Floating Bridges and Granite Giants | Mias de Klerk on The Rock Ultra’s Hidden Beauty
Send us a text"The views in Paarl Mountain with the big granite domes is just something out of this world. If you haven't experienced it in person before, you wouldn't know what I'm talking about." – Mias de KlerkMias de Klerk calls Paarl Mountain his 'backyard,' but for most runners, its massive granite domes remain a mystery. In this episode, Dean sits down with The Rock Ultra founder to uncover how a local obsession evolved into a race that unlocks this hidden playground, bridging the gap between the road and the trail. 🏔 What You’ll Learn: ✅ The Origin Story: How a "crazy idea" for a 100km social run evolved into a beautiful race. ✅ Unique Features: A look at the course’s standout features, including the enormous granite outcrops of Paarl Mountain and the 100m floating bridge on the Nantes Dam. ✅ The Vision: Why Mias believes this accessible, "runnable" course has the potential to become the "Comrades of Trail Running". ✅ Community Roots: How the event partners with the Anna Foundation to support and inspire rural youth and create a platform to unlock Paarl's athletic talentWhether you are a novice attempting your first trail marathon or a veteran chasing a fast time, this episode opens the door to the Paarl Winelands' best-kept secret.Running The Rock Ultra? Tag us @trailchaserspod or send us a DM, especially if you survive the water crossing!🎙 Behind the Trails is proudly brought to you by Trail Chasers. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to your podcasts and chase the stories behind the trails.
--------
26:41
--------
26:41
RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town: The Place We Run. The Final Exam with Admire Muzopambwa
Send us a text "UTCT is one of those races where you just find people everywhere. You can pass through a town... people having lunch, they'll pause, cheer for you... which is an incredible thing." Admire MuzopambwaIn this special bonus episode of The RMB UTCT (The Place We Run) Series, Host Dean Horwitz is joined by local favorite Admire "Adie" Muzopambwa. Fresh off a massive season, Adie breaks down his analytical approach to his first RMB UTCT 100 Miler and the mental strategy that keeps him moving when things get tough. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll hear: ✅ The "Final Exam" mindset: Why this race is the pinnacle that sums up the entire year of training. ✅ His golden rule for ultra-running: "When you panic, you do everything wrong." ✅ How to conquer Table Mountain’s unpredictable weather and technical terrain, from loose rocks to steep stairs. ✅ The power of the Cape Town crowd and why the support on the trails is "priceless." ✅ Why success isn't just a finish time—it's crossing the line and thanking the volunteers. Whether you are facing your first 100-miler or your own personal "final exam," this episode is a masterclass in staying calm, trusting your preparation, and finding the joy in the toughest moments.This Special Edition of the Trail Chasers Podcast is proudly sponsored by RMB.Enjoying the season? Subscribe, leave a review, and tag @trailchaserspod to share your biggest takeaway from Adie's advice.
--------
13:02
--------
13:02
RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town: The Place We Run. Racing Home with Bianca Tarboton
Send us a text"Running at home is always very special... especially this race, I pretty much run out the door to the start. Which is a wild concept." Bianca Tarboton In this special bonus episode of The RMB UTCT (The Place We Run) Series, Host Dean Horwitz is joined by local legend Bianca Tarboton. Fresh off the cover of Runner's World, Bianca opens up about the reality of navigating a season of extreme highs and injury lows, and what it truly means to have a "home ground advantage" on Table Mountain. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll hear: ✅ Why Bianca traded a future as a doctor for the trails to live "a dream I never knew I wanted." ✅ The mental shift from "Expectation" to "Curiosity" to manage the pressure of a home race. ✅ Her transition to ultras and why the 55km route profile perfectly matches her racing style. ✅ Her pride in the sport's explosive growth and the new opportunities opening up for development athletes. ✅ Why success isn't just a podium, but the ability to "problem solve" through the highs and lowsWhether you are stepping up to a new distance or navigating life's highs and lows, this episode is a powerful reminder to choose curiosity over pressure and embrace the magic of racing at home.This Special Edition of the Trail Chasers Podcast is proudly sponsored by RMB.Enjoying the season? Subscribe, leave a review, and tag @trailchaserspod to share your biggest takeaway from Bianca's journey.
