Inspirational Runners You NEED To Know About

[@lornamadonna246]

Tbh Anna from TRC is one of my running heroes. When I first started running seriously a few years back, I stumbled on TRC so I went through all the old videos. I would be running and struggling running a 5k but I would listen and watch the videos of Anna taking on ultras. She was always honest and relatable and so positive that oh my runs I would tell myself “look she’s having trouble running tons of miles you can do this.” From there I just kept watching and all of you have become my heroes. Thank you all for what you do!

[@Cozwantsthatpie]

So this is a fitting podcast. As I was leaving the grocery store yesterday a guy stopped me. Telling me “Hey I know you don’t know me but I’ve been seeing you run around town for years. You’ve come a long way. I’m proud of you.” Definitely one of the best moments I’ve ever experienced

[@dresden_slowjog]

Oh wow, that is so beautiful!

[@pquirk99]

Anna Harding inspired me. She has such grit. My mantra for the most difficult stretches of a run, when I felt like giving up, was "What would Anna do?" I hope she retrns to the channel one day.

[@alexmacadam3170]

My favorite running hero is terry fox. In 1980,he ran a marathon every day for 143 days, 5373 km from St. John’s Newfoundland . He planned to finished in Victoria bc. point of Canada trying to rase money for cancer reaearch. He was a cancer survivor and had lost his leg to cancer a year prior. Unfortunately, he had to end his marathon of Hope in thunder Bay Ontario, because the cancer had returned and spread to his lung. In June of 1981 he passed away. And now 30 countries take part in the terry fox run every year to raise money for cancer research. The terry fox foundation has raised over $800 million since 1981.

[@mpollo01]

Love Terry Fox and his legacy! We are in Coquitlam and get to run his training routes often. He continues to inspire me and so many!

[@euan1234]

Absolutely! We were visiting Newfoundland 10 years ago, and with a little time before our flight, I requested to drive down to the waterfront and pay homage to his statue at the 'Mile 0' memorial, where he started his run

[@scottrobinson4611]

As someone who only got in to running in early 2024, my running hero is Russ Cook - The man who ran the entire length of Africa. It would be worth trying to get him on 'The Running Channel Meets'. I had been following his journey for a few months when I hit a pretty sudden period of burnout and depression. At some point I had a bit of an epiphany, inspired by the thought that if Russ could get up and run 60k every day in all sorts of inconvenient and difficult circumstances, I should at least be able to run a few kilometres once or twice each week with my otherwise comfortable life. That was in February. It's now November and I've changed my body and my life significantly. I run my 2nd half-marathon next weekend, optimistically aiming for sub-2, but more likely Rick's beloved 2:05 (5 past 2). I've lost 20kg, I've got my 5k time down from 36mins in April to 26:12 this morning.

[@RetsamX]

Russ is such a boss.

[@robertfarris7375]

I got into running after a bad ATV accident in 2008. Always been athletic but never a runner. After I healed with long term issues, my friends talked me into running a 4 miler and then joining a running club. My inspiration is Mr. Neal in our club. 85 years young and has a tremendous attitude toward life. He once fell during our 10 miler, busted up his face pretty bad but refused help until he completed the race. EMT folks stitched him up and he never complained. I want to be running at his age. 💪🙏

[@dresden_slowjog]

Ethiopian-born Dutch runner SIFAN HASSAN. Her legendary, funny, humble, thankful post-race interview after winning her first marathon London 2023 straight away! She did her peak training while obeying Ramadan so no drinking! Giving her drink to her competitor. Stopping mid-race to stretch her piriformis (male commentator giving up on her) then winning with a furious finish. Only woman to win 5000m, 10000m and Marathon gold. 2021 Olympics: Falling at the 1500m prelim heats, get back up and winning the thing! Never give up! Go watch that full 2023 interview. I became an instant fanboy of hers! Hup Holland hup!

[@kin.9133]

Sarah's story with the gym and the squat rack is so relatable

[@Leeroy49]

Thank you Rick's and Andy's teacher for being who you are.

