BBC piece about the 'ultramarathon business'

The Business Daily radio programme on the BBC World Service recently carried a piece titled 'The ultramarathon business - How extreme running events became a big money-spinner.'.

In the last decade or so, doing long distance events that are well beyond the usual marathon distance of 26.2 miles / 42.2 kms have become hugely popular as runners seek new challenges.

You can find the 17-minute programme here... https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/w3ct5zjx

I think anyone with an interest in ultra running will find it of interest.

BBC Podcast looking back at the start of the barefoot running revolution

Back in 2009, the book Born to Run was published and it sparked a whole craze about barefoot and minimalist running. The origins of that book can be traced back to 2006 when an ultra distance race took place in Copper Canyon in a remote part of Mexico. The race between America's best ultramarathon runner Scott Jurek and a tribe of Tarahumara indians inspired a revolution in the sport.

Recently the radio programme Sporting Witness on the BBC World Service looked back at that event. The 9 minute podcast can be heard HERE

BBC Radio podcast about running...

During the last week, Mike Williams of the BBC World Service had a look at humans and how they evolved to be the most efficient runners on the planet.

The 18 minute podcast also looks at some of the various aspects of running today.

Click HERE to listen.

BBC programme looks at barefoot running...

In a recent programme on the BBC World Service programme Health Check, presenter Claudia Hammond looked at the basics behind barefoot running.

A short video clip can be seen on the BBC website HERE

BBC Podcast...The lifecycle of an athlete...Kenya

As part of the Human Race Series, Claudia Hammond of the BBC World Service travels to Kenya to look at the education system and culture behind some of the most successful athletes in the world. She interviews Olympic legend Kip Keino, Br. Colm O'Connell in Iten as well as a Danish researcher who believes that a 1:55 Marathon is possible!

The link to the 34 minute podcast is HERE. (There is a 5 minute segment on swimming from 17:15 to 22:30 if you want to avoid it)