Records fell, legends were made, and Gary nearly got taken out by Mark Darbyshire mid-race.

This week, Gary returns from filming the Centurion 2025 South Downs Way 100 — one of the most stacked and exciting UK trail races we’ve seen in years — and sits down with Ben to relive it all. From Darbyshire’s outrageous new course record to the epic showdown between Lucy Gossage and Julia Davis, this was a weekend that raised the bar for UK ultrarunning.

We talk tactics, course conditions, the golden hour, team battles, pole debates, and why this race might be a turning point for trail running on home soil. And yes, we still find time to discuss Greggs, dodgy plug sockets and whether Wetherspoons has the best post-race kit aesthetic.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏁 Behind the scenes at one of the UK’s biggest 100-milers

🎥 What it was like filming the front of the race

🏆 Mark Darbyshire’s course record – and Mark Perkins handing over the baton

🔥 The Gossage vs Davis battle – both under the old women’s record

🗣️ Why the field was so deep this year (and what it means for the UK scene)

🥵 Tales from the golden hour and near-miss moments

⚡ Ben’s take on pacing, poles, and future UK race potential

Why You Should Listen:

If you care about the future of UK trail running, this one’s for you. Whether you ran, watched, or are just curious how close Gary came to being flattened by an elite runner, this is the full breakdown of a race weekend we’ll be talking about for years.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro

0:04:30 How Gary Covered the SDW100

0:10:21 Filming with Drones and Lead Bikes

0:13:32 Fastest 100 Mile Trail Race in the UK?

0:19:12 Mark Darbyshire's Record-Breaking Run

0:23:41 Who Is Hugh Tibbs? Back-to-Back Podiums

0:29:30 Morgan Glazier's Incredible Performance

0:34:06 Lucy Gossage vs Julia Davis: Epic Women's Race

0:39:35 Why UK Ultras Are Getting More Competitive

0:45:13 Golden Hour Finishes and Emotional Stories

0:49:37 Age Group Winners and Veteran Legends

0:54:46 Wrap-Up and What’s Coming Next on RUNcensored

#RUNcensored #SDW100 #MarkDarbyshire #LucyGossage #UltraRunning #TrailRunning #CenturionRunning #WorldTrailMajors #RunningPodcast #GoldenHour #UKUltras

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh off the back of a stunning sub-14-hour Bob Graham Round, inov-8 athlete Andy Berry joins Gary and Ben for one of the most open and inspiring episodes yet.

Recorded in the inov-8 office, this episode covers the highs of Andy’s record-breaking year and the lessons learned along the way — from big UK mountain rounds like the Tranter and Bob Graham, to moments of burnout, difficult decisions, and ultimately, rediscovering joy in running.

This is a conversation about ego, identity, coaching, and what happens when you step away from chasing results — and return stronger for it.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏔️ What went right in Andy’s sub-14 Bob Graham Round

🥾 Lessons from Dragon’s Back, Tranter’s, and supporting others

🍽️ Diet, fuelling and recovery breakthroughs

🧠 The mental toll of elite-level expectations

🗣️ Coaching other runners while quietly burning out

🎯 Why stepping back helped Andy fall back in love with running

Why You Should Listen:

Whether you’re training for a mountain round, recovering from a rough patch, or figuring out your own balance between performance and passion — Andy’s story will speak to you.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 - Intro & catching up with Andy Berry

02:30 - How Dragon’s Back started to unravel

07:45 - Underfuelled, overcooked: the crash begins

13:20 - Ego, identity & what kept him pushing

18:50 - Being filmed during the breakdown

23:40 - The real reason Andy stopped running

28:30 - The aftermath: guilt, pressure & self-worth

33:10 - Coaching other runners with a new mindset

39:00 - What performance means beyond the podium

44:15 - Is Andy stepping away from big rounds?

49:50 - Navigating expectations from sponsors & social media

55:20 - When not running becomes the right choice

01:01:00 - Redefining goals & running for joy again

01:06:30 - Could Andy return to Dragon’s Back?

01:12:10 - Reflections on past FKTs & future plans

01:18:40 - Rethinking training & avoiding burnout

01:24:00 - Final thoughts on growth & identity

01:30:10 - Wrap up & sign off

Why You Should Listen:

This is a rare look behind the curtain of elite trail running. If you’ve ever questioned your goals, pulled out of a race, or felt the weight of expectation — this one will hit home. It’s raw, reflective, and still full of laughs from three mates who’ve all blown up a few times.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

#RUNcensored #BobGrahamRound #AndyBerry #TrailRunning #UltraRunning #MountainRunning #FellRunning #RunningPodcast #inov8 #RunningMotivation

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the return of ChatGBT – and you lot didn’t hold back. In this episode, Gary House, Ben Mounsey, and behind-the-scenes Chris tackle listener-submitted questions about running, gear, van life and (gulp) one of the most controversial debates in sport today.