[@WilliamHickman-i4z]

My running inspirations are: an ex-coworker in his 60s. He started running in his late 40s after a lifetime of unhealthy living. He works hard physically all day on a building site and runs in the morning, evening or both. He has run and is still running sub-3 hour marathons all over the world. He broke his 5k PB this year during London marathon training (low 18 minutes). He puts so much into it and gets so much back. He inspired me to run and do some research on training. Jakob Ingebrigtsten is my other. He’s not everyone’s favourite person but he was raised in a very different family dynamic to most people. He’s always had a lot of pressure on him to perform and he absorbs it very well. He’s very open about his training and isn’t secretive about what he does or what he’s thinking. He can suffer a defeat and then come straight back out and run a world record, he never loses belief

[@sennysoon]

Honey is THE tasiest!...of all the insect vomits that we've tried (so far). But seriously, honey contains far more antioxidants, antimicrobials, vitamins and minerals than golden syrup, even though both are inverted sugars. Basically taken something good and stripped all the extra benefits out of it. Golden syrup is the epitome of all that's wrong with our over processed food culture, in a bottle. Sincerely, Proud advocate of our local Jarrah & Manuka honey produce from Western Australia.

[@michaelager2540]

my mother got me into atletics around 83 - 84 , i was 10 / 11 , was really into seb coe and steve cram , then when i got older it was linford christie , sally gunnel , colin jackson and johnothan edwards , then when i started doing my sort os specialised event ( the 400 metrs ) my fave brit was roger black , also liked euan thomas and jamie baulch , but i guess my hero was michael johnson

[@runningchannel]

What a great list!!

[@WilliamHickman-i4z]

29:30 I started running on a treadmill as I got terrible shin splints running outside. The treadmill allowed me to build up strength in my legs on a smooth, level surface and then I could begin running outside. I ran a half marathon PB in April and my training was easy runs outdoors (3/week) and half marathon pace intervals on the treadmill (2/week). My advice for the transition would be to add in one short run outdoors a week, you will use muscles that haven’t been tested before and will be sore. Slowly increase the length of that run and then add more days as you feel ready. Don’t worry about paces, just make it your easy run. Once you’re well adjusted, you could start doing half marathon pace intervals within your long run, e.g 3/4 miles easy, 1/4 mile half marathon pace. The intervals can then be increased in length once you have got comfortable with the pace

[@michaelager2540]

also on a local thing , i guess i got carried away before i listened to this , my coach at my running club , norfolk olympiads , his name was Tim Ash , ( between 86 - 89 ) although i did 400 metres , he was a middle distance coach , and i used to feel it after the sessions , but he used to love the fact i always smiled when in his prescence , and he wld say , " michael , keep smiling " , and also got me two wins at the norfolk county chamionship 400 metres , think it was 86 and 88 or 89 , and i got my p.b in the 88 or 89 final final of 55 seconds ( and change ) , but he never jidged me because i never had the brand name shorts and shoes compared to the other lads , but i still think of him to this day

[@euan1234]

I think my ultimate hero has to be Emil Zatopek. Not just for his running records, but his personality and values. He brought together all nations during the Olympics, who gathered together in his dorm room. He gave one of his medals to a friend who 'deserved one'. He gave up his bed one night during the Olympics to a journalist who was interviewing him and had no place to sleep. He took a stand and refused to join the Soviet scheme and chose instead to clean toilets. And my favourite is when he won his third gold in 1952, the Czech athletes went to carry him on their shoulders, but instead it was the Jamaica4x400m team who got to him first and they carried him. You won't see that these days!

[@euan1234]

and how could I forget the classic - during his first ever marathon: "is this pace not too quick?", "no, it is too slow" (in reality it *was* too quick), "Ok, thanks" - and he runs off the front and gets the gold medal

[@davidtopham184]

Last weekend both my runs felt rubbish, I got through the weekend and wasn't optimistic about the half marathon that was on this past Saturday. I listened to the podcast a few weeks ago talking about Ricks half marathon, and how the training leading up to it in the last few runs that they didn't feel that good, but he still smashed out a good time on his half marathon. I got to the race this weekend and felt good, ate well beforehand, took 16 minutes off my PB and ran under my ambitious target I had set for 4 weeks out of my actual target run. Glad I got to hear something that I needed to hear a few weeks ago, definitely found inspiration on the run from this podcast. Scrapped the rest of the training plan as this was the main run I was aiming to actually hit, and hit it early, so now it's on to marathon training, aiming to take over an hour off my PB for that, should be achievable.

[@TheKorath]

At the moment probably Jasmine Paris she seems like such a down to earth person to have done such an amazing thing. Other than that I like Goran Winblad on youtube as he seems so genuine and provides a lot of helpful advice.

[@pquirk99]

Agree to both!