--------
19:54
--------
19:54
RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town: The People We Run With. Kane Reilly: Big Event Energy, Small Event Soul
Send us a text"It's a big event, but it has small event culture and values. I don't know if I've experienced that anywhere else in the world." Kane Reilly In this special bonus episode of The RMB UTCT (The People We Run With) Series, Host Dean Horwitz is joined by local legend Kane Reilly. As both an elite athlete and a key figure behind the scenes, Kane offers a unique perspective on the race's evolution from a "gazebo under a tree" to a global stage, and why he is finally lining up for the "loaded" PT55km on home soil. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll hear: ✅ Kane's journey from running up to the Blockhouse during high school lunch breaks to lining up against the world's best in his "backyard." ✅How he navigates a decade of working "behind the scenes" with the ambition to finally give the race a "proper crack" as an athlete this year. ✅ His take on the "Big Event, Small Culture" phenomenon—mixing world-class infrastructure with a vibe where friends share a beer at the finish line.✅ The deep satisfaction he gets from watching international teammates experience the unique "interplay" of mountain, city, and ocean for the first time. Whether you are lining up for the "loaded" PT55km or cheering from the sidelines, this episode is a celebration of the unique 'small event soul' that makes Cape Town a world-class stage.This Special Edition of the Trail Chasers Podcast is proudly sponsored by RMB.Enjoying the season? Subscribe, leave a review, and tag @trailchaserspod to share your biggest takeaway from Kane's story."
--------
19:37
--------
19:37
RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town: The Race We Run
Send us a text"Cape Town itself is an easy sell... and I think Table Mountain is the jewel in that crown and long may it continue to be that" "We certainly couldn't put on UTCT without the community." — Stu McConnachieRace Director and Founder Stu McConnachie, RMB Sponsorship Lead Mike Edwards, and Finish Line MC Max Cluer explore how their shared vision turns chaos into choreography and makes RMB UTCT a living reflection of the city, the mountain, and the community that connects them all. In this final episode of the RMB UTCT Seies host Dean Horwitz guides the conversation through the race itself, the heartbeat of everything: the place, the people, and the race. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll hear: ✅ Mike Edwards on the commercial transformation of the event, detailing how RMB's partnership brings purpose to every stride and their commitment to continually growing and improving the race standard every year.✅ Stu McConaughy on the race's legacy, from the "wildly stressful" early years of turning an idea into a world-class standard event and the constant need to evolve the runner experience year on year.✅ Max Cluer on the raw emotion of the finish line, discussing how the athlete's personal journey builds resilience and how the community and volunteers are the "secret formula" that keeps the energy going ; and the unique operational challenge of managing the race's "up and down" through the weekend This Special Edition of the Trail Chasers Podcast is proudly sponsored by RMB. Whether you're chasing the cutoff or the podium, this conversation will remind you why the RMB UTCT experience is one you will never forget. Enjoyed the season? Subscribe, leave a review, and tag @trailchaserspod to share your biggest takeaway from this conversation on the race that connects them all.
Hosted by Dean Horwitz a trail running enthusiast, who started his journey in 2022, Dean has experienced the transformative power of chasing trails firsthand. Fuelled by a passion for trail running and a knack for connecting with fellow trail chasers, Dean created this podcast to merge both interests.This podcast is all about embracing the adventure, community, and self-discovery that comes with trail running. Join Dean on a journey of exploration and discovery, where you’ll learn about the world of trail running together. No matter if you’re a seasoned trail pro or just lacing up your shoes for the first time, this podcast is for you.Whether it’s the exhilarating view from a mountain peak or the camaraderie and making new friends with fellow trail runners, Dean is here to guide you through it all.
South Africa