2025 comes to a close and, with Katie out on a bottomless brunch, Dave, Sean and Cal are left to hold the fort. The team talk about what we have done in 2025. With 22 episodes featuring 34 amazing guests, including our Marathon Special where we reflected on listeners’ spring marathons, 2025 has been an amazing year. With tributes, highlights, personal reviews of the year, Room 101 trends and what we are planning next year.

Don’t forget to follow, share, and leave us a review on Apple / Spotify. It’s by Runners for Runners and that is a wrap for 2025!

From all of us at the Local Runners Podcast – have a fantastic Christmas and an amazing start to 2026!

Katie, Sean, Dave and Cal speak with a Bramhall Runner. Sara has been smashing PBs over the last couple of years setting PB’s of, 5K 18:26, 10K 37:42, Half Marathon 81:09 and a Marathon of 2:57:14. She tells us about how she got into running and how when she started more seriously after her second child was born. Sara talks about her mindset with running and how it changed over time. Parkrun is a big part of Sara's routine and Bramhall is her local parkrun. She has done approx 100 parkruns there but still can get lost. Sara was self coached for years and achieved some fantasic goals. She tells us about the lessons she learnt during this time. Sara then made the choice to get a coach for this year, and she has been some great results. This has included S&C as well as learning more about fuelling. Valencia is a major goal for Sara and she is throwing everything into it and she mentions that when you want a goal, you have to be prepared to dedicate yourself to it.

The team talk about setting your goals for next year along with Tameside 5k, and Black Knight Charge. Get booked on. Race reviews for 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness, SECCL Match 2 & Conwy Half. Sean's training for Valencia is going well, Katie goes and runs 52miles and she was fine after it, Cal has signed up to Manchester Marathon after saying no the other week, and Dave is back to being slightly injured with a calf issue.

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Dave, Cal, Katie and Sean speak with a Twisted Running Club runner who has an amazing story. Bev has PBs of 23:43 for 5k, 49:23 for 10k, 1:45:25 for the half, and 3:45:54 for the marathon. She talks about her story of finding joy in running 2 years into her sobriety and staying focused a day at a time. She was able to shift her full focus into running during lockdown and was aiming for medals, but not times, will that change? Being self taught, Bev has learned many lessons and has found out the hard way what works, and what doesn't work for her. She is a big believer in the mindset of "A run is going to be be the world of good" and always thinks to that feeling when you're back after a run. Being bullied in school, Bev talks about how some of them bullies have come to her PT classes but knows she wouldn't say anything about the past, but they aren't running marathons are they? Bev talks about fuelling the body, supplements, female health and why she doesn't like 5k (but we might have her for the Tameside 5k). Fund raising for some amazing charities, Bev has raised £1000s for charities close to her heart.

The team talk about safety at this time of year and how habits change. Race reviews is a big one this week with (big breath) SELCC, Oldham Half, Frankfurt Marathon, British Masters XC Relays, XC Relays in Mansfield, Fairway 5 and New York Marathon. Dave talks about busy work life but still getting the runs in with a little calf twinge, Sean is all about the marathon build up but still wants 6 more weeks, Cal is working on getting some speed in the legs with nothing booked on the horizon,Katie has been racing SELCC, Oldham Half and Fairway 5, will she have a weekend off?

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Cal, Sean Katie and Dave speak with a Chorlton Runner who has been smashing his PBs this year. James has PBs of 17:23 for 5k, 35:41 for 10k, 78:24 for the half, and 3:01:12 for the marathon. James talks about how he wasnt sporty in school but when he became a dad, he started the fitness journey. Running wasnt his only sport, kick boxing was a big part until he realised that it was better running than being kicked in the face. He talks about how the Tour of Tameside was a big part of his running journey but also how it became an event that broke him a little. James' marathon journey has been emotional, going from 4:16 to 3:01 with sub 3 on the cards. He tells us about how he wants this sub 3 so bad! James has PB'd across the board in recent months and he has put it all down to being coached.

The team review a big handful of races from Northern XC relays, MACCL Match 1, Manchester Half, Chicago Marathon, Yorkshire Marathon and Maderia Masters. Sean is back to running big mileage, Katie is easing back in after Berlin Marathon, Cal has finished crying over his Manchester Half attempt, and Dave has fell over... AGAIN! Some of the team were not showing him any sympathy.

This episode is sponsored by James Moles running coaching. James has been coaching experienced runners and those getting into running for over 7 years.

From weekly and monthly session planning, advice on nutrition and race day prep as well as strength sessions specific to runners, James offers a range of services to help support you be the best runner you can be. For more info, visit James Moles running coaching on socials.