Expect brutally honest answers, thoughtful tangents, and more laughs than any coaching session should legally allow. From shoe drops and descending fears to gender categories and pub-run logistics, nothing is off limits.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Downhill fear and how to overcome it
• Are barefoot and zero-drop shoes good for trail running?
• Transitioning to minimalist footwear without injury
• Trail shoe trends (La Sportiva Prodigio and more)
• Campervan weekends, wild running spots, and pub runs
• Why women’s and men’s shoes are designed differently
• The transgender debate in sport: fairness vs inclusivity
• 
  

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 – Intro, fish finger sandwich trauma & Gary’s digestive gamble

4:05 – How to build confidence when descending trails

9:20 – Are barefoot shoes a good idea or a marketing gimmick?

13:40 – Transitioning to minimalist footwear safely

17:10 – La Sportiva Prodigio and what’s coming in trail shoes

21:45 – Chris asks about Ben’s campervan pub-run in Wanlockhead

26:30 – Wild running spots, Dales pubs, and van life chaos

31:15 – Gendered shoe design: Men’s vs Women’s lasts

35:00 – Should we have an open category in competitive sport?

42:40 – Outro and closing thoughts

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re into shoes, trails, banter, van-based adventure or unfiltered honesty, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. It's one part running advice, one part pub chat, and one part full-send honesty about the culture of our sport.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

#RUNcensored #TrailRunning #BarefootRunning #ZeroDropShoes #RunningPodcast #DownhillRunning #OpenCategory #RunningGear #MinimalistRunning #GenderInSport #GaryHouse #BenMounsey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 25: Why Relay Races Are Taking Over Trail Running | RUNcensored Podcast EP25

In this episode of RUNcensored, Gary House and Ben Mounsey explore one of the fastest-growing trends in trail and fell running: relay races.

From grassroots legends like the Calderdale Way Relay to newcomers like the Spine Challenger North Relay, Gary and Ben look at why runners across the UK are trading solo suffering for team chaos—and loving every minute of it.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🟢 Why relay races are booming across the UK

🏔️ We explain how the relay formats works for trail events

🏃 Ben’s love for the iconic Calderdale Way Relay and the Hodgson Brother Relay

🥵 Stories of carnage, chaos, and club camaraderie

🏔️ Highlights from British Fell Relays, and the best relays on the European Circuit Trofeo Vanon,i the ASICS Coast to Coast and 9\\]The Rifugi

🧠 Why relays might be the antidote to ultra-running elitism

📣 Listener shoutouts and love for team racing culture

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 – Intro: Weekend catch-up and podcast housekeeping

2:40 – Gary introduces today’s topic: relay races

4:50 – Why relays are more fun than solo ultras

7:20 – Ben’s love for the Calderdale Way Relay

11:05 – How relay formats bring people into the sport

14:45 – The Lap, Green Man Ultra & Highland Ultra Relay

19:30 – Spine Challenger North Relay – new in 2025

23:40 – Chaos and teamwork: the best and worst of relays

28:15 – Old-school club racing culture

32:00 – Team tactics and navigation pressure

36:50 – Are relays the future of UK trail running?

41:10 – Funny stories from Ben’s club relay days

47:25 – The psychology of running as a team

53:05 – Why relay race reports are better

58:30 – Listener shoutouts and community love

1:05:00 – Tips for relay organisers and new runners

1:11:20 – Final thoughts and relay wishlists

1:17:45 – Next week’s episode tease & outro

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever wondered why more and more runners are racing in teams—or if you’ve survived a mud-soaked club relay yourself—this episode is for you. It’s got banter, memories, and a genuine look at how relays are reshaping the UK trail scene.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

#RUNcensored #RelayRaces #TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #CalderdaleWayRelay #SpineRace #RunningPodcast #GaryHouse #BenMounsey #ClubRunning #TeamRunning #MountainRunning #UKTrailRunning

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UTS 2025 Recap – Ice Pops, Elite Performances & Trail Chaos | RUNcensored Podcast EP24

In this episode of RUNcensored, Gary House and Ben Mounsey dive into everything that went down at the 2025 edition of Ultra-Trail Snowdonia Eryri by UTMB (UTS), the UK’s only UTMB World Series race.

Gary attended the event to support his friend Rich Lazenby in the 100-miler, hand out ice pops to overheating runners, and experience the full scale of UTS madness from the sidelines. Ben stayed home—and by the end of the episode, he's kind of glad he did.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🏁 UTS Race Structure – 100M, 100K, 50K, 25K and why the 100K was stacked this year

🧊 Ice Pops at Aid Stations – Gary’s grassroots contribution goes viral

📦 Logistics Mayhem – Missed turns, signal issues, soup gate, and more

📊 Elite Performances – Jon Albon, Blanchard, Collison, Roberts, Jones

🧠 The Mental Side – Rich Lazenby’s 100M low patch & Sam Skinner’s top-10 grit

🌍 The Bigger Picture – Is UTMB helping or hurting the grassroots UK trail scene?

