Rob, Matt and the team all met through social media, and forged a friendship during the 1st UK Covid lockdown.
The biggest thing the guys all loved about the online running community was how so many people had so many amazing stories. Running does not only provide inspiration from the fastest or the strongest, but from the extraordinary ordinaries who we interact with every single day.
Meet The Team
Rob
Matt
Rob
Podcast host and resident loud-mouth, Rob can usually be found telling people what to do or harping on about the fact he is Vegan.
Rob is a self proclaimed ‘reluctant runner’ which begs the question ‘why does he host a running podcast’?!
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favourite race: Holymoorside 10k
Favourite Parkrun: Rother Valley
Favourite pre race fuel:
A massive bowl of pasta with tons of veggies
Favourite ever episode:
Interviewing Fiona Oakes (S2 Ep2) was very special to me as she is a real life hero of mine.
(In his own words) Why should you listen to the show:
“So many people get so much out of running and achieve such incredible things. Just because they are not ‘elite’ runners, doesn’t mean their amazing stories shouldn’t be told!. Plus you can just skip through the bits with me and Matt if that makes life easier!”
You can find out more about Rob by following him on social media:
Instagram: @littlerunnerboyrob
Twitter: @robhitchmough
Matt
Podcast host and resident Tiny Dancer, Matt has a number of hobbies including Strava Art, refereeing, telling people he goes to the gym and pretending to be injured.
Alongside his on-air duties Matt is a creative little soul and is responsible for all of the artwork and graphics you see on the website and social media.
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favourite race: London Marathon
Favourite parkrun: Rotherham
Favourite pre race fuel: Meat feast pizza (sorry Rob)
Favourite podcast episode: Jon Flynn (S1 Ep1) - not because of the guest (he was amazing though) but because it was start of our silly little journey
(In his own words) Why should you listen to the podcast:
"we each have a story to tell, whether that's a goal you've accomplished, a weight loss journey, recovery from major injury, or running a world record around the world barefoot. Most importantly we try to bring a smile to everyone listening"
You can find out more about Matt by following him on social media:
Instagram: @mattyowls
Twitter: @mathewtaylor6
Ben
As the one half of the parkrun loving powerhouse couple "Bemma", Ben can be found touring the country with Emma doing parkruns for their podcast segment, seeking out purple signs and giving out advice on how to take the perfect parkrun photo to unsuspecting people willing to take a photo.
Ben loves to help people in the running community and is a self proclaimed king of snacks.
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favourite race: Sheffield Half Marathon as I get to pace it each year
Favourite Parkrun: Lands End and Fountains Abbey. Too hard to separate. Both stunning!
Favourite pre race fuel: Always pizza!!!
Favourite ever episode: Andy Bradley (S1 Ep2). To hear what he and his family went through must have been so scary. It deffo brought tears to my eyes listening to it.
(In his own words) Why should you listen to the show:
“For inspiration, for honesty, for facts, for banter, for friendships and definitely to hear about parkrun! The whole podcast is full of honest and genuine people who all tell stories that every runner can relate to. It guarantees to make you feel good whilst bringing a smile to your face at the same time. The community has grown over the last few years and has created many connections all over the country.
Everyone is welcome! "
You can find out more about Ben by listening to Series 3 Episode 12 where he was our series finale guest. You should also follow him on social media:
Instagram: @sheffield_strider
Emma
As the other half of the parkrun loving powerhouse couple "Bemma", Emma can be found talking about parkrun, touring the country with Ben doing parkruns and pointing at purple signs.
Her favourite snack is a bar of chocolate, any variety. All types are welcome in her house.
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favourite race: Spire 10
Favourite Parkrun: Fountains Abbey
Favourite pre race fuel: Pizza power, always!
Favourite ever episode: It's so hard to pick just one! But I'm going to go for a recent one which is Jevi Majid (S7 Ep1). She is just an amazing and inspirational lady who is fighting to bring more diversity into running. Such a good listen!
(In her own words) Why should you listen to the show:
“The podcast is just like a big warm hug after a hard day. The inspirational guests, the silly chats and banter, the support that everyone gives each other in the roll call, the community challenges.....lots of fun, without shying away from some tough topics. Just an honest insight into the highs and lows of running and life in general. Oh and we talk about parkrun..... we love parkrun!"
