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The Sapphire Running Zone Podcasts

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All around the world runners are pounding the streets with many different aims and objectives. Some are running to get fit and others are training for an event. Many are fundraising for their favourite charity. Here we chat to some of those runners and share their goals and aspirations. Hopefully you’ll pick up something that will make your running even more fulfilling.
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The Sapphire Running Zone specialises in providing running training and fundraising support for runners of all levels. Founder Tim Rogers is a veteran of 73 marathons and over 200 half marathons, many in fancy dress. He held the world record for running an official marathon on all 7 continents in the quickest time, has written 3 running books and was one of the first to run all of the world marathon majors in a calendar year. Here Tim and special guests will share their experiences and answe ...
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What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is the abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine and can affect people of any age, from babies to adults. Having scoliosis means that a person’s spine curves to the side. The spine can sometimes twist at the same time and as a result, this twisting can pull the ribcage out of position. Living with scoliosis can be challenging and sometimes painful and it is important that a person with scoliosis sees a scoliosis specialist. We can put you in touch with scolios ...
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1
THE WORLD OF RUNNING EVENTS

The Sapphire Running Zone

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This podcast series looks into the world of running events in detail. The pandemic had a devastating impact on a sector that was in great health heading into 2020. What’s happened since? What events are growing and which ones are struggling? Is the half marathon the distance of the future, or can the marathon fight back? We have race directors and others involved in the sector, from events large and small, giving us their thoughts.
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Ben Gregoriou shares his journey to the Great North Run. From his first steps into running to fundraising for the Silver Star Maternity Fund charity, race-day challenges, and future goals, Ben’s story highlights the motivation, community, and emotion behind every mile. Ben wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Prof Christopher Redmond at the Silver Sta…
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Discover how to set and achieve your running goals, from 5K to marathon with Andrew Ogierman who has run 100 half marathons. Get practical training tips, goal-setting strategies, and proven motivation hacks. Learn how to build consistency, improve performance, and avoid burnout. Whether you’re a beginner or chasing your best time, this podcast help…
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Jon, a chef from the West Midlands, ran his first marathon to raise funds for Scoliosis Support & Research, inspired by his daughter Poppy, who was diagnosed with scoliosis before her first birthday. Battling the heat of the London Marathon, he raised over £3,000 for this important cause. In this episode, Jon shares his inspirational running story,…
  continue reading
 
Melissa took a unique approach to marathon training in December, combining her training plan with innovative strategies that paid off on race day. With over £3,000 raised for charity, her fundraising approach was just as effective as her running preparation. Listen to Melissa share her London Marathon journey, her insights on training differently, …
  continue reading
 
Stephen Johnson faced a challenging journey to the 2025 London Marathon, battling injuries like bruised ribs from a warm-up fall and a knee that required a cortisone injection just days before race day. Despite the heat and these setbacks, Stephen powered through to achieve an impressive finish time and exceeded his fundraising goals. In this episo…
  continue reading
 
Riley James is a fundraising superstar who raised an impressive £4,500 for Scoliosis Support & Research through a creative marathon raffle. In this episode, Riley shares his 2025 London Marathon experience, including behind-the-scenes stories, race-day challenges, and practical tips for future marathon runners. Whether you’re preparing for your fir…
  continue reading
 
Aoibheann from Derry proves that scoliosis doesn’t stop determination. During her 30-Day Running Challenge, she ran an impressive 100km in a month while balancing her commitments, including playing for her local football team. Along the way, she raised an incredible £1,000 for Scoliosis Support & Research, inspiring others to combine fitness and fu…
  continue reading
 
Lucy Russell-Bates was one of the lucky few to secure a ballot entry for the 2025 London Marathon, and she made every moment count. Having undergone scoliosis surgery twice, Lucy set out to raise funds for Scoliosis Support & Research, initially targeting £500. By race day, she had raised nearly five times her goal and enjoyed an unforgettable expe…
  continue reading
 
Discover how to set and achieve your running goals, from 5K to marathon with Andrew Ogierman who has run 100 half marathons. Get practical training tips, goal-setting strategies, and proven motivation hacks. Learn how to build consistency, improve performance, and avoid burnout. Whether you’re a beginner or chasing your best time, this podcast help…
  continue reading
 
