🏔️ Trans Gran Canaria: One of the toughest and most breathtaking trail races in the world!

In this episode of RUNcensored, Gary House and Ben Mounsey take you inside their brutal yet unforgettable experience at Trans Gran Canaria—where they faced steep climbs, volcanic terrain, extreme heat, and sheer exhaustion.

🔥 Gary ran the Classic, covering 128km across the entire island in a test of endurance, strategy, and mental toughness.

🔥 Ben took on the Half, pushing through technical trails, relentless ascents, and scorching temperatures.

To top it all off, we’ve got voice notes from some of the biggest names in trail running, including:

🎤 Andy Fior Berry, Mark Derbyshire, Gavin Dale, sharing their insights and reflections on the race.

🎧 What’s Inside This Episode:

✅ The brutal reality of running Trans Gran Canaria 🌞🏔️

✅ How to survive an ultra with extreme elevation and heat

✅ Pacing, fueling, and race-day strategies that worked (and what didn’t!)

✅ The mental battle of long-distance trail running 🧠

✅ The best and worst moments from the race weekend

✅ Post-race madness: beer, casinos, and celebrations gone wrong! 🍻🎰

📚 Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction & Pre-Race Build-Up

Gary and Ben discuss their excitement, travel to Gran Canaria, and pre-race nerves before the Trans Gran Canaria event.

10:05 - The Brutality of Trans Gran Canaria Ultra

Gary details his 128km race across the entire island, tackling extreme climbs, heat, and sleep deprivation.

18:30 - Ben’s Marathon Experience: The Volcanic Challenge

Ben shares his 45km race experience, navigating technical trails, steep ascents, and relentless heat.

27:10 - Travel Mishaps, Strange Food & Last-Minute Panic

A chaotic arrival in Gran Canaria—from car hire disasters to questionable airport pastries.

36:45 - The Best & Worst Moments of the Race

Gary and Ben reflect on their highest highs and lowest lows, including moments when they almost quit.

47:20 - The Mental & Physical Battle of Ultra Running

Gary discusses sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and pushing through exhaustion during his 28-hour race.

56:30 - Nutrition, Pacing & Fueling Strategies

What worked, what didn’t, and how they adjusted fueling strategies mid-race to avoid a complete blow-up.

1:05:15 - Special Guests: Elite Trail Runners Share Their Thoughts

Voice notes from Andy Fior Berry, Mark Derbyshire, Gavin Dale, Rich Gill, and Tom, sharing their race experiences.

1:16:45 - Post-Race Madness: Beers, Casinos & Recovery

How Gary and Ben celebrated (or barely survived) after the race, including a casino trip at 2:00 AM.

1:27:30 - Would We Do It Again? Final Thoughts on Trans Gran Canaria

Gary and Ben reflect on the race, lessons learned, and whether they’d return for another shot.

Why You Should Listen:

If you love trail running, ultra marathons, or just hearing about the mental and physical battle of endurance racing, this episode has insights, entertainment, and raw honesty.

👉 Follow & Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday!

#TrailRunning #UltraRunning #TransGranCanaria #MarathonTraining #EnduranceRacing #TrailMarathon #TrailUltra #RunningPodcast #MountainRunning #UltraMarathon #TrailRace #RUNcensored

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🏔️ What does it take to be the KING of Yorkshire Fell Running? This week on RUNcensored, Gary House and Ben Mounseyare joined by Ted Mason, a fell running legend, elite descender, farmer, cyclist, and race organiser.

Ted shares his unfiltered insights into the world of fell running, from technical descents and crazy race-day moments to recovering from a broken neck and organising one of the biggest races in the fell running calendar. If you love fast descents, mountain racing, and untamed competition, this episode is packed with stories, training insights, and plenty of laughs!

