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Today’s guest is Junko Kazukawa, an ultra and trail runner based in Denver, Colorado, originally from Japan. She has over 30 years of experience in the health, fitness, and training fields, and currently works as a UESCA-certified running coach, personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and Run Club coordinator at Colorado Athletic Club Tabor.

Junko is passionate about helping people achieve their athletic goals through individualized training and strength programs, with a focus on improving weaknesses and preventing injury. She enjoys working with runners of all levels, especially beginners and older athletes.

She is also a two-time breast cancer survivor, an experience that continues to shape her approach to training and life.

As an athlete, Junko has completed 19 100-mile ultramarathons, including races such as Leadville 100, UTMB, UTMF, and Ultra Fiord in Patagonia. In 2015, she completed both the Grand Slam of ultrarunning and the Leadwoman series in the same season.

She is an Altra Red Team athlete, a Nuun ambassador, and part of the Berkeley Park Running Company team. Outside of running, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and has summited multiple Colorado 14ers, as well as Mount Rainier, Kilimanjaro, and Mont Blanc.

Links

Leadvile 100

Lead challenge

Grandslam

Ultra Trail Mont Blanc

Ultra Trail Mount Fuji

Hardrock 100

14ers

high lonesome 100

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes and the Gretaest Race the World has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

Training for the Uphill Athlete: a Manual for Mountain runners and Ski Mountaineers by Steve House, Scott Johnston and Killian Jornett

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If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch.

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With the Addo Elephant Trail Run happening this weekend, I’m republishing my conversation with race directors Sheena and Sian to help new runners feel prepared and confident. Addo is no ordinary race—it takes you through rugged trails, remote landscapes, and breathtaking scenery in the heart of Addo Elephant National Park.

In this episode, we talk about the race itself, what first-time runners should know, and what makes Addo such a unique challenge. If you're feeling a bit nervous ahead of race day, this episode is for you!

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The history of the Addo Elephant Trail Run and how Sheena & Shaun became race directors
• What makes this event so unique compared to other ultras
• A breakdown of the course and what runners can expect on race day
• Key challenges, terrain, and weather conditions to be prepared for
• Tips for first-time participants to stay strong physically and mentally

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re running Addo for the first time, this episode will give you valuable insights to help you feel more prepared. Even experienced runners will enjoy hearing about the behind-the-scenes of organizing such a remote and challenging race.

Resources & Links:

• Addo Elephant Trail Run Official Website
• Follow the Race on Social Media

Support the show

Thanks so much for tuning in!
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch.

Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout.

Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!

Send us Fan Mail

The guest in this episode is Stuart Gemmill. Stuart is a run coach based in Harare, Zimbabwe. He’s an ultra-runner himself, having completed 28 Comrades marathons, and he’s gearing up for his 29th this year. Last October, he won the Runyanga 100-mile ultra.

In this episode, we dive into Stuart’s incredible running journey, spanning decades. We talk about the running culture in Zimbabwe, the exponential growth of the sport, and the measures race organizers can take to improve efficiency, professionalism, and runner safety. We also explore trail running in Zimbabwe, and Stuart shares his insights as a coach—giving advice for those just starting out in running.

Links

• Comrades Marathon – https://www.comrades.com
• Richmond Marathon (Durban) – https://richmondmarathon.co.za
• Skyrun (Zimbabwe) – https://skyrunzim.com
• The Lion King – https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/the-lion-king-1994/
• Atomic Habits by James Clear – https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
• Training Essentials for Ultrarunning by Jason Koop – https://trainright.com/book/
• The Happy Runner by David Roche & Megan Roche – https://www.happy-runner.com
• Stuart's Instagram
• Trailblazerszim Instagram

Support the show

Thanks so much for tuning in!
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch.

Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout.

Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!