Everything Endurance

Mark Beaumont is a British long-distance cyclist, broadcaster, author, and documentary maker.  He has completed some truly inspiring and record-breaking adventure challenges during his career but is best know for setting a stunning record for cycling around the world, completing his 18,000-mile (29,000 km) route on 18 September 2017, having taken 78 days 14hrs to do so. In the latest episode of Everything Endurance, Will chats to Mark about his epic lap of the planet, from Mark's childhood in rural Scotland, through his many earlier cycling and sailing adventures, right up to the finish line of his race around the world. If you're a cyclist looking for a challenge head to https://worldinaday.com/ where you can help Mark in supporting the amazing work of those on the frontline of the struggle against Coronavirus by joining the 'virtual peloton' and cycling a round-the-world distance together in a single day.

Enda Brady is a journalist who's had the chance, over the years, to talk to some truly great sportspeople. A Sky News Correspondent since 2005, he has spent time interviewing the likes of Eliud Kipchoge, Chris Froome and even Zlatan Ibrahimovich, and in this episode, he shares some of the insights he's picked up and some of the great stories they've told him. Between interviewing incredible sportspeople, Enda is also an experienced runner having completed over 30 road marathons and, more recently, a number of ultra-marathons too, including the For Rangers Ultra in Kenya.  

Aside from a thirst for adventure, there is another thing that our previous guests have in common. Whether it be due to the early mornings and long hours spent in training, or the deep dark deprivation which comes in the midst of a long race or endurance challenge, they've all found their sleep patterns disrupted and suffered as a consequence. In this episode, we discuss all things slumber related with James Wilson, a Sleep Behaviour and Environment Expert who has, with a supporting team of other experts, developed an approach that helps people understand their sleep better, and assists them in making the changes to their mindset, behaviours and environment that can lead to better sleep. Why do we need to sleep?  Why is it sometimes so hard to get to?  What is happening to you when you're sleep-deprived and what can you do about it during a race?  We'll chat through these questions and more as we fight off the sleep monsters and learn how best to harness rest. Learn more about The Sleep Geek and his work with

Before his 21st, at an age when most people are worried about little more than partying, Alex Staniforth had already planned 2 attempts at Everest and sadly seen both end in tragedy. These early setbacks obviously took a toll, but over the last few years, Alex has found new challenges and channeled his own experiences of overcoming mental health problems into creating Mind over Mountains, a charity offering support to those who find themselves tackling the same issues. We chatted with Alex about facing an avalanche on the world's highest peak, visiting every high point in every county of the UK and about managing mental health. Head over to Mind over Mountains to learn more about how Alex is helping to create life-changing outdoor experiences to help restore mental health.

Co-host Kris King is a successful Race Director who has lead runners through tough environments all around the world.  But he is also an experienced ultra-runner, and formerly a full-time strength and fitness coach. Recorded back in the mists of time, in those halcyon, pre-Lockdown days, this episode includes our attempt at getting grime supremo Stormzy to produce a new theme tune as well as King Krizzy's insights into the seemingly daunting task of setting yourself a training plan for taking on a major endurance challenge. Drawing on his wealth of experience, in this episode we talk through how to plan your training for an ultra-marathon.  Whether you're brand new to this and feeling overwhelmed by the information out there, or just looking to improve your performances, this is the podcast for you.

Mimi Anderson is a legend in the ultra-running scene.  The last time we spoke to her she was preparing to head to the US to add to her growing list of international accolades with a record-breaking run across North America. However, 40 days in disaster struck when a knee injury put paid to not just the record attempt, but her continued career as an exceptional ultra-runner. The marvelous Mimi Anderson fought through the emotional fall-out and found a new way of adventuring.  Here she talks to Kris and Will about learning to swim, learning to cycle and learning to thrive in her life after running.

In January 2020, John Kelly became the founding member of the most exclusive club in the world.  A club reserved for people who have finished both the Montane Spine Race and the Barkley Marathons, two races with a reasonable claim on the title toughest-in-the-world.  What's more, is that he joined that club having won both races having crossed the line at the end of a particularly weather-beaten Spine Race in the 2nd fastest recorded time. In the latest episode of Everything Endurance, Will 'Baldlygo' Roberts chats with John Kelly about his journey into running, his Barkley win and how to survive sleet, snow and sleeplessness on the Pennine Way.  

