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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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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

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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

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In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Wayne Hunter to explore his life, career, and remarkable transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a background in engineering, Wayne came to Japan at the age of 23 and has since spent most of his 37 years in the country working in private membership club management. He is married with two daughters and has had the unique experience of living in a four-generation household with his in-laws in Chiba.

Wayne’s running journey began as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At his heaviest, Wayne weighed 185kg, and after witnessing deaths within his work circle, he made the decision to change his life. Over an 18-month period starting in the summer of 2020, Wayne lost an extraordinary 54% of his body weight — around 100 kilograms.

He initially took up rowing, training for hours a day in his home which he credits as the foundation of his weight loss. He later transitioned into running, taking part in road races but finding his true passion on the trails. In this episode, Wayne shares his journey into running, his training, and his experience tackling the Nagawa Trail.

Whether you're looking for motivation, perspective, or simply a powerful human story, this episode delivers on all fronts.

Links:

Centennial — by James A. Michener

Nagawa Trail

COVID-19

Breaking Bad

Tokyo American Club Japan

Shōgun- by James Clavell

The Godfather

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In this episode, Kiyoshi a Tokyo-based running community organizer and avid runner, discusses his journey with running, the famous Hakone Ekiden relay race, and his involvement in the Doyou (土曜） Club, an open learning and running community. Kiyoshi shares insights into the cultural significance of the Ekiden race in Japan, its impact on university students, and how it fosters community spirit. He also touches on his own experiences, struggles, and the importance of running in his life. This episode is a deep dive into how running and learning intertwine to build connections and personal growth.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Casual Conversation
01:19 Meet Kiyoshi: The Learning Enthusiast
02:52 Kiyoshi's Running Journey
03:24 The Birth of a Video Producer
04:33 Language Exchange and Friendship
06:11 Exploring the Japanese Ekiden
07:59 Hakone Ekiden: The Ultimate Relay Race
14:14 The Significance of Hakone Ekiden
16:06 Comparing Global Running Events
18:01 Cheering and Strategy in Hakone Ekiden
23:56 Advertising and Marketing in Ekiden
24:27 Nike Vaporfly and Shoe Technology
26:31 Comparing Marathon Runners
29:35 University Teams and Qualifications
32:43 Ekiden in Japanese Schools
38:14 Book Recommendations
39:53 Movie and TV Series Recommendations
44:23 Closing Remarks and Appreciation

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In this episode, I chat with Terence Vrugtman — ultrarunner, photographer, and Race Director of the Karkloof Trail Series.
We dig into what makes Karkloof such a standout event in South Africa’s trail running calendar, and Terence gives us a first look at the 2026 course: the terrain, the challenges, and how the route continues to evolve.

We also talk about the realities of race directing, what it takes to build a welcoming and sustainable trail community.

Whether you're planning to run Karkloof, curious about race organisation, or just love trail stories, you’ll enjoy this one.

Guest Links

 Karkloof Trail Run: https://www.karklooftrailrun.co.za
Terence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terencevrugtman

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In this episode, I speak with South African ultra-runner Kennedy Sekhuthe, who recently won the 2025 Salt Pans Ultra 100kmin Botswana with an impressive time of 12:26:50. We talk about his journey in ultra running, the dedication and discipline behind his rise, and the mindset that carried him through one of Africa’s toughest endurance races.
 Key Topics Covered

• Kennedy’s 2025 Salt Pans Ultra victory
• How he trained and prepared for a 100km race
• His long journey in the sport and what has shaped him as an athlete
• What this win means for his future in ultra running

Kennedy’s story is a reminder that consistency over years, not shortcuts, builds endurance and success. His journey shows that with discipline, grit, and patience, long-term goals become reachable.

Notable Results:

• 1st place at Salt Pans Ultra 100km 
• 1st place at Ultra Trail Drakensberg 100 Miler 25:08:26

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In today’s episode, I read a personal story that celebrates one full year of running — starting at age 44, with no athletic background, four kids, a full-time job, and zero intention of ever becoming “a runner”.

What began as a curious experiment with a Garmin watch slowly turned into a life-changing habit. In this reflective episode, I share the highs, lows, lessons, and honest realities of beginning running later in life, in cold Canadian winters, and with absolutely no clue what “zone 2” even meant.

If you’ve ever thought “running isn’t for me”, this one is for you.

• How he went from no running experience to completing consistent run/walk sessions
• Why running initially made no sense to him
• How a fitness tracker motivated him to start
• Training through a Canadian winter, illness and family demands
• His first goal: preparing for a 5K at work
• The moments that changed how he viewed running

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Warren King’s journey from attorney to private banker to trail running entrepreneur is a story of reinvention and passion. After a 15-year career at Investec Bank in Johannesburg, Warren stepped away from finance to create some of South Africa’s most recognisable trail running events. His transition not only drew on his business expertise but also deepened his understanding of the rapidly expanding adventure tourism sector.

A seasoned traveller and runner, Warren has raced across more than 35 countries: from the Himalayas and Southeast Asian jungles to the Andes. These global adventures have given him a rare insight into emerging trail destinations like Georgia, Mongolia, and Slovenia, and the trends shaping the future of adventure travel.

Now based in Cape Town, Warren is combining his love of running, exploration, and entrepreneurship through his latest venture, Cape Trail Tours—a business offering curated trail running experiences and on-the-ground support for international runners keen to explore South Africa’s remarkable trails.

 Links:

https://capetrailtours.co.za/

https://instagram.com/capetrailtours

https://facebook.com/capetrailtours

What I talk about when I talk about running by Haruki Murakami

The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

Frasier

Friends

The Himalayas - Nepal

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We explore South Africa’s running surge with Stuart Mann—from sold-out ballots and the Cape Town Marathon cancellation to how Comrades has shifted from controversy toward accountability. With 178 unique marathons completed, Stuart shares what resilient races get right and how the sport has evolved since COVID.

We discuss participation trends, the impact of social media, and how ballot systems affect major events like Two Oceans and Comrades. Stuart reflects on lessons from the Otter Trail, and the realities of technical terrain. We also unpack the Comrades 2024–2025 improvements, and what the Cape Town Marathon’s cancellation reveals about race governance and planning in South Africa.

To support the show, follow @TheRunningVoyager on Instagram, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It doesn’t take much, but it means a lot.

Here’s to another week full of great adventures.
Cheers.

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I recently had the opportunity to be on media duty at the Lake Biwa 100 and this is my impression and race report.

Text below from race website:

" The Lake Biwa 100 course takes you on a journey through various ecosystems and historical sites in the Kansai region of Japan, skirting Lake Biwa the biggest lake in Japan for most of the course. With only 330 participants and a generous 52-hour cut off, the race keeps its authenticity, with friendly smiles at the hospitable aid stations. But don’t let that fool you: despite the highest peaks being only around 1200m (4000ft), the technical 169km course boasts over 10,500m (34,400ft) of elevation gain. From 2024, it is Japan’s only Hard Rock 100 Qualifier, and for good reasons."

Links

Lake Biwa100 Miler

Yunoyama Onsen

Lake Biwa

Kansai Region Japan

Hira Lake Guest House

Kaori Niwa Lake Biwa 100 RD Instagram

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