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to master downhill running – Ted’s expert advice for fearless descending

✅ Farming & Fell Running – How rural life shapes the sport

✅ Cycling to running – Ted’s transition from two wheels to two feet

✅ Surviving & recovering from a broken neck – The mental and physical comeback

✅ Race organising at the highest level – Behind-the-scenes of fell running’s biggest event

✅ Funny race stories & legendary rivalries

📚 Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction & Meet Ted Mason

Ted shares his background in fell running, cycling, and farming.

3:30 - The Art of Downhill Running

How to master technical descents and build confidence at high speed.

9:45 - Life as a Farmer & Fell Runner

Ted discusses the balance between farm work and elite running.

14:20 - From Cycling to Fell Running

How cycling shaped his endurance and racing strategy.

18:50 - “I Broke My Neck!” – Ted’s Injury Story

A shocking injury, recovery, and return to the top of fell running.

26:10 - Organising the Biggest Fell Race in the Calendar

The challenges of planning and executing a major race.

35:30 - Wildest Fell Running Moments

Ted’s most memorable races, unexpected turns, and funny stories.

42:00 - Final Thoughts & Advice for Runners

Ted’s top tips for fell running, training, and racing.

Why You Should Listen:

If you love technical descents, endurance racing, or a good laugh about the realities of mountain running, this episode is a must-listen. Ted’s knowledge, experience, and storytelling make for an episode packed with insights and entertainment.

👉 Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday!

#FellRunning #TrailRunning #UltraRunning #DownhillRunning #YorkshireRunning #CyclingToRunning #FarmLife #MarathonTraining #RUNcensored #GaryHouse #BenMounsey #TedMason

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Is fell running the purest form of racing? In this episode of RUNcensored, Gary House and Ben Mounsey are joined by Kirsty Hall, fell runner extraordinaire, with a racing career spanning almost 40 years. A 5-time winner of the BOFRA championship (British Open Fell Running Association), Kirsty has also represented Yorkshire and previously finished 2nd in the world masters mountain running championship. Today Kirsty joins us to talk about all things fell running, including a comparison between the then and now, what makes the sport so special and why it’s so exciting and unique. We also explore what makes fell running different from trail and ultra running, how BOFRA supports the sport, and why every runner should try it at least once!

Gary has also asked us to mention that Kirsty has the patience of a saint!

From brutal climbs and wild race prizes to training mistakes and aging in endurance sports, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and real talk.

🎧 What’s Inside:

✅ What is fell running? How it differs from trail & ultra running

✅ BOFRA and its role in the fell running community

✅ The wildest race prizes ever 🍷🍪

✅ How running changes as you age and how to adapt

✅ Strength training for endurance runners—is it necessary?

✅ Bouncing back from DNFs and race-day disasters

📚 Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction & Meet Kirsty Hall

Gary, Ben, and Kirsty discuss her background in fell running, ultra-running, and coaching.

3:15 - What is Fell Running?

Why it’s different from trail running and why you should try it.

8:10 - BOFRA & Its Role in Fell Running

How the British Open Fell Runners Association (BOFRA) supports the sport.

12:45 - The Strangest Fell Running Prizes

From wine and biscuits to odd household items—Kirsty shares some of the weirdest prizes she’s won.

18:30 - The Truth About Ultra Training

Why so many runners train the wrong way for ultras.

24:20 - Strength Training for Runners

Is it really necessary for endurance athletes?

30:00 - The Mental Side of Running

How to handle DNFs, setbacks, and the pressure of long races.

36:40 - How Running Changes as You Age

Training tips for runners in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

42:00 - Kirsty’s Favourite Races & Running Moments

Her top races, biggest challenges, and best experiences.

48:30 - Final Thoughts & Advice for Runners

Kirsty’s best tips for new and experienced runners, plus closing thoughts from Gary and Ben.

Why You Should Listen:

If you’ve ever wondered what makes fell running so different or if you’re looking for real-world ultra-running training tips, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and practical advice.

#RunningPodcast #FellRunning #UltraRunning #BOFRA #TrailRunning #MarathonTraining #RUNcensored #GaryHouse #BenMounsey #KirstyHall

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