#Ep43 - Toni McCann: OCC and CCC Champion on Why South Africa Is Built for World Champs

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.