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“You don’t have to know the whole route. You just need to take the first step.”

What if chasing distance wasn’t just about going further—but about finding freedom, learning what you’re made of, and getting wonderfully, beautifully lost along the way?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Zane Schmahl—trail race director, adventure racer, and co-founder of the legendary MUT (Mountain Ultra-Trail) in George. From running his first Otter to directing Africa’s only UTMB World Series race, Zane shares what it takes to move from your first short race into longer, more remote, and more meaningful challenges. This one’s all about discovery—of new trails, bigger goals, and yourself.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why showing up undercooked might cost you—but sometimes teaches you more 💥
✅ How to find new trails and build your sense of direction as a beginner 🧭
✅ What to pack (and what to always carry, just in case) 🎒
✅ How MUT went from a 60km dream to a global-stage race with runners from 45+ countries 🌍
✅ The real reason preparation matters—and what gear mistakes to avoid in your first long run ⚠️
✅ How trail running can evolve from sport to lifestyle to full-blown life mission 🚀

🥾 Got a story of your first long run—whether you flew, flopped, or found something unexpected?
DM us or tag @trailchaserspod. We love hearing how your trail got longer.

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦
Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order.

📩 If this episode hit home, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone eyeing their first ultra—because it’s time to go the distance.

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“You don’t need to win it. You just need to learn from it.”

What if your first trail race wasn’t just a run—but a rite of passage? A place to learn, get it wrong, laugh at yourself, and fall in love with the trails?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Owen Middleton—founder of the iconic Trail Series® and the man who introduced thousands to their first-ever trail race. With nearly two decades of experience as a race director and route pioneer, Owen shares why your first race matters more than your pace—and how paying your “school fees” early shapes everything that follows.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why your first trail race is less about racing and more about discovery 🧭
✅ How Owen’s Trail Series became a gateway for everyday runners to fall in love with the sport 🏃‍♀️
✅ What common first-time mistakes to embrace (yes, including packing too much!) 🎒
✅ Why every route tells a story—and how learning to read the landscape can shift your mindset 🗺️
✅ How to prep for your first event without overthinking, overtraining, or overspending 💡
✅ Why showing up—even slightly underprepared—is sometimes the best way to grow 💥

🥾 Ready to share your first race story?
Drop the name of your first trail race below or DM us @trailchaserspod—whether you got hooked, humbled, or hilariously lost, we want to hear how it all began!

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦
Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order!

📩 Loved this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and tag someone who's prepping for their first trail race—because their story starts here.

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"It's a coming together of friends, people who you feel like family." ​

Ever wondered how volunteering, vibes, and views come together to turn Ultra Trail Cape Town and Ultra Trail Drakensberg into unmissable community celebrations?

In this bonus episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Sue Ullyett—the event manager behind both UTCT and UTD. Sue shares how a chance coffee chat grew into a decade-strong core team, and how their passion for inclusivity transforms volunteers, spectators, and runners into one big trail family.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why volunteers at UTCT and UTD “feel like family” and what keeps them coming back ​ 🤗
✅ How a chance coffee chat turned into a decade-strong core team building iconic trail events. ☕️
✅ The secret behind crafting a race village that invites runners, crew, and locals to celebrate together under one finish-line canopy ​ 🎪
✅ What role aid station captains and local communities play behind the scenes—from route marking to create iconic mini-communities with local flavour at each aid station 🌙
✅ Why even injured athletes volunteer—giving up their race entry to support the next generation of trail runners ​ ❤️
✅ Why volunteering at UTCT or UTD is the best way to join the trail community 🤝

🥾 Ready to join the community? Share your own volunteer stories, favorite race-village memories, or dream aid-station treats below or DM us @trailchaserspod—we’d love to hear how community shows up for you!

🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦 Visit gilnoki.com and use the code TRAILCHASERS at checkout for 20% off your first order!

📩 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tag a volunteer hero in your review—let’s keep the vibes alive, one trail at a time!