Max and Sarah sit down with elite ultra runner and passionate coach Chris Kelly. From his jaw-dropping 273km win at Albi 24hr to course records and podiums across the UK, Chris shares the mindset, training, and grit behind his success — including his selection for Team GB’s 24-hour squad and prep for the upcoming World Championships in Albi. We dive into coaching insights, play our usual games, and explore what it really takes to go the distance.

👉 Join our ⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.

💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠Patreon ⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.

Use code TTF15 at Protein Rebel for your 15% discount.

Welcome to our very first Ultra Tip Tuesday! In this short, practical episode, Max shares how to master layering so you stay warm, dry, and strong on the trails.

We’ll break down the three-layer system:
🧥 Base layer – sweat manager🧣 Mid layer – insulation🌧️ Shell – outer defense

You’ll learn about hydrostatic head, why breathability matters as much as waterproofing, and the common mistake most runners make at the start line.

👉 Key takeaway: Start cool, go windproof when it’s dry, save the waterproofs for biblical weather.

👉 Join our ⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our ⁠Patreon ⁠— every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.

🎧 Don’t forget to share the episode, leave us a rating, and help spread the word!

This week on Trails, Tales, and Fails we’re joined by Darren Evans, founder of The Green Runners and Pair Ups — two movements changing the way we think about running and sustainability.

We dive into:
🏃 Darren’s ultra running journey and what inspired him to combine running with environmental action
👟 How Pair Ups helps extend the life of trainers and cut down waste
🌱 Practical steps runners and races can take to reduce their footprint
📝 Darren’s creative side with Three Word Odes — capturing the spirit of running in just three words

It’s an inspiring reminder that small changes — from repairing shoes to rethinking events — can add up to a big difference for the planet we love to explore.

👉 Join our Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.
💚 If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what we do, check out our Patreon — every bit helps us keep sharing stories from the trails.

🎧 Don’t forget to share the episode, leave us a rating, and help spread the word!

268 miles. 155 hours. A few wrong turns. One bull. And a whole lot of grit and resilience.

In this episode of Trails, Tales & Fails, we sit down with an inspiring ultra runner who took on the Summer Spine and came out the other side with blisters, stories, and a finish line moment to remember. From getting lost in the forest, to stubborn livestock, and the mental rollercoaster of non-stop movement — this conversation is raw, funny, and extremely inspiring.

We talk feet, planning, hallucinations, sleep strategy, and how belief — both from within and from others — can get you to the end of even the longest trail.

An inspiring reminder that you don’t need to be at the front of the pack to have an epic story to tell.⁠Join our brand-new Facebook community group

We’re back — and this week we’re diving deep into one of the toughest and most well supported ultras in the UK: the Montane Lakeland 100.

From Coniston to Coniston, the 103-mile loop through the Lake District serves up over 6,000m of elevation, technical trails, and usually unpredictable weather. Max and Sarah relive this year’s race:, sleep-deprived hallucinations, brutal climbs, and that unbeatable community spirit from all involved.

Sarah shares what it took to finish 3rd female and 13th overall in 24h40m, and we answer some great listener questions too.

Also, a shout out to Daniel and Rebecca, who we met at the campsite. Congrats to Daniel for getting his 500 slate.

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Alan Bedford is raising money for Maggie's Centres
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From the West Highland Way to UTMB, the Spine Race to Western States—Debbie Martin-Consani has carved out one of the most enduring careers in UK ultra running. In this episode of Trails, Tales, and Fails, we go behind the finish lines to explore Debbie’s journey, her race philosophy, and how she’s balanced competition, coaching, and family across decades on the trails.

We also dive into the whether female participation is becoming more balanced compared to male counterparts —what’s changed, what’s still missing, and what might start to level the start line.

Whether you're new to ultras or deep in the sport, this one’s packed with stories and the kind of trail truth you’ll carry into your next race. Enjoy.

We’re back! After a bit of a hiatus (training, coaching, crewing — life got busy!), Max, Rob, and James are here, while Sarah preps to take on the Lakeland 100. This episode dives deep into the grit, gear, and glory of summer’s toughest ultras.

We kick off with the Lakeland 100 & 50 — what makes it so brutal yet iconic? James shares his race mindset, and we chat about self-supported prep, and how runners handle mental lows without crew or course markings.

Then it’s off to the heat of the Western States 100 and Badwater 135 — where bears, 45°C heat, and elite performances from UK runners took centre stage. We also pause to reflect on the tragic events at this year’s Hardrock 100.

Finally, we break down Dan Lawson’s awe-inspiring South West Coast Path FKT: 630 miles in 9 days, 13 hours — no big sponsors, just trail shoes, guts, and a lot of trust in his crew.

Expect laughs, deep dives, and maybe a few rants — just your usual dose of Trails, Tales, and Fails.

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Today’s episode is a special one. We’re diving into the 2025 South Downs Way 100—a race that’s not just a UK classic anymore, but now part of the World Trail Majors. That’s right, the SDW100 has officially gone global.

While the front of the field was electric—Mark Darbyshire shattered the course record, Peter Newman went out like a rocket, and Lucy Gossage and Julie Davis delivered one of the most thrilling women’s races we’ve seen—we’re zooming in on a different kind of hero.

Our guest is a good mate, cohost of the pod, a seasoned ultra-runner, and someone I had the absolute pleasure of crewing alongside co-host Sarah. He ran a blistering 19 hours and 13 minutes, and we’re unpacking the hot, emotional, and snack-fuelled miles that got him there.

From the early climbs through the rolling Downs, to the dark hours of the night, to the final push into Eastbourne—we talk strategy, suffering, aid station saviours, and yes, a few fails along the way.

So lace up, grab a flapjack, and let’s get into it.