As part of a ‘3 Halfs in a Month’ challenge supporting Young Lives vs Cancer, Frank White tackled the London Landmarks Half Marathon, along with the Bideford Half and Bath Half. In this episode, Frank shares a detailed race recap, offering insights into his strategy, how he improved his times across all three events, and the motivation behind his c…
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Your fundraising page can make or break your campaign. In this episode, we share practical fundraising tips for personalizing your page, keeping supporters engaged, and maximizing donations. Plus, hear insights from Hannah Lane (Move for Hunger, US), a charity fundraising manager who helps runners and fundraisers get the most from their campaigns. …
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Charity Running Inspiration: Izzy Hunter’s 10K Challenge Izzy Hunter, diagnosed with scoliosis, ran her first 10K in 30-degree heat and raised £1,655 for the Scoliosis Support & Research charity. Listen to her inspirational running story and learn how she turned a running challenge into a powerful fundraising achievement. If you'd like to follow in…
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Ultra Marathon Inspiration: Mark’s West Highland Way Challenge Ten years after losing his son, Mark completed the 150km West Highland Way ultra marathon, raising over £9,000 for charity. Listen to his inspirational running story and discover how he conquered this gruelling endurance challenge from start to finish. If you'd like to support Mark here…
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Mary Keane’s London Marathon 2026 Journey for BackCare Charity After Covid and injuries delayed her plans, Mary Keane is back, training for the 2026 London Marathon and fundraising for BackCare Charity. Follow her inspirational running journey, get training insights, and see how she’s preparing for race day. You can support Mary by making a donatio…
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Finding the right running shoes is key to performance and injury prevention. In this episode, we share expert tips on how to choose running shoes, avoid common mistakes, and get the most out of your running gear. Perfect for beginners and seasoned runners looking to upgrade their running shoes. For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningz…
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Running, Fitness & Wellbeing: Chris’s Inspirational Story Chris overcame cancer and life’s challenges to get back in the best shape of his life. A former elite marathon runner, he shares how running, fitness, and fundraising helped him manage stress, prioritize wellbeing, and reclaim his passion for life. An emotional and motivational listen. For m…
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Chef Joel Mays III: From Beginner to Marathoner & BackCare Charity Runner Joel Mays III started running in June 2022 and has already completed three marathons. He shares his running journey, training tips in the heat of Dallas, and preparation for the London Marathon 2026, where he’ll run for the BackCare Charity. You can support him by making a do…
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Tapantosh Chakrabarty began running marathons at age 50 in 2000, and 25 years later, he shows no signs of stopping. With over 30 of the World Marathon Majors, races on all seven continents, and numerous top destination marathons completed, Tapantosh has a wealth of experience to share. In this episode, he recounts his most memorable marathon storie…
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Grant recently restarted running and has already signed up for a Tough Mudder and the Loch Ness Marathon. As a diabetic, he carefully manages his nutrition and training as he increases his long runs. In this episode, follow Grant’s running journey, get insights into training for endurance events, and see how he prepares for one of the most scenic a…
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Jon, a chef from the West Midlands, ran his first marathon to raise funds for Scoliosis Support & Research, inspired by his daughter Poppy, who was diagnosed with scoliosis before her first birthday. Battling the heat of the London Marathon, he raised over £3,000 for this important cause. In this episode, Jon shares his inspirational running story,…
  continue reading
 
How long does it really take to train for a marathon? While most runners follow a 16–20 week training program, Adam took a different approach. With 20 years of elite swim training behind him, he adapted his preparation in a unique way. In this episode, discover how an elite swimmer transitioned to marathon running, the strategies he used, and what …
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Race day at the London Marathon 2025 wasn’t ideal for personal bests—but George Heslop nearly broke the 3-hour barrier! From a 4:20 debut marathon to this incredible milestone, George shares his journey, the training strategies he used, and his top tips for running a faster marathon. Listen to his marathon progression story, discover how he improve…
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Jade, a dedicated member of the Cornwall Hospice Care fundraising team, faced extra pressure raising funds for the charity—but she delivered, surpassing her pledge and enjoying an incredible day at the London Marathon. Her inspirational running story has motivated others to lace up their shoes and start running for charity. Now, Jade is setting her…
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Everything was going smoothly for Sian during marathon training, until a knee injury threatened to stop her from reaching the start line. But she persevered, walking the London Marathon in the sun, raising over £3,000 for charity, and enjoying every moment of the experience. In this episode, Sian shares her inspirational journey, insights on walkin…
  continue reading
 
Melissa took a unique approach to marathon training in December, combining her training plan with innovative strategies that paid off on race day. With over £3,000 raised for charity, her fundraising approach was just as effective as her running preparation. Listen to Melissa share her London Marathon journey, her insights on training differently, …
  continue reading
 
Join Matt, a dedicated runner from Derby, as he shares his 2025 London Marathon review. Despite the heat adding a few minutes to his finish time, it didn’t matter—Matt loved every moment of his marathon training and executed his race perfectly on the day. In this episode, he discusses his race day experience, training insights, and lessons learned,…
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Michael secured his London Marathon 2025 entry through Kidney Research UK in January, and despite the short notice, he raised over £3,500 for the charity. On race day, he enjoyed every moment and achieved an impressive sub-4-hour marathon, capping off an incredible campaign. Michael also shares his innovative fundraising ideas, the camaraderie of h…
  continue reading
 
Stephen Johnson faced a challenging journey to the 2025 London Marathon, battling injuries like bruised ribs from a warm-up fall and a knee that required a cortisone injection just days before race day. Despite the heat and these setbacks, Stephen powered through to achieve an impressive finish time and exceeded his fundraising goals. In this episo…
  continue reading
 