[@PaulRichardson-uf7bf]

Golden syrup for the win, tipped straight out of the metal tin.

[@Rubz3211]

Rick- you'll have to try out Mole Valley parkrun in Dorking- right through Denbies vineyard!

[@runningchannel]

Oooooo good shout!!

[@nbdool]

I love this podcast always but this episode is HILARIOUS! Laughed out loud so many times 😂 You have hit such a stride (pun eh?!) and are so comfortable with the camera and each other ❤ just having the craic as we say in Ireland! Runna app 8 wk 5k improvement plan just got me a pb of 24:25 and that’s with 2 st to lose (have already lost 1 st and I’m in the zone 😂) what do you think people, could I go sub 20 with the weight gone or is that a ridiculous dream for 42f?!

[@RossNixon]

It is possible, but would require so much carefully planned training and a big time commitment. And the more weight you can lose, within reason, the better.

[@williamallen9145]

You might be able to knock off a minute or two by losing 2 stone yes. You will likely have to gain a lot of extra fitness too though as 20 minutes is a lot more difficult than 24 minutes. There’s no reason it can’t be done at 42 though, and women can also run that fast.

[@nbdool]

Thanks for the feedback! It's kind of what I was thinking, I'll keep training and losing weight and just see where it takes me!

[@didtoknan8128]

You guys are my running heroes!

[@Smurchdog]

4:09 Rick, you didn’t just ‘kiss’ your PB, you snogged it hard and almost got to third base!

[@kxs7267]

My inspiration: most importantly, my father. He died many years ago so the details have faded, but he used to run long distance on track for his medical school in Kolkatta. He got me interested in running as a small child, and in racing tactics and all aspects of distance running - we had a whole collection of books on the running greats of his time. I went into another distance sport but I'm picking up running again and it reminds me of him. His other favourite event was long jump, which is why we had a home-made long-jump pit where other kids might have had an ordinary sand pit. :-)

[@kxs7267]

I have added other inspirations through the years. Most recently, Jasmin Paris.

[@leirem0]

Congrats on the PB Rick! I'm watching this as I'm getting ready for my first ever half marathon race... whilst pregnant 😅 given how similar pregnancy can be to a hangover and how I also can't eat anything you've reassured me that I might actually smash it out the park, and not crash and burn like I'm expecting 😆

[@leirem0]

P.s. am I eating golden syrup on porridge as pre race fuel as we speak 👌🏻

[@IssieAndLife]

Rick... well done on your PB! But, I am not surprised in the slightest. You're going to get even faster if you continue running consistently. I also ran a 1h53m half marathon the same day you you did yours. At the time my 5K PB was 24:35, but 2 weeks ago I ran a 22:49. You're a lot faster than me over 400m - my fastest is a measly 92 seconds!

[@MartinNikel-yt6fs]

Mine was always Andy Baddeley

[@runningchannel]

He’ll be touched to know that!

[@MartinNikel-yt6fs]

@@runningchannel he had the same/similar running style as me, albeit just a few years after my ‘time’ in athletics, always impressed by his work ethic!

[@ulfeliasson5413]

My running hero. Well... Myself No ego there. And you guys, of course.

[@jeffblalack64]

Ovett, Coe, and Cram. Inspiration to a teen-aged runner

[@jeffblalack64]

But I am really enjoying following Phily Bowden's journey right now

[@przemysawromanczyk6700]

TRC should do Rick challenge. Running with hangover on Saturday morning after 2am kebab :D. I'm not sure what would be a goal but i it would be fun.

[@AndrewBush_XK]

Haven’t met my running hero, but did meet my sporting hero Sir Kenny Dalglish. He was so wonderful to talk to so I asked for a selfie. Unfortunately for me I was so overcome with nerves the picture was a complete blur 😂

[@severiner7168]

I do not like the squeezy golden syrup container I have had to use for my porridge, it's always sticky and if I put it opening at the bottom to have a speedier squeeze, it then get sticky on my shelf.. I think I might try and find the tin as it's too much first thing in the morning. Thanks for talking about this important issue.

[@craigfaulkner8455]

Rick would build a vineyard and kabab shop so he would be set for running

[@Aeronwor]

"I'm ok at a lot of different things" - triathlon in a nutshell. :)

[@roberttaylor5825]

The only way to eat porridge -cooked with water and salt, made on the cooker!- and a splash of cold milk on top once it’s in the bowl!

