Talk Ultra

Amy is a world-renowned author who in 2022 toed the line of the iconic Marathon des Sables. The race planted seeds for a story, one of ultra-running and mystery. In June 2025, 'RUNNER 13' was released. Amy joins the podcast to discuss the book and her MDS story.     Runner 13 is a thriller that drops readers straight into a deadly stage race across the Sahara, echoing the notorious Marathon des Sables in Morocco. McCulloch's own experience running that event shapes every detail - the brutal desert landscape, the psychological toll, and the obsession with endurance that defines the sport. The story follows Adrienne, a once-great ultrarunner forced back into competition, and Stella, daughter of the race's manipulative director, Boones. His events, modelled on real-world extreme events, they aren't designed to be won, but to break runners. Central to the mystery is Runner 13, a symbol of both glory and doom. Told in sharp, cliff-hanging chapters that jump between present and past, the novel feels like Agatha Christie transplanted to the Sahara: a brutal race where survival, not victory, is the prize, and where Morocco's desert becomes both the setting and the trap.

From Lockdown Laps to FKT's Lydia started running during lockdown whist living in the UK. From very slow 2km runs, Lydia soon progressed to creating her own approach to running and ultra. She did road marathons, but did them different, failed at her first ultra, but then something clicked... • The Speed Project solo in the USA – 500km in 5 days. • Oman Desert Marathon – done. •FKT across 650km of the Camino de Santiago in Portugal – done. Now she lines up at OCC during UTMB week and follows up with her own fundraising project in the UK. 2026? she's coming to Costa Rica to face heat, jungle, mountains, and coastline of The Coastal Challenge

You may assume it's all about speed and pressure. Not this time. Norwegian runner, Abelone Lyng, put her own spin on the legend that is the DNT MASSIV TRAIL: 364 km, and just under 13,000 m vertical gain across four national parks in Norway: Breheimen, Jotunheimen, Skarvheimen, and Hardangervidda.  In just 10-days, Abelone moved fast and light, unbroken, solo, yet utterly connected. She didn't chase a formal FKT. She chased what she coined a "Funnest Known Time."  

Elisabet Barnes is a 5x participant at MDS The Legendary and a 2x champion. In 2025, Elisabet returned to the Legendary with different goals, different perspectives and to experience the race without the pressure of the podium. Her last MDS participation was 2017. A great deal has happened in the last 8-years, Covid for one and of course, a change of organisation at The Legendary. With extensive experience of MDS as a participant and coach, Elisabet provides and in-depth insight of the 'new' Legendary. "...very friendly, cheerful, supportive, it was a very positive experience to come to a checkpoint or the finish line. There was always people on the course wether in buggies or a medic running the opposite way; I saw so many people on the course, it was good for moral but it also felt safe... but I never felt there was less people on the course, actually I think there was more and they could access everywhere." Evolution not revolution.

Episode 250 of Talk Ultra is a discussion with Cyril Gauthier abou the MDS brand in 2025. We discuss many things: Handi, Trek, Namibia, the weather, planning, strategy and the future of MDS. Importantly, we also discuss Legendary.

Kilian Jornet recently connected 82 4000m peaks in the Alps in an amazing 19-days. He covered a total of 1207km's and climbed a total of 75,334m+ On episode 249 of Talk Ultra, we discuss this amazing project!

The first edition of MDS Cappadocia took place in June 2024. A unique race in a unique landscape. We speak with 71-year old Liz Ward who achieved her first MDS bling after multiple attempts.   

Episode 247 of Talk Ultra and we catch up with competitors from the 2024 MDS The Legendary for thoughts and feedback with Cecilie Lehmann Gianneri, Natalya Platanova and Nicki Marsh. 

Episode 246 of Talk Ultra is with Nicki Marsh as we countdown to Marathon des Sables - The Legendary. With a 50th birthday looming in 2024 Nicki had been toying with lots of ideas of how to celebrate... The only thing that truly excited me (and could fit around work!) was MDS. Her husband had done it in 2017 and said never again.  However, it took him all of 30 seconds to agree to do it again, with Nicki!

Episode 245 of Talk Ultra is with Ferdinand Charriau, head of communications for Marathon des Sable - The Legendary. In this podcast we discuss the final details as the 2024 edition is just weeks away.

Episode 244 of Talk Ultra and we talk with Alexander Welch who will toe the line of the 2024, Marathon des Sables - The Legendary.

On episode 243 of Talk Ultra we talk to Marie-Christine Barnett-Lonergan, MC for short, on her inspiring story to the startline of the 2025 Marathon des Sables - The Legendary.

Episode 242 of Talk Ultra and we talk in depth with Lina and Sanna El Kott, the El Kott twins, about the highs and lows of The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica which celebrated 20-years!

Corporal Natalya Platonova joins forces with elite Army professionals in support of the Army Benevolent Fund under the title, Rinder's Run with Barrister, author and brodcaster, Rob Rinder as they take on the 2024 Marathon des Sables - The Legendary.   The team will consist of Natalya, Rob, Olympic champion Heather Stanning OBE, Army Sergeant Major Paul Carney and Infantry Colonel Mark Nooney MC.

