The UKRunChat podcast‪.‬ UKRunChat

Merili Freear began running in April 2020 during the first Covid-19 lockdown in England. Since then, she has run many thousands of miles, including two marathons and an ultra marathon. Through her experiences, Merili has learned that it's possible to achieve things that may seem impossible at first glance, and she has written and self-published, a book, Just Run, that she hopes will inspire others too.

Follow Merili on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meriliruns/]

In this episode Michelle chats with Emily.Emily ran competitively as a teenager, but had a break due to injury and took up running again in her twenties.  After many hospitalisations Emily was diagnosed with IBS is 2019, and in the podcast Michelle and Emily chat about the impact of this on her running and racing.

Emily has ran five marathons and one ultra-marathon and her favourite distances to race are 5k and half marathons. Since joining a running club in June 2023, Emily has PB'd across all distances except the marathon. This has shocked her at only two years postpartum!

You can follow Emily on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/running_veg/] 

Anna Dingley is the founder of the inaugural FT Nikkei UK Ekiden race which will take place on Monday 24th June. The race will follow an iconic, 76-mile route from Oxford to Windsor along the Thames Path. 19 teams of 10 runners will compete in the long-distance relay wearing the traditional tasuki sash instead of using a baton.

Michelle chats with Anna all about the event, Anna explains about the traditions and the history of the Ekiden, and about the challenges of organising a long point to point relay race. 

The UK Ekiden is happening for the first time on Monday 24th June.

www.ukekiden.com [http://www.ukekiden.com/] 

On Monday May 6th at the UK Milton Keynes marathon, British runner Steve Edwards achieved what many people have described as the ultimate multi marathon world record when he was crowned the new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title holder for running 1000 official marathon races in the fastest average finish time.

Listen to this episode to hear Michelle and Steve chat all about what has been a 43 year journey! 

A few stats

1000 Official Marathon Races from 1981 - 2024.

Finish Times ranging from 2hrs 51min - 3hrs 57min.

325 Sub 3:15s, 500 sub 3:20s, 801 sub 3:30s & 1000 sub 4,00s

A marathon on average every 13 days for the last 36 years.

First 500 marathons - 22 years - aged 25-45

Average finish time - 3hrs 18min.

Second 500 marathons - 14 years - aged 45 - 61

Average finish time - 3hrs 24min.

Total Average Finish Time for all 1000 marathons - 3hrs 21min 47sec

You can follow Steve on Instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/teamedwards_1000/]

In this episode Michelle chats with Steve Cram and Lisa McNally (Director of Public Health) about the upcoming Wythall & Hollywood Fun Run. 

Listen to hear:

Steve's great advice for new runners, the importance of the running community, the physical and mental health benefits of running, participating in your first race, and an appeal to other local authorities to prioritise public health and support their local running communities. 

https://wythallhollywoodfunrun.org.uk 

Follow Lisa here [https://twitter.com/Lisa_McNally1]

Events of The North [https://www.instagram.com/eventsofthenorth_/]

In this episode Michelle chats with Susie Chan.  

Susie is an Ultra Runner, Peleton Instructor and Author with her new book Trails & Tribulations having just been published on the 6th June. 

Since taking up running at the age of 35, Susie has completed the legendary Marathon des Sables more times than any other British woman, set the 12-hour treadmill World Record and was one of the first women to finish all the World Marathon Majors.

Michelle & Susie chat about:

Susie's new book, The Marathon des Sables, Badwater, the Jungle Ultra in the Amazon, a 24 hour track ultra and Susie's 12 hour treadmill Guiness World Record.

You can follow Susie on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/susie_chan_/] and find her new book here [https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/trails-and-tribulations-9781399408776/]