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 – Intro: Weekend catch-up & Gary’s visit to UTS

6:23 – UTS race distances and UTMB’s influence on the event

10:13 – Crewing Rich Lazenby and the reality of the 100 miler

15:02 – Safety, terrain, and weather challenges in Eryri

20:26 – Elite performances across the 100M and 100K races

24:18 – Ice pops, checkpoint support & Gary’s viral aid station moment

29:11 – Logistics chaos: traffic, tracking, and signal dropouts

33:34 – Aid station inconsistencies and supply issues

38:00 – Water shortages, heat, and ‘soup gate’ drama

48:10 – Big names in the 100K: Albon, Blanchard, Collison, Jones

51:07 – UK trail running evolution and what’s changing

54:35 – Podium shoutouts: Sam Skinner, Laurie Morgan, Eleanor Davis

57:10 – UTMB’s impact on British trail events

1:00:06 – Community moments and listener interactions

1:08:03 – How RUNcensored is inspiring the next generation

1:14:03 – Race calendar congestion: UTS, The Arc, The Spine

1:23:34 – Final thoughts, reflections & future of UTS

Why You Should Listen:

If you care about ultrarunning, mountain racing, or the direction trail running is heading in the UK, this episode pulls no punches. It’s full of race highlights, honest critiques, personal stories, and shoutouts to some of the most inspiring athletes on the scene—including Stephanie Case, whose win went viral for all the right reasons.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

#RUNcensored #UTS2025 #UltraTrailSnowdonia #UTMBWorldSeries #TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #JonathanAlbon #StephanieCase #KimCollison #MathieuBlanchard #IcePopsAndElevation #RunningPodcast #MountainRunning #GaryHouse #BenMounsey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you become an internet meme overnight? Danny Andrews knows better than anyone. Back in 2007, he gained viral fame as the "Fish and a Rice Cake Guy" after appearing in the BBC Three documentary Baby Faced Bodybuilders. That clip—where he repeated his bizarre daily diet of fish and rice cakes—exploded on YouTube, turning Danny into an internet sensation. But what happened after the laughs?

In this episode, Gary and Ben sit down with Danny to unpack the reality behind the meme. From dealing with online trolls and unexpected fame to building a career as a barber and launching his own rice cake business, Danny shares the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🐟 Viral Fame – How 'Fish and a Rice Cake' took over the internet

✂️ Life After the Meme – Building a career as a barber and entrepreneur

🍚 Danny’s Rice Cake Business – Turning a meme into a marketable product

💬 Social Media and Negativity – Handling trolls and public pressure

⛰️ Lakeland Trails 10K – All the Gear, No Idea disaster in the Lake District

🤝 The Kindness of the Running Community – Why runners are different

🔥 Gary's Viral Video Strategy – How stereotypes made his content explode

📹 The "Stereotype Guy" Controversy – When jokes get taken too seriously

✅ Just Say Yes – Danny's new mentality for embracing every opportunity

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 – Intro and Meet Danny Andrews

4:15 – Becoming the “Fish and a Rice Cake Guy”

10:20 – Going Viral: The Highs and the Lows

18:50 – Life After the Meme: Barbershops and New Businesses

27:15 – The Dark Side of Social Media

33:45 – Paul Mort’s Advice on Handling Negativity

40:10 – Launching Danny’s Rice Cakes

48:30 – Gary’s Secrets to Viral Videos

55:50 – Danny’s ‘Just Say Yes’ Attitude

1:02:10 – Social Media’s Role in Running Culture

1:07:00 – Danny's Lakeland Trails 10K Story: All the Gear, No Idea

1:11:00 – The "Stereotype Guy" Video and Online Backlash

1:13:30 – Danny's Surprise at the Running Community

1:15:00 – Outro and What’s Next for Danny

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever wondered what happens after a viral meme fades away, Danny Andrews has the story. From being laughed at by millions to building his own business, Danny’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and saying yes to wild opportunities. Plus, we dive into all the gear, no idea moments, the kindness of the running community, and why sometimes, you just have to lean into the joke.

👉 New episodes every Tuesday – Follow & Subscribe!

#RUNcensored #RunningPodcast #FishAndRiceCakes #DannyAndrews #ViralFame #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #SocialMedia #PaulMort #EnduranceRunning #InternetMeme #ViralVideos #ContentCreation #JustSayYes #RunningCommunity #SocialMediaAndRunning #TrailRunning #LakelandTrails10K

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP22 - “My Brain Fell Out”: Mel Sykes on Running 268 Miles After Brain Surgery

How far would you go after brain surgery? For Mel Sykes, the answer was 268 miles. In this episode, Gary and Ben sit down with Mel to hear her incredible journey from brain surgery to completing the Montane Spine Race—one of the toughest endurance races in the world.

Diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, a condition where part of her brain pressed into her spinal canal, Mel faced surgery with the terrifying possibility that she might never run again. But instead of slowing down, she did the opposite. She signed up for the Spine Race—268 miles of relentless mud, snow, and hallucinations across the Pennine Way.

In This Episode:

• The first signs of Chiari Malformation—headaches, blurred vision, and balance issues
• Facing brain surgery and the mental strength it took to endure it
• Learning to walk and run again — one painful step at a time
• Entering the Spine Race post-surgery and battling through brutal conditions
• What it’s like to run 268 miles when your body has been through hell and back
• The state of cheating in ultra running and why race integrity matters

Key Moments:

00:00 – Intro and Meet Mel Sykes

05:00 – Discovering the Symptoms: Headaches, Blurred Vision & Balance Issues

11:30 – The Diagnosis: Chiari Malformation and the Road to Brain Surgery

19:45 – Facing the Surgery: Risks, Reality, and Mental Strength

27:20 – The Long Road to Recovery: Learning to Walk and Run Again

36:00 – Returning to the Trails: First Steps Back into Running

43:50 – Entering the Spine Race: 268 Miles of Brutality

53:15 – Training for Ultras Post-Surgery: Lessons Learned

1:01:40 – Facing Adversity: Running Through Pain and Pushing Limits

1:11:20 – Cheating Scandals in Ultra Running: Integrity and Fair Play

1:20:50 – Mel’s Mindset: How Brain Surgery Changed Her Approach

1:29:10 – Future Races and Plans: What’s Next for Mel?

1:36:30 – Outro and Final Reflections

🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_pklymQxtluqvkNmf41MYI7fOk8Ki_YT

💬 Got a question for Mel, Gary, or Ben? Drop us a message—we might read it out next episode!

#RUNcensored #RunningPodcast #TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #BrainSurgery #SpineRace #ChiariMalformation #EnduranceRunning #MentalStrength #AdventureRaces

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Ep21: The Biggest Weekend in Running? London, Manchester, Three Peaks, Fellsman & More

One weekend. Every race. All the drama.

Gary and Ben break down a stacked weekend in UK and international running, covering everything from world records in London to a historic win at the Fellsman — plus spicy takes on DNFs, influencer pressure, gear trends, and even robot marathons.

London Marathon 2025

• 58,000 runners and unseasonably hot conditions
• Peres Jepchirchir sets the women-only world record (2:16:16)
• Mohamed Mohamed finishes as top British man
• Alex Yee runs 2:09 on debut while still training for triathlon
• Eilish McColgan sets a new Scottish record as first British woman
• DNF rants, pacing mistakes, Instagram tears, and the rise of the “oxygen mask selfie”

Manchester Marathon

• Strong runs from Duncan, Mitch, and more
• Thoughts on race execution, disappointment, and recovery when things go wrong

Fellsman Ultra

• Anna Llwellyn becomes the first female overall winner in the race’s 61-year history
• What it means for women’s trail running and why these events need support to survive
• Commentary on the Fellsman’s history and future

Yorkshire Three Peaks Fell Race

• Alistair Brownlee toes the line, but it’s Ben Rothery who takes the win
• Nicola Jackson and Sharon Taylor dominate the women’s race
• Reflections on course changes, tactical racing, and fell legends like Karl Gray, Ricky Lightfoot, and Rob Jebb
• Is the Three Peaks still one of the UK’s great races?

Other UK Races

• Burnsall and Wharfedale trail events
• Dales Trails and grassroots fell support

Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT)

• Katie Schide takes on her partner Germain Grangier and nearly beats the men
• Could she challenge Courtney Dauwalter at UTMB this year?

Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji (UTMF)

• How live coverage and race prestige are shifting global trail running focus
• Wishlist races and dream destinations

Other Talking Points

• Branded campaigns and athlete pressure (including Sportsshoes stories)
• £900 Nike x Hyperice recovery boots
• Robot marathoners in China (yes, really)
• Everyone’s racing in hydration vests now — even at 5Ks
• And of course: Gary and Ben’s usual chaos, coaching insight, and unfiltered takes

Chapters

💬 Enjoying the episode? Leave a comment on YouTube or DM us on Instagram — we’ll read out some of your replies next week. And if you’re loving the pod, don’t forget to follow, rate and review. It helps more than you know!

#RUNcensored #RunningPodcast #LondonMarathon #ManchesterMarathon #Fellsman #ThreePeaks #TrailRunning #Ultrarunning #AlexYee #EilishMcColgan #KatieSchide #BethanLlewelyn #AlistairBrownlee #CourtneyDauwalter #MIUT #UTMF

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