Episode 240 of Talk Ultra and we talk with Eoin Keith who took on the 269.3km counter-clockwise journey of 360 The Challenge in Gran Canaria organised by Arista Eventos.

Episode 239 of Talk Ultra is with Andy Blow from Precision Fuel and Hydration. Staying hydrated with fluids, maintaining healthy levels of minerals (electrolytes) is all part of the process of being a distance runner, particularly when sweating excessively for long periods of time. It's easy to get this wrong and in this podcast, Andy discusses this in-depth providing key points of information that should be followed up and tailored for the individual.

After 37-years, the iconic Martahon des Sables will move ahead with new owners, the legacy of Patrick Bauer is there for all of us to see. With new owners comes change and in this episode of Talk Ultra, we discuss these changes with co-owner and CEO Cyril Gauthier.

Episode 237 of Talk Ultra has an interview with Corina Sommer who won Oman Desert Marathon early in 2023 and went on to place 4th at Marathon des Sables.

Episode 236 of Talk Ultra is with adidas Terrex athlete, Sabrina Stanley who placed 2nd at Ultra Trail Snowdonia by UTMB

Episode 235 of Talk Ultra and we speak with Katy (Catherine) Young who placed 6th lady and 1st Brit at the 2023 Marathon des Sables in 34h 21m 18s.

Episode 234 of Talk Ultra is a #BM100 Barkely Marathons Special with an in-depth interview with Jasmin Paris.

Talk Ultra is back after an extended break... No better way to eturn with Speedgoat Karl as co-host and an in-depth interview with COURTNEY DAUWALTER!

Episode 232 of Talk Ultra is a Petter Engdahl Special. After making the podium of OCC in 2021, Petter focussed his attention on the 2022 CCC - He won in a course record time. And now he has followed up with a dream victory at Transvulcania by UTMB. We talk in-depth about his training and preparation for these two incredible performances.

Episode 231 of Talk Ultra has a post UTMB chat with Tom Evans after placing 3rd. We speak with Shane Ohly about Classick Rock and Speedgoat co-hosts.

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2022 UTMB.   Starting on Sunday August 21st and running through to UTMB 2022, there will be a series of podcast releases for your audio pleasure in 'The Chamonix Tapes.'   In episode 5, we speak with Tom Evans who battled a stressful injury and surgery... A process that started 12-months ago.   " What can I do, how do I control the controllables... Western States is more like a 100km in comparison to UTMB... I can't begin to imagine how many nights I have spent without a head torch... I Can't wait for the night... The night is coming, like it or not!"   #oneteam #unitedbysummits

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2022 UTMB.   Starting on Sunday August 21st and running through to UTMB 2022, there will be a series of podcast releases for your audio pleasure in 'The Chamonix Tapes.'   In episode 4, we speak with Taylor Nowlin who battled a stressful 2020 and 2021 working as a nurse and recovering from Covid to place top-10 at Western States.   "I think the biggest theme in the last year has been scaling back on work so that I could focus on running... I needed to be more of a professional at running."   #oneteam #unitedbysummits

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2022 UTMB.   Starting on Sunday August 21st and running through to UTMB 2022, there will be a series of podcast releases for your audio pleasure in 'The Chamonix Tapes.'   In episode 3, we speak with Yngvild Kaspersen who has just become a doctor after lengthy study and trying to balance a running career.   "It took me longer than normal to finish Med school... I took longer years so that I could focus in study and running. I wanted to do my education properly but also not miss out on opportunities."   #oneteam #unitedbysummits

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2022 UTMB.   Starting on Sunday August 21st and running through to UTMB 2022, there will be a series of podcast releases for your audio pleasure in 'The Chamonix Tapes.'   In episode 2, we speak with Holly Page who has been fighting against long term injury.   "I started with an ankle injury in Feb 21... I had hoped to run TDS in 2021 and despite my best efforts, the injury has not gone away... Finally, I am on an upward slope!"   #oneteam #unitedbysummits

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2022 UTMB. Starting on Sunday August 21st and running through to UTMB 2022, there will be a series of podcast releases for your audio pleasure in 'The Chamonix Tapes.'   In episode 1, we speak with South African and new member to the Terrex team, Toni McCann.   #oneteam #unitedbysummits

Episode 225 of Talk Ultra has an in-depth interview with Michael Wardian after his epic run across America. We also speak with Ultra Trail Snowdia by UTMB race director, Michael Jones. Speedgoat co-hosts.

Episode 224 of Talk Ultra brings you an in-depth chat with Shane Ohly from Ourea Events and Speedgoat Karl co-hosts.

We bring you a 36th MDS special co-hosted by Steve Diederich (MDS UK) and guest interviews with, James Hazeldene, Liz Anderson, Patrick Kennedy, Richard Bysouth and Tamsin Dobson.