Jasmin Paris was already a national fell-running champion, winner of the Skyrunner world series and a record holder on the Bob Graham and Ramsey Rounds when she crossed the line of the 2019 Spine Race in first position. In that moment she was propelled into the public consciousness, having been the first woman to take the overall win in that immensely tough race, but also having smashed the course record by over twelve hours.  We recently chatted to Jasmin about her journey into running, her experience on The Spine Race and the media aftermath of very suddenly being the most famous utra-runner on the planet.

Eoin Keith has been running ultras since the late 90s but shows no sign of slowing down. In his illustrious career as a runner of immense distances, Eoin has excelled in ultra and adventure racing as well as 24hr and 6-day running events, but is best known for breaking the world record for the fastest crossing of Ireland on foot (550km in 3 days, 3hrs and 47 minutes) and for his multiple podiums, and overall win in 2016, of the Montane Spine Race. Here he chats to Will and Kris about sleep deprivation, motivation and what he has learned during his many successes on the Spine.  Everything Endurance is back with another run of episodes featuring some of our most awesome guests yet.  Don't forget to like, subscribe and review this podcast wherever you're getting it from.  Spread the word and help us bring you more episodes and more amazing guests.

Cathy Dean has been Save the Rhino International's CEO since October 2001. She is in charge of the charity, and also a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) African Rhino Specialist Group. Under her leadership, the charity has seen it’s income – and therefore the amount available from which to make grants to protect rhinos – more than quadruple. Cathy is passionate and enthusiastic about protecting wildlife and is not at all afraid to practice what she preaches, appearing on the start line of last year’s inaugural ForRangers Ultra herself as part of the team wearing the famous Save the Rhino costume.  Cathy took a number of shifts in the sweltering heat of the suit and claimed her finishers medal on the equator from Eliud Kipchoge having comfortably completed the 220km course. In this episode of Everything Endurance, Will and Kris are invited into Cathy’s home to chat to her about the For Rangers Ultra and how the funds this amazing race raises

So, you've signed up for an ultra-marathon/multi-stage race somewhere seriously cold. You fancy your chances at tickling that top ten. But what should you expect out there? How do you prepare to take on the top-runners out in the ice and snow? Will Baldlygo Roberts and Kris King discuss how to successfully compete in one of their favourite places in the world, the arctic tundra. From kit choices to training tips and mental preparation, our co-hosts pick apart Will's 6th place run through the Ice Ultra in 2017 and talk about the approaches of past winners such as Robbie Briton and Damian Hall. Many thanks to bigmoosecoffeecompany.co for helping to make this possible. Purchase their awesome coffee, beers and other merch from https://www.bigmoosecoffeecompany.co/...

Back in 1994, Sharon Gayter won gold in the National Championships for 100km and 24hr racing and her achievements have gotten steadily more epic from there.  This athlete's career has included world records for the furthest distance run on a treadmill in 7 days and multiple medals, CRs and podiums across a variety of different ultra-racing disciplines. Most recently though, she's gained the attention of mainstream news by bagging another epic record, setting the fastest time for running from John O'Groats, the northernmost point of the UK, to Lands End, the furthest south.  That's 822 miles (1323km). Sharon knocked off the record in 12 days, 11 hours and 6 minutes braving rough weather, heavy traffic, and extreme sleep deprivation. Many thanks to bigmoosecoffeecompany.co for helping to make this possible.

Adam Kimble makes his second appearance on Everything Endurance shortly after joining the Beyond the Ultimate team as a Race Director! Kris and Will chat to Adam about his Great British Adventure in which he and Kris ran John O'Groats to Lands End with the 3 Peaks along the way. We also cover Adam's upcoming FKT in which he's looking to take a record from one Mr Killian Jornet. The conversation then somehow veers onto obscure 90s cartoons, but that sort of thing is to be expected by now. Kimbledore also shares some of his top tips for successfully running desert ultras. Adam is a very accomplished ultra-runner who has won and set course records at the Gobi March and Desert Ultra among others. Many thanks to bigmoosecoffeecompany.co for helping to make this possible. Purchase their awesome coffee, beers and other merch from https://www.bigmoosecoffeecompany.co/...

