Centurion Running Podcast

This week, James Elson is joined by Head of Endurance Robbie Britton to discuss our brand new coaching website. The two go on to discuss the weekly news covering the results from Barkley Marathons, Black Canyon Ultras and Tarawera. Photo: Anne Flower ©Mark Griffith-Black Canyon Ultras – World Trail Majors

James Elson chats to Damian Hall fresh off of the back of his third attempt at the Barkley Marathons, this past weekend. Damo tells all about this years event, how it unfolded and speaks to lessons learned from 'Out There'. Photo c/o Allie Bailey. Damian's new book is available soon via Vertebrate Publishing here.

This weeks episode focuses on all things Centurion Running with an update on our virtual challenges, upcoming races a new store brands/ products. There is a look back at Rocky Raccoon 100 and the Pilgrims Challenge Results from last week. Plus a look ahead to our World Trail Majors Partner Race - Black Canyon Ultras and Tarawera happening this weekend.

Centurion Coach and trained osteopath and physiotherapist Pierre Meslet talks about his own journey into the sport and what it brings him as a coach. On top of that we get some top advice for multi-day racing and hear how Pierre’s approaching the Marathon des Sables with a different plan this year, after being in the top ten twice before.

In this shorter than usual weekly episode, Centurion founder James Elson talks about Rocky Raccoon 100, Opinion vs Fact in discussing our sport, the National Run Show and a few corrections to the previous episode.

Hayden Hawks is well known for his exploits on the trails, but within this podcast we delve more into his coaching background and the reasons behind working with a full range of athletes trying to achieve their own trail and ultra running goals. Robbie and Hayden talk about the importance of connections within the sport and feeling the need for a positive impact on the community we all gain so much from.

Centurion coach Peter van der Zon is currently studying a Master’s Degree in Sports Physical Therapy and serves as the physical therapist for the Swiss national trail running team. In this podcast Robbie Britton chats to the Dutch international about his journey into coaching and the sport, the value of having a strong reason to dig deep as an ultra-runner, and also not ignoring how the stress of life impacts us on race day.

This episode of the weekly news touches upon the latest from Centurion Running, a frank and honest look at the changes UTMB have made to the Arc Of Attrition, all the results from that event and the shorter associated distances. As well as a quick look at Hong Kong 100km results.

James Elson speaks to Finn Melanson, host of the Singletrack Podcast about a range of subjects ranging as wide as the current state of running in the US and the UK, building a brand and a community in ultrarunning, what the future holds and a whole lot more. Photo c/o Scott Hickenlooper

Our Head of Endurance, Robbie Britton chats to Sophie Grant, one of our Centurion Coaches, about two recent races: Sophie's run at the Winter Spine Race and Robbie's race at Terra De Gigantes.

A special in depth Full Winter Spine 2026 recap pod featuring an interview with 7 time finish Matt Neale, a full race debrief from the one and only Allie Bailey and an in-depth conversation with Kevin Munt, who brought one of the real stories of this years' race. Warning - some strong language for obvious reasons! A link to Kev's charity can be found here: https://freetobekids.enthuse.com/pf/kevin-munt-08157 Image: c/o The Spine Race

This week's episode discusses final stories from this years Spine Race. Takes a quick look at other events last week including Terra Gigantes and HURT100. Before diving into a preview of likely Arc of Attrition conditions and a look at all of the mandatory kit. Finally a bit of a One Slam virtual event update for all of those in that challenge.

All the latest news plus a quick update on the Spine Race and thoughts/ lessons from watching this years event unfold.

This weekly episode begins with a very brief update on all things Centurion Running, before a run down of the latest Spine standing as of Monday afternoon - 30 hours into the main event. The rest of the episode features a full recap of the 2025 Centurion Running season, looking at each of the 12 races one by one. From course records to the stories at the back and everything in between.

In this episode, our RD and 2 x Winter Spine Finisher James Elson discusses final preparations and thoughts for this years Spine Race. That is followed by a conversation with our logistics manager Magda Strycharska who toes the line at the Spine Sprint North for the first time, next week. Good luck to all!

This weekly episode covers all the latest from Centurion Running, Ann Trason at Across The Years 6 Day, Recent British Long Distance Mid-Winter Records, One Slam results, Spine Race look ahead and much more.

The Race Briefing for the 2026 One Slam Virtual Event which gets underway tomorrow - December 25th. Entries still live via the website here: https://www.centurionrunning.com/races/one-virtual-slam-2026

This weeks episode takes a dive into the World Ultrarunner of the Year Awards, a brief look at Desert Solstice which took place over the weekend as well as all the latest news from Centurion Running.

A recap of the end of this years event and a summary of the final finishers.

An update from Day 4 of the Winter Downs 200 / Day 2 of the Winter Downs 100. All the results from the front of the mens and womens 100 miler, as well as the womens 200 miler. With 16 hours of the race still left to run!

An update of all the action from Day 3 of the Winter Downs 200 including the results from the front of the Mens race. As well as a look at the action from the first few hours of the Winter Downs 100.

An update from Day 2 of the Winter Downs 200 2025, 31 hours into the race.