Sean, Cal, Katie & Dave speak with the founders of Manchester 24 Hours Run against Homlessness and runners of Manchester Road Runners. Molly has PBs of 20:03 for 5k, 42:08 for 10k, 93:57 for the half, and 3:28:12 for the marathon. Thomas has PBs of 17:23 for 5k, 35:43 for 10k, 82:26 for the half and 2:55:54 for the marathon.

They both talk about Run Wild MCR, Manchester Road Runners, Parkruns, Commonwealth Games and Paris Olympics and how involved they are. As well as being involved in Ancoats Run Club, and Matchroom boxing. They have both met some incredible athletes and famous people from Eddie Hearn to Sifan Hassan and the Hardest Geezer. Thomas talks about how he has a vision for Manchester Road Ruunners and how it can be sustainable without him. He tells us how they started Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness and how they want to branch out as much as possible to raise even more money. Molly tells us about her organisation of the Emma Horrell Canal 10k and how it was to have the Peel Parkrun record even if it was for just one week. Molly tells us about her Marathon experiences and how she feels she might not do another one (but we know that she will). Both ran the Paris Marathon at the Olympics which was the first ever mass participation marathon held at an Olympic games.

The team only updated a week ago, but we had Katie back to tell us all about the Berlin Marathon and how hot it was. Strongest marathon yet from Katie. Cal gives an update on Manchester half prep, Sean is back to running nearly 2 hours and Dave has a big smile on his face with XC starting this weekend, but he wont be at Woodbank park...

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Dave, Sean and Cal talk to a Royton Road Runner who has completed over 40 marathons with a PB of 3.04. He has completed the 200 mile Ultra Great Britain twice, Race Across Scotland twice. A repeat offender in the Spine Races having completed the full 268 mile winter race twice and the summer version once. Colin tells us how his dad inspired his running watching him do XC and other races, London Marathon being one. After a small break from running he returned to running at the age of 30 where he wanted to complete London Marathon. Running a PB of 3:04, he couldnt dip under that sub 3 hour mark but then the love of ultras appeared. Colin also is a founder of Greenfield Greyhounds, he tells us how this cam about along with the people who came to join the club. Colin tells us about his Ultra races and gives us some insight into his experiences along with a good story about the GM 200. With a quick fire round that was very entertaining, make sure you give it a listen.

The team do race reviews for relays, marathons and a silver medal for Jake Wightman in the 1500m. Dave talks about getting back to racing, having 6 months off racing but then does 4 races in 4 weeks. Cal has been poorly for a few weeks but will he be ready for Manchester Half. Sean talks about getting back to running after a small injury and with Valencia 11 weeks away, he is hopeful its all going to come together.

This episode is sponsored by James Moles running coaching. James has been coaching experienced runners and those getting into running for over 7 years.

From weekly and monthly session planning, advice on nutrition and race day prep as well as strength sessions specific to runners, James offers a range of services to help support you be the best runner you can be. For more info, visit James Moles running coaching on socials.

Local Runners Podcast and Endurance Mind Coaching collaborate at Voodoo in Manchester for a live recording which is a first for both (minus the Christmas Episode). Stuart Holliday from Endurance Mind Coaching gives some great advice for the live audience and listeners on how to use the power of the mind to help push you to your goals. Sean, Katie, Dave and Cal give their experiences on how they have used mental preparation in races and we have some great questions from the audience too. Must watch, must listen to excel your racing and adding that 5th pillar to your training.

Dave, Cal, Katie and Sean speak with 3 Sale Harriers where on the first on the podcast where we have a mum and her two daughters, Helen, Lucy and Sophie Armitage. Starting off, they all tell us how they got into running and you can guess that parents had a big influence. Sophie goes through her questions telling us about remembering competing at such a young age and how the coaches when she was a junior, she was able to bring key things she brought to her training now. Sophie also tells us about how much she loves XC and her best season last year. Sophie ran her 5k PB in the same race as Lucy and she tells us how much she enjoyed being in the race with her sister. Lucy takes on her questions and tells us about how her mum inspired her to run and remembers a race when she watched Helen win and said to herself "I want that". In 2022 Lucy had a big breakthrough and she explains how it all came together. Lucy was able to represent GB and she couldn't believe it when she had the phone call. She has made a big decision to focus solely on 800m and when you look how much she has improved over the last year, she has made a sensible choice. Helen talks about her varied running career from being a county champion at 17 to a v50 today. She talks about her uni journey and how she was able to enjoy going to different universities. Helen makes it clear that she has never pushed her daughters into running and its paid off as they are the ones now that drag her out for runs.

The team talk about the summer of training and race reviews include Sale Sizzler number 4, Mid Cheshire, Tameside 5k and Altrincham 10k. Dave tells us about his first race in 6 months, Cal is back on the biscuit bus but training well, Sean gives a rollercoaster of a training update, and Katie is ready for Berlin with some great training runs and a short marathon block.

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