This time last year, our team were in Kenya for the first, epic For Rangers Ultra.  This 220km, 5-stage race, crosses open wildlife reserves in the home of long-distance running. The race was put together by ourselves, Save the Rhino and For Rangers, a group who fundraise to improve the well-being of the wildlife rangers who form the thin line between the world's endangered wildlife and industrialised poaching. Hear about the adventure, hear tips on getting through the race and the story of how it came to be in the latest episode.  Oh, and also hear why Kris isn't welcome in Norfolk anymore. 

On June 20th, Inov8 Athlete, Paul Tierney completed an astonishing feat in 6 days, 6 hours and 5 minutes. Paul took the record for the fastest time to complete all 214 of Alfred Wairight's Lake District Peaks in one go. Paul, a former police officer from Ireland, battled sleep deprivation, exhaustion, bad weather and an unquenchable desire for chips as he beat the previous record by almost 7hrs. In this latest episode of Everything Endurance, Will, Kris and Paul discuss running a bloody long way in the lakes, covering route planning, kit choices and the all-important snack tactics. To read more about his epic achievement head to https://www.inov-8.com/blog/paultierneywainwright/

Whether you've already signed up for a self-sufficient ultra race or you're just curious about what it takes to drag yourself through one, we have the podcast for you. What do you pack?  What will you eat?  How do you prepare your feet for five days of battering? Having just returned from another Jungle Ultra adventure in the Peruvian rain forest, Will and Kris answer these questions and more as they give you their survival tips for self-sufficient races, specifically in jungle environments. It's been a while, but Will and Kris are back with the first of many new episodes.  Be ready for more new guests who've done epic things, knowledgable coaches and sports scientists and more non-sensical patter from your beloved hosts.  

Kristina Schou Madsen hasn't been ultra-running for very long but has progressed at amazing speed (no pun intended).  Alongside representing Denmark as a Trail Runner, Kristina was first female at the Beyond the Ultimate Jungle Ultra in 2016.  On the 23rd February this year Kristina broke a World Record, becoming the fastest female runner to ever summit Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the African continent.  She achieved this in an astonishing time of 6hrs 52mins.  That's a mountain just shy of 6000 metres high conquered in record time by an exceptional athlete training in a country where the highest peak is under 200 metres. Kris and Will hear all about Kristina's record-breaking run and discuss South American snakes, English Spiders and Will's inappropriate photo.

Dr Al Ruddock is a physiologist at Sheffield Hallam University with a wealth of experience in sport science. He has worked with a range of individual athletes and teams from FIFA World Cup referee Howard Webb to the Commonwealth games medal winning England Table Tennis team.  He has also worked extensively in Boxing, helping Kid Galahad achieve his British, Commonwealth and European Titles and, more recently, Kell Brook’s IBF welterweight world title victory. Doctor Al's first appearance last year was our second most popular episode so we basically had to agree to have him back.  This time around Al and Kris discuss what makes an elite athlete, focussing on Mo Farah's transition to Marathon and on Sheffield's own Jess Ennis-Hill. This is part one of a three-part series focussing on this subject.  Al has provided a physiological perspective and we'll soon be bringing you some nutritional science facts and taking a look at the psychology of these amazing athletes. In this episode, we talk adaptations, training

Season Two begins with a great guest (not that they aren't all great)!Damian Hall has been a sports journalist with a passion for the outdoors for over 15 years.  Back in 2011, he ran his first half-marathon and something clicked.  Skip on to 2017 and Damian has been on the podium at The Spine, the Dragon's Back and the 2016 British Athletics Ultra Trail Championships.  He has also made the top 20 of the UTMB twice and has the Fastest Known Time for completing the 630-mile South West Coast Path. It's been a meteoric rise for somebody who came to running relatively late and Will and Kris take full advantage of the opportunity to talk about his journey and through some of the highlights of his career.  And to test out Kris' new professional podcast production equipment.

Sean Conway is an endurance adventurer, author and motivational speaker.  He is also the owner of arguably the greatest beard in Britain. He was the first person to cycle, swim, and run the length of Great Britain, from Land's End to John o'Groats.  In 2016 he completed the world's longest triathlon, a 4,200 mile journey around the coast of Britain all without accumulating barnacles. Kris and Will managed to catch Sean between adventures and discuss motivation, becoming an adventurer, pink helmet records and, of course, facial hair.