A quick update on the progress of the 2025 Winter Downs 200 towards the end of Day 1.

This weeks episode starts a run of podcasts around the Winter Downs 200 & 100 which happen this week. Also covered, the Western States lottery and the scoring systems in our sport.

This weeks episode features a deep dive into the starting fields and likely outcomes for the 2025 Winter Downs 100 and 200 mile races which kick off next week.

This weeks episode focuses on some ideas to stay consistent over the winter and an update on all things Centurion before a look at last weekends races at JFK50, Ultra Trail Cape Town and the finale of the World Trail Majors Series.

This week episode features a in-depth recap of the 2025 Wendover Woods 50. Other topics covered in the news section include a brief look at Ultra Trail Cape Town, Kendal Mountain Festival and some Black Friday deals.

This weeks podcast features a preview of this weekends ninth Wendover Woods 50. Our RD James Elson also covers off the latest news including World Records at Tunnel Hill, the results from the World Trail Majors - Grampian Peaks Trail 100 and 50km and some incredible masters age group performances.

This weeks news includes all the latest from Centurion Running, a look at the latest races including GPT100, new UTMB buy outs, XNRG Druids Challenge, SDW100 elite athlete news and how horrendous and brilliant a half marathon can really be.

All the latest news from Centurion Running plus a race review of Caesars Camp Endurance Run/ 100 miler which no longer exists but was in many ways a forerunner to other ultra events around the UK today.

This week James Elson recaps the 2025 Autumn 100 where a new fastest all time British 100 Mile Trail time of 13:03 was run, alongside an amazingly tight and competitive womens race. Other topics include the VK world record going down, Grand Raid Reunion, World 24hr Champs and Bigs Backyard.

This weeks episode covers the latest news before focusing in on the Autumn 100 which kicks off this weekend. There is an in depth preview of this years field, some of the background and detail around the race and of course then a comparitive difficulty rating to finish with!

Weekly news from the world of Ultrarunning and a Race Review of the 24hr format in general, including the history of 24hr racing and a look ahead at the 24hr World Champs at Albi upcoming. Plus a relative difficulty review of the format against more traditional races.

This week as usual covers all the latest news from us here at Centurion as well as a look at recent news from the sport including Dave Phillips' North Downs Way FKT, the World Trail Champs, Spartathlon and more.

This weeks topics include a recap of the 2025 Chiltern Wonderland 50 race and results. Course cutting at TDG. Vietnam Mountain Marathon and a look ahead to World Champs weekend and Spartathlon.

This weeks news features a Tor Des Geants recap and a look ahead at the upcoming Chiltern Wonderland 50 including the likely contenders for the top spots.

Head of Endurance Robbie Britton chats to James Elson about the upcoming Tor Des Geants, covering training, preparation and planning for the 200 mile mountain epic.

This week our founder James Elson chats about the recent races, catches up on Centurion Running news and looks ahead to upcoming events.

RD James Elson covers the latest news and all things Centurion. A run down of our new deferral, refund, wait list policy. An insight into UTMB Index and why most of our races are going back on. And a look back at the Grand Raid Pyrenees from this past weekend.

RD James Elson recaps the record breaking 2025 North Downs Way 100, with the story of both the womens and mens races from the front, tales from the trail and all the other news from the day.

Our race review series takes us to Lavaredo Ultra Trail. RD James Elson recaps this years' event and reviews the how, where and why of this event in the heart of the Dolomites.

The latest in our Race Review series, RD James Elson takes you through Western States 100 - how, where, why and what is it like to run this classic race.

SDW RD James Elson and Robbie Britton recap the 2025 SDW100 & 50km results.

An in-depth look at all the likely leading contenders for the overall positions at this years South Downs Way 100 and South Downs Way 50km - with James Elson and Robbie Britton. Both races are part of the World Trail Majors.

RD James Elson talks through the Old Dominion 100 in this latest of our race review pods - giving a runners eye view into the what, why, where and how of specific races and ultras from near and far.

The second of our pre-race South Downs Way 100 & 50km elite athlete interviews features a conversation with Mark Darbyshire. Part of our Centurion Ultra Team, Mark recently won the SDW50 and is the course record holder at the Arc of Attrition, UTS100, Lakeland 100, NDW100 and many more. He is running the SDW100 this time out.

The first of our pre-race South Downs Way 100 & 50km elite athlete interviews features a conversation with Julia Davis - part of the Centurion Coaching Team, Team GB athlete on the trails and on the road over 100km. Running in her first 100 mile race at this years SDW100.

James Elson recaps the 2025 North Downs Way 50 including a bit about the history of the race and how this years event unfolded from front to back.

RD James Elson recaps this years Thames Path 100, leading to an interview with new 1000 mile buckle winner Tremayne Cowdry - who walked every step of this years race due to a new long-term injury. Hear about his background, the diagnosis, what led him to try and how he suceeded for the tenth and final time.

The latest in the Race Review Series - RD James Elson covers the London Marathon - what it is like to run it and why it is such a special race.

A recap of the 2025 SDW50 with RD James Elson covering off the race from the front to the back and everyone in between.