Riley James is a fundraising superstar who raised an impressive £4,500 for Scoliosis Support & Research through a creative marathon raffle. In this episode, Riley shares his 2025 London Marathon experience, including behind-the-scenes stories, race-day challenges, and practical tips for future marathon runners. Whether you’re preparing for your fir…
  continue reading
 
Lucy Russell-Bates was one of the lucky few to secure a ballot entry for the 2025 London Marathon, and she made every moment count. Having undergone scoliosis surgery twice, Lucy set out to raise funds for Scoliosis Support & Research, initially targeting £500. By race day, she had raised nearly five times her goal and enjoyed an unforgettable expe…
  continue reading
 
Make the most of race day with essential running tips and etiquette. Learn how to start in the right area, use water stations wisely, keep moving through the finish, and thank the volunteers who make it all possible. Perfect for runners looking to enjoy a safe, organised, and fun race experience. For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunnin…
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The taper is key to maximizing your race day performance. Learn how to reduce training, boost energy reserves, and nail your marathon or half marathon taper. Avoid common mistakes and set yourself up for a strong, successful race. For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have 3 other channels, this one on training …
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Andrew Ogierman reached an incredible milestone by running his 100th half marathon at the London Landmarks Half Marathon—and his running journey doesn’t stop there. From 14 full marathons to a Captain Tom-style virtual marathon during COVID, Andrew has experienced some truly unforgettable races and traveled to amazing destinations along the way. In…
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Spectators are key to a great running event or marathon. Learn how their motivation and encouragement can boost your race day performance, and get practical tips to support and appreciate them—so everyone enjoys the day. For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have 3 channels, this one on training and fundraising,…
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Join us on episode 1 as International athletics commentator Tim Hutchings travels to some of his favourite race destinations. Commentating on marathons and race meetings means lots of travel and this episode covers the first two months of 2025 when Tim spent much of his time in the Middle East and the sub continent. What are the differences between…
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Tim Hutchings has one of the most recognised voices in the running world. Whether it be at a Diamond League event in a leading stadium around the world, or at a top marathon, Tim is likely to be leading the commentary team. Following his highly successful running career, culminating in an Olympic Games 5000m final, Tim moved into the world of comme…
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Natalie Edwards went from a 3-minute jog to completing the London Marathon 2024 thanks to the support of Coulsdon Runners, a community-led running club. She shares how social running groups, strength and conditioning classes, and a supportive community can help runners of all levels improve, stay motivated, and enjoy every step of their journey. To…
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Running Expo Tips: Get the Most from Your Race Weekend. From race pack pickup to running gear and sponsor booths, a running expo is an essential part of race day. In this episode, we share top tips for navigating marathons and race expos, helping you prepare, explore, and enjoy your pre-race experience to the fullest. For more podcasts head to http…
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Ben Brindley is not your average runner—he’s fast, fearless, and dedicated to raising awareness for mental health in the construction industry. Battling his own mental health challenges, Ben takes on extreme running feats, often pushing a wheelbarrow to raise funds for The Lighthouse, the Construction Charity, which supports construction workers wh…
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Running Training Plans: Reach Your Goals the Right Way. Whether you’re training for your first 5K, getting fit, or aiming for a sub-4-hour marathon, a structured running training plan is key. In this episode, we explain why every runner needs a proper training schedule, how it boosts performance, prevents injuries, and keeps you motivated to reach …
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Jeremy, a Cornishman now living in North London, has faced significant running setbacks, including surgeries on both knees and two heart procedures. Most runners might have given up, but Jeremy’s determination keeps him running almost every day. In this episode, he shares his inspiring journey of overcoming injuries and medical challenges, offering…
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Race Day Tips: Avoid Mistakes & Finish Strong. Race day can make or break your performance. Tim Rogers shares lessons from his own races and provides essential race day tips to help you avoid common running mistakes, prepare effectively, and finish your marathon or race strong. For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts.…
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Race Day Planning Tips: Run Your Best Race. After weeks of training, don’t leave your race day performance to chance. Tim Rogers shares must-know race planning tips, from pacing and nutrition to logistics and mindset, to help you succeed in your marathon, half marathon, or running event. For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com…
  continue reading
 
Aoibheann from Derry proves that scoliosis doesn’t stop determination. During her 30-Day Running Challenge, she ran an impressive 100km in a month while balancing her commitments, including playing for her local football team. Along the way, she raised an incredible £1,000 for Scoliosis Support & Research, inspiring others to combine fitness and fu…
  continue reading
 
With 73 marathons behind him Tim Rogers has done plenty of long runs. Whether it be in Antarctica, London or Cape Town the long run is a crucial part of distance running training. Here Tim talks us through the key elements of the long run and the importance of regarding each of them as a mini event, in preparation for the biggest long run of all, o…
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Ali Jomehri from North London began running in his 60s and quickly completed four marathons, including three of the World Marathon Majors. A chronic asthmatic, Ali credits running with transforming his health—he no longer depends on inhalers. As he approaches his 80th birthday, he continues to run regularly, with his weekly Parkrun a consistent par…
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