The Running Voyager

1.Mike Sewell

In this episode, I chat with Mike Sewell. Mike is an avid runner on both trail and road. He has run in far-flung places like Patagonia and the Sahara. Mike is also the owner of The Running Company. Mike talks about his experiences running the London Marathon, The Lake Tahoe 50miler, running 1200 across Patagonia and taking the challenge of the Long Road to Comrades with a 1,000km in 19 days then Comrades.

Podcast link:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0OoAEQC9yEWlj37qDpXLNl?si=fc3lPfjNQ5K4Lo338RpgWA

2. Dave Funnell

Dave describes himself as a middle-aged runner who started running by chance because a friend dragged him along to a Parkrun at the age of 48. Since then Dave has had running adventures spanning from local Parkruns to far off places such as Chamonix.

In this interview, we get to know a bit more about Dave and he gives us detailed outlines of his most memorable racing adventures, including Skyrun, 9 Freedom day Parkruns, Comrades, Two Oceans Ultra, Ultra-Trail Cape Town, Mac Mac 100 miler, Death Valley Marathon, Grand Canyon R2R2R, CCC at UTMB and TDS at UTMB.

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6nQvi8tPuEclsN2Vgdd7TA?si=biRk8L20S2Ol40r71JqNCw

4.Nontuthuko Mgabhi

Nontuthuko Mgabhi is an absolute Powerhouse! Her running journey started when a friend invited her for a 10km walk and she has never looked back. Nontu is the first African woman to run 7 Marathons on 7 continents in 7 days (The World Marathon Challenge). She is currently training for the Marathon des Sables. Nontu has also managed to raise R1.7 million Rands for Khiphinkunzi Primary School at Dukuduku area in Mtubatuba (KwaZulu Natal, South Africa) through her running endeavours.

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3SVIfP1Nz0LPTJDvyCPbN9?si=6-usQy67SXSbNv8plgHtCQ

4. Fred Richardson

Fred Richardson is the founder and head coach at Mindful Runner. Fred is a certified running coach personal trainer and adventure guide. Fred lives in Johannesburg South Africa with his partner and their two dogs. This episode focuses on the importance of having a coach and the need to take time to choose a coach that suits your personality and running goals.

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/72FzTMWKn4iQ4F75Pw4xMJ?si=OqPwKE1vRqil_VYm5_sakQ

5.René Vollgraaf

René Vollgraaff is an extremely accomplished Ultra Trail Runner with several wins as well as numerous podium finishes. René is also the only person to have completed the Run AMUK Challenge in 2019 (Addo, Mac Mac, Ultra-Trail Drakensberg and Karkloof 100 Milers). René tells us about how she started running at a little race in Uppington to Mega ultras like the Munga 400km trail run.

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HkF9sGxqcNE2UivZTp2fv?si=3L_ChpnvRF6Vf-PB6uaLHQ

6. Liesel Koch - The Importance of a Running Community

Liesl Koch is an experienced Ultra trail and roadrunner. Liesl is part of the Randburg Harriers Committee and is involved in organising the Randburg Harriers Valentine’s Day Race and the Vitality Race Series. We talk about the importance of having a running community as well as how Covid-19 has affected our running culture. 

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/31LRcKJfMbHbyTsPD11qg4?si=hevOSf7NRlqOa2grWUW7ig

7.Anele Bans

Anele Bans is an Elite Ultra Distance Runner sponsored by Hoka One One (through Inkhambi Distribution). Anele has numerous running achievements. In this episode, we discuss Anele's race at his first 100 miler, the Addo Elephant Trail Run, where he placed 5th. We also talk about The 13 Peaks Challenge as well as his plans for the future.

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ugQsezHnzjoEr4a5NHICM?si=AxKYLVtjSNqYJJHrcYz67Q

8. Brett Florens - Switching Addiction from Alcohol and Drugs to Running

Brett Florens is a well-renowned photographer as well as an accomplished runner. Brett started running when he was in the Police during a 6-week training camp which kickstarted his fitness and weight loss. Brett enjoyed being fit so much that he used the momentum from that camp to stay fit. His running journey progressed from running 5k's 3 times a week to a half marathon and then a full marathon. Fast forward 28 years later and Brett has completed 25 Comrades, 10 Two Oceans Ultra Marathons and over 120 marathons all over the world. Brett is also the Chairman of a local running phenomenon in Durban called Regents.

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6UirZECCM4QSf0zVwL3kSA?si=jF3EmpaHT_yFpJ03F8gnJg

9. Wandisile Nongodwana

Wandi is an accomplished road and trail runner with 12 Comrades finishes 7 of which are silver medals. Wandi's best time at Comrades is 6:39 on the down run in 2018. Wandi has also run the Washie 100 Miler, 2 times with 2nd place finishes both times. Wandisile has run Marathons all over the world including Chicago, Toronto and Paris. Apart from road, Wandi is also a serious trail runner with several podium finishes and he is currently leading the Backyard Ultra series of races with 2 wins. In this interview, we discuss how Wandi started running, skills for conquering the Backyard Ultra format of races, his life philosophy, what running means to him, as well as his goals for the future.

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2S9f5R7bmcMfitdVeQ1rWe?si=C7oNJYEjRWmfaUr39fwtxQ

10. Jack Davis

Jack is one of the race directors of the Karkloof Trail Series. Jack is also an experienced runner on both road and trail, both locally as well as internationally. In this episode, we get to know Jack, our discussion spans from how he met his wife to what is entailed in being a race director of one of South Africa's iconic ultramarathons. Our discussion touches on Jack's first-place finish at the MacMac 100 miler as well as his podium finish alongside Martin Malherbe at the ADDO 100 Miler.

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4MmVagsT6KX15BLV5kml2I?si=8MmkCWlJROCnYTS8F_u9AA

11. Linda Doke

Linda Doke has been running for 27 years, 26 of which she's been an ultra runner. Linda was sought out by Salomon SA in 2008 and has been one of their athletes ever since – for many years as a Salomon athlete, and now as an ambassador. Linda has an astounding number of achievements with over 30 podium finishes as well as several records on various courses.( For a full list visit: https://rockhoppingtrail.run/about/). Linda is also the longest performing woman runner at an elite level in South Africa. In addition to all this Linda is a trail running coach.

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1f3WYVFd3u38XWQitqdXlB?si=AFMEhsXoQ82qJSLZ9tp6Iw