved since COVID. We discuss participation trends, the impact of social media, and how ballot systems affect major events like Two Oceans and Comrades. Stuart reflects on lessons from the Otter Trail, and the realities of technical terrain. We also unpack the Comrades 2024–2025 improvements, and what the Cape Town Marathon’s cancellation reveals about race governance and planning in South Africa. To support the show, follow @TheRunningVoyager on Instagram, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It doesn’t take much, but it means a lot. Here’s to another week full of great adventures. Cheers. Support the show Thanks so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch. Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout. Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!

    47 min
  8. Lake Biwa 100 Miler (Japan) - Media Post Race Report

    24/10/2025 · BONUS

    Lake Biwa 100 Miler (Japan) - Media Post Race Report

    I recently had the opportunity to be on media duty at the Lake Biwa 100 and this is my impression and race report. Text below from race website: " The Lake Biwa 100 course takes you on a journey through various ecosystems and historical sites in the Kansai region of Japan, skirting Lake Biwa the biggest lake in Japan for most of the course. With only 330 participants and a generous 52-hour cut off, the race keeps its authenticity, with friendly smiles at the hospitable aid stations. But don’t let that fool you: despite the highest peaks being only around 1200m (4000ft), the technical 169km course boasts over 10,500m (34,400ft) of elevation gain. From 2024, it is Japan’s only Hard Rock 100 Qualifier, and for good reasons." Links Lake Biwa100 Miler Yunoyama Onsen Lake Biwa Kansai Region Japan Hira Lake Guest House Kaori Niwa Lake Biwa 100 RD Instagram Support the show Thanks so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch. Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout. Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!

    9 min
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About

This is a podcast about running and storytelling. Each episode we’ll talk to a runner and hear their story. Running is never just about running there’s always so much more to it! 

Information

  • Creator
    Linda Kapembeza
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Running Voyager
  • Show Website
    The Running Voyager