[@silvermandavid]

I love what happened with the rivalry between Ingebringsten and Kerr. All the trash talking in the lead up to the Olympics and who actually won the 1500 meters? The guy who didn't do any talking, but just ran fast. Cole Hocker.

[@colinm9168]

As a kid it was Steve Cram , Carl Lewis then when a little older Sonja O Sullivan, robbed by Mas army !! Ed moses and Michael Johnson were up there too.

[@robertaartro-morris5505]

Oddly enough as someone who predominantly has run middle and longer distances, while I got into athletics in the era of Coe, Ovett and Cram, and would count them all among my heroes, my real idols were Daley Thompson and Linford Christie.

[@Duffers782]

Maple, Golden, Honey!

[@Shinyhunterj-p3p]

Mine is either eliud kipchoge (I know it's basic) I've been running on and off for years, im still in highschool and there's very little runners nearby and none that I know personally

[@runningchannel]

He’s great running inspiration!!

[@Elisabethska]

So note to self: Next friday - plan a night out with alcohol and a night kebab.. Thought I played it safe on this weeks park run with a healthy meal and lots of water yesterday, early to bed and a good nights sleep - but today's Park run felt like absolute sh*t...

[@michelleharnett1351]

Golden syrup, No further discussion.

[@MrArnie82]

Thanks. For that, just checking parkruns for Christmas and New Year . Does this mean 4 parkruns in 2 weeks

[@timwildauer5063]

15:26 no hesitation 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ulfeliasson5413]

Do an interview with Lee Grantham. Inspirational guy x 10.

[@nicolasadie8551]

Did Sarah ever get to say who her second person was? I didn't hear it when listening on my run yesterday so came here to check, but I think we never found out!

[@Thegreat772]

We've got the same vo2 max and 5k time now 😀

[@jeremyholton4085]

Question from a future visitor from the US wanting to test himself on the hills of North London, which is more challenging…Camden Town or Hackney? TIA 😂

[@runningchannel]

Ooooo we’d have to say Camden!

[@pauljaffray6437]

Love the podcas but has Rick drank the bottle of wine behind you Sarah? 😂

[@gayleewoo]

Maple syrup, Golden syrup, lots of other sugar alternatives, then honey. Stevia doesn't make it on the list at all. Agave has a weird aftertaste. My hubs and I had this conversation after last week's podcast

[@sam.v4]

impossible to avoid hills in North London, can be annoying

[@craigfaulkner8455]

Ah rick that explains why you set a new pb it was the wine and kebab combination

[@scottcollier9178]

Someone better tell Rick that Gabby Thomas is featured in season two of Sprint.

[@dewi_runs]

Golden syrup first, then honey, then in the bin with the maple syrup.

[@RightRoundYe]

NINETEEN year old breaks the Parkrun record which Andy broke as a 30 (?) year old... get him on the show!

[@jamestremblett1875]

Terry Fox

[@samuelbooth4969]

Got to love those PEDs (performance enhancing Döner)

[@isaacaldridge5562]

Friday night kebabs 🤝 Park run PBs

[@peterdeakin464]

Honey all the way.😂🤣

[@jeffreyburns5137]

Kerr and Ingebrigtsen race so few times because Kerr keeps ducking

[@paulalex1362]

If a PT kicked me off a piece of kit in my gym, I'd cancel my membership! Poor form...

[@GTE_Channel]

Lessons learned: 1. Don't eat before a park run, you don't need it 2. Alcohol is fuel to

[@eoincasey5461]

Mo Farah 😅😅 The guy who couldn't hear his doorbell when the drug testing guys came......

[@ifonly4486]

Unless one lives in northern Canada with minus 50C temps one should NEVER run indoor.....

[@playtester6635]

Nah, I still go out at those temps. Just dress appropriately

[@thegeneticsgirl]

It’s dark after work at this time of year, so it’s hard to find somewhere safe to run right now. I run outside on the weekends!

[@Average-Manuel]

As a weightlifter, i desperatly need rolemodels to motivate me to run: James Cunnama ( @GTN ) because of his courage and honesty. Jeff Pelletier & Audree Lafreniere Sarah Place Florian Neuschwandet 🤘🏻

[@silvermandavid]

What on earth is "golden syrup"? Must be a UK thing that no one really likes, like Marmite.

[@gayleewoo]

Golden syrup is cane sugar in liquid form, it's delicious. I think in the US it's called light treacle