WE ARE BACK! Talk Ultra returns after a 4-month hiatus with an in-depth interview with Tom Evans and his return to racing after surgery. We talk to Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel about an epic Lesotho journey. Speedgoat go-hosts.

Episode 221 of Talk Ultra is with Speedgoat Karl who recently won his 45th 100-mile race and maintained a 20-year streak of winning at least one 100-mile race every year.

Episode 220 and we welcome Speedgoat back as co-host. We interview Jordi and Tómas from Pyrenees Stage Run and Norwegian running sensation, Therese Falk.

Episode 219 of Talk Ultra is co-hosted by two times MDS champion, Elisabet Barnes. We discuss the 35th 2021 race with expert discussion on heat from Dr Jodie Moss. We also have eight interviews with 2021 participants: Emma Burton, Gower Tan, John Murray, Kim Hutt, Mags McHardy, Martina Taylor, Paul Been and Pierre Meslet.

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2021 UTMB.   Starting on Tuesday August 24th and running through to Sunday August 29th, there will be a daily podcast release for your audio pleasure.   In The Chamonix Tapes 6, we speak with Emily Hawgood and Petter Engdahl.   "This summer has been amazing, from not being able to travel to being here in the Alps for 2-months has been superb! The big goal for this Summer has been OCC. So far the adidas Terrex Team support has exceeded my expectations… The team is growing and we will have some really good years ahead of us, adidas Terrex have the aim to move the boundaries of trail running in a new area of professionalism without losing the sport ethos." - Petter Engdahl

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2021 UTMB.   Starting on Tuesday August 24th and running through to Sunday August 29th, there will be a daily podcast release for your audio pleasure.   In The Chamonix Tapes 5, we speak with Robbie Simpson. "I have always like road and I think there is a place for that… But, I am keen to move towards trail and longer distance events. That feeling of running up a mountain on a smooth or technical trail is magical."

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2021 UTMB.   Starting on Tuesday August 24th and running through to Sunday August 29th, there will be a daily podcast release for your audio pleasure.   In The Chamonix Tapes 4, we speak with Taylor Nowlin.   "My work required if you test positive you need to self-quarantine for 2-weeks. I was working nights and long shifts, so I never felt amazing, when I got Coronavirus I didn't even know."

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2021 UTMB.   Starting on Tuesday August 24th and running through to Sunday August 29th, there will be a daily podcast release for your audio pleasure.   In The Chamonix Tapes 3, we speak with Sabrina Stanley and Ruth Croft.   "I obviously want to do the best for the people who support me and make them proud. I feel I can do this but I want to look at the 15-20yr picture and I enjoy running healthy and fast and I want to do that for as long as possible…. I plan on coming back in 2022 and doing something special." - Sabrina Stanley

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2021 UTMB.   Starting on Tuesday August 24th and running through to Sunday August 29th, there will be a daily podcast release for your audio pleasure.   In The Chamonix Tapes 2, we speak with Macy (Marcel Hoeche) and Ekaterina Mityaeva about shoe design and the new, Agravic Ultra shoe.   "Sustainability, materials and who is the consumer? Everyone deserves a perfect shoe… From the very beginning we knew we were on to something super great. I can't begin to tell you how many different shapes of the plate we used in so many different materials. If you pair five shapes and five materials this is 25 pairs of shoes we need to test… It was a complex process which was definitely worth it."

Welcome to 'The Chamonix Tapes' an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2021 UTMB.   Starting on Tuesday August 24th and running through to Sunday August 29th, there will be a daily podcast release for your audio pleasure.   In The Chamonix Tapes 1, we speak with the adidas Terrex Team manager, Robert Muecke.   "We are not working together with robots. We are working with humans and a team and a team structure is based on human beings. We are here to support humans to their potential. It's so much more than winning one race, it's a process that is set up over years."

Episode 212 of Talk Ultra brings you an interview with Beth Pascall about her current Western States victory, Abelone Lyng co-hosts.

Episode 211 of Talk Ultra has an interview with John Stocker who ran more than 337 miles in 81 hours at the Suffolk Backyard Ultra to set a new WR ahead of Matt Blackburn who pushed him all the way to the line.

Episode 210 of Talk Ultra brings you an interview with Petter Engdahl and Speedgoat co-hosts.

Episode 209 of Talk Ultra has Damian Hall joining Ian for a discussion on the news to UTMB and Ironman creating a new World Series.

Episode 208 of Talk Ultra is a special show discussing the collaboration between BOA and La Sportiva - This is a sponsored show.

Episode 207 of Talk Ultra brings you an interview with Corre Woltering who in the last 12-months has set two FKT's, one on the Ice Age Trail and the other on the Pinhoti Trail. Speedgoat co-hosts.

Episode 206 of Talk Ultra has a chat with Zach Bitter and Speedgoat co-hosts.

Episode 205 of Talk Ultra has an in-depth interview with the inspiring, Stephanie Case.