In this special episode of the RunThrough Trails Podcast, James and Lewis take a deep dive into this weekend’s RunThrough Trails Lake District event - and why it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting races of the year. They dissect the elite battle at the front, previewing the leading men’s and women’s fields and discussing what’s at stake with the race doubling as both the British 50K Trail Championships and a key European Championships selection race.

With top athletes, national team implications and a stacked field on the start line, this episode is the perfect preview for anyone racing, spectating or following along from home.

They also break down the challenging 23K and 53K courses - from Scafell to Cat Bells, they explore what makes racing in the Lake District so unique, so technical and so tough - reflecting on last year’s brutal but unforgettable route, and explain the changes made for 2026.

In this episode of The RunThrough Trails Podcast, Red Bull athlete David Kilgore joins host James Tilley to talk all things trail running. Known for his remarkable achievement of completing marathons on all seven continents, David shares how his journey into endurance sport has shaped his approach to training and racing on the trails.

James and David dive into the key elements of preparing for trail running, from building strength and endurance to developing the right mindset for unpredictable terrain. They discuss practical training techniques, the importance of strategy, and how runners of all levels can approach the unique challenges that come with trail environments.

Whether you're new to trail running or looking to elevate your performance, David offers valuable insights and actionable tips to help you make the most of every run off-road.

In this episode of The RunThrough Trails Podcast, elite trail runner Toni McCann joins host James Tilley. Coming to running later than many pros, Toni started out in team sports before discovering the trails, where a tough first race quickly sparked her competitive edge. She talks about the strength of South Africa’s running culture, the growth of trail running in the country, and what it has taken to move from 50k racing up to the demands of 100k distances after winning both CCC & OCC at UTMB Finals Week.

James and Toni also dive into coaching, including Tony’s experience with self coaching and the value of having guidance for accountability, as well as the challenge of balancing her own racing with coaching others. They explore the mental resilience needed to perform at the highest level and how mindset plays a huge role over longer distances.

With the World Championships in Cape Town In 2027, Tony shares her excitement about racing on home soil and what’s next as she continues to test herself across different distances.

In this episode of the RunThrough Trails Podcast, James Tilley is joined by GB athlete Lawrence McCourt to talk through his journey from the strong club scene in Gateshead to representing Great Britain on the international stage.

Lawrence reflects on discovering running through school cross country, stepping away from the sport due to injuries and life changes, and how the COVID period reignited his passion through local races and the people around him. They get into the differences between fell racing, trail running and the roads, and why returning to road racing played a key role in rebuilding his confidence.

The conversation also explores the growing crossover between disciplines, what it felt like to make his Great Britain debut, and how community continues to shape his approach to the sport. Lawrence shares what he has learned along the way and looks ahead to future ambitions, including a potential move up to the marathon distance and more major trail competitions.

In this episode of the RunThrough Trails Podcast, host James is joined by Gemma and Lewis to break down Gemma’s impressive win at the ARC 50.

Facing brutal winds, heavy mud, and constantly changing conditions, the race became as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Gemma shares how experience helped her stay patient early on, adjust her pacing to match the conditions, and focus on what she could control throughout the day. Feeling strong in the latter stages of the race was a clear sign that her fueling, pacing, and preparation all came together when it mattered most.

The conversation also explores the overall competitiveness of the field, the impact of the tough conditions across the race, and why preparation — from mindset to shoe choice — can make or break performance on a demanding course.

To close, they look ahead to what’s next for Gemma, discussing upcoming goals, lessons taken from this race, and how she plans to build on this result as she continues to develop as an ultra runner.

In this episode of the Run Through Trails Podcast, host James Tilley welcomes elite trail runner Hayden Hawks to reflect on the challenges he faced at UTMB, where difficult weather and preparation issues made for one of the toughest races of his career. Hayden breaks down what went wrong, what he learned from the experience, and how it reshaped his focus moving forward.

The conversation then shifts to Hayden’s standout performance at the 2025 Kodiak 100 Miler, a race that marked a major turning point after UTMB. James and Hayden also dive into his approach to improving as an athlete, with a strong emphasis on developing technical skills and preparing for demanding mountain terrain.

Later in the episode, Hayden shares how he enjoys combining racing with family travel and why cultural immersion has become an important part of his international racing experiences. The chat also highlights hydration and nutrition strategies, his work with coach Robbie Britton, and the camaraderie and friendships that define the trail running community.

Looking ahead, Hayden outlines an ambitious 2026 race calendar, with his sights set on returning to key races and addressing unfinished business on some of the sport’s biggest mountain stages.

In this episode of the RunThrough Trails Podcast, guest host Lewis Moses sits in for James Tilley to chat with trail running superstar Judith Wyder. Judith opens up about her journey from orienteering to trail running, how she balances family life with her athletic career, and the challenges and joys that come with it.

She shares her thoughts on strength training, pacing, and adapting training schedules to fit family life, as well as what keeps her motivated, like seeing her kids at races. Judith also talks about her love for shorter distance races, the growing inclusivity in the trail running community, and why enjoying the sport and inspiring others is just as important as competing.

On this episode of the RunThrough Trails podcast, we’re joined by Francesco Puppi, one of the best trail running athletes on earth and the recent champion of CCC.

Francesco shares why the process of running matters more to him than the final outcome and how external success doesn’t always reflect how an athlete truly feels. He opens up about staying motivated through a genuine love for the sport rather than outside validation, and the essential role mental resilience plays in getting through tough training blocks and race moments.

Francesco reflects on how experience has shaped his understanding of his own limits and how it guides his approach to training. He talks about the importance of versatility across different distances to keep training exciting, as well as the need for a holistic approach that balances running with the rest of life. With his sights set on Western States, he also discusses the unique mental challenges of ultra running and the mindset required to overcome them.