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.

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

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Produced by Chris Davies, Eastwood Media

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