The Running Voyager

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/terencevrugtmanSupport the showThanks 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 [email protected] 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!

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 CoveredKennedy’s 2025 Salt Pans Ultra victoryHow he trained and prepared for a 100km raceHis long journey in the sport and what has shaped him as an athleteWhat this win means for his future in ultra runningKennedy’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 25:08:26Support the showThanks 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 [email protected] 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!

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 sessionsWhy running initially made no sense to himHow a fitness tracker motivated him to startTraining through a Canadian winter, illness and family demandsHis first goal: preparing for a 5K at workThe moments that changed how he viewed runningSupport the showThanks 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 [email protected] 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!

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/capetrailtourshttps://facebook.com/capetrailtoursWhat I talk about when I talk about running by Haruki MurakamiThe Lord of the Rings by JRR TolkienFrasierFriendsThe Himalayas - NepalSupport the showThanks 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 [email protected] 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!

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.Support the showThanks 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 [email protected] 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!