You can find out more about Emma by following her on social media:
Instagram: @emmajj85
Jack
The host of our previous YouTube show After The Finish Line and owner of the world's softest red velvet blazer. If Jack isn't talking about running then he’s probably asleep.
Jack is now a running coach (check out JP Run Coaching) and everyone’s favourite little brother. He cannot, however, remember his own Instagram handle or do impressions.
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favourite race: The Grizzly
Favourite Parkrun: Worthing
Favourite pre race fuel: A big pizza with chicken, peppers and onions
Favourite ever episode: The Nick Butter Episode (S3 Ep1), Nick is amazing and running a marathon with him recently makes it more special
(In his own words) Why should you listen to the show:
“Simply because it's light hearted, easy to listen to and you're most likely going to laugh out loud (cringe that I've said LOL in full) anyway it's just a barrel of laughs, silliness and sometimes actual nerdy chat about running and running topics."
You can find out more about Jack by following him on social media:
Instagram: @jackpenfoldrunning / jp_run_coaching
Twitter: @jackers_penfold
Meet The Team
Matt
Podcast host and resident Tiny Dancer, Matt has a number of hobbies including Strava Art, refereeing and pretending to be injured
Alongside his on-air duties Matt is a creative little soul and is responsible for all of the artwork and graphics you see on the website and social media.
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favorite race:
London Marathon
Favourite parkrun:
Rotherham (only one I’ve done)
Favourite pre race fuel:
Meat feast pizza (sorry Rob)
Favourite podcast episode:
Jon Flynn (S1 Ep1) - not because of the guest (he was amazing though) but because it was start of our silly little journey
(in his own words) why should you listen to the podcast:
"we each have a story to tell, whether that's a goal you've accomplished, a weight loss journey, recovery from major injury, or running a world record around the world barefoot. Most importantly we try to bring a smile to everyone listening"
You can find out more about Matt by following him on social media:
Instagram: @mattyowls
Twitter: @mathewtaylor6
Jo
Lots of fingers in lots of pies and a key member behind the scenes. Loves a mundane task.
Jo went from 5k to marathon in 17 weeks back in 2018, and has been forever injured since! Happiest on the trails, holds the record for number of poos on the morning of a race!
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favourite race: Dewsbury 10k
Favourite Parkrun: Only done 3 and don't like any of them
Favourite pre race fuel: Veggie pizza
Favourite ever episode:
Women's takeover episode obvs !! (S2 Ep11)
(In her own words) Why should you listen to the show:
“The show is such an honest and funny production, and whilst it doesn't pretend to be anything it's not - it's mates having a laugh whilst loosely talking about running. It also doesn't shy away from the tough topics, like mental health and street harassment, etc. Not to mention the amazing guests it has on telling their incredible stories"
You can find out more about Jo by following her on social media:
Instagram: @now_then_mardy_bum_
JP
Podcast editor JP joined the team in 2021 and also helps to secure the awesome series guests and liaises with company's for our discount codes.
He is also a vocal football fan and put this to use as a co-host of the Football Pundit Imposters podcast with Rob.
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favourite race: London Marathon
Favourite Parkrun: Clitheroe (I love a hill)
Favourite pre race fuel: All the pizza
Favourite ever episode: So many to choose from but Oly Newton's story (S4 Ep12) really struck me. He's managed to turn his own situation around and is now doing some amazing work to help others - hero
(In his own words) Why should you listen to the show:
“The show is fun and easy listening with some inspirational chats but what makes it so great is the community that sits behind it #fartlekfamily"
You can find out more about JP and his amazing fundraising antics by listening to Series 6 Episode 1.
You should also follow him on social media:
Instagram: @jp.runsfree
Twitter: @JP_9_
Lou
Lou is the one of the creative forces behind WTF, a valuable part of our writing team, particularly the various skits and sketches you see across our socials and YouTube
She is now also a co-host and helps to lighten the on-air load for the lads and amazingly has the most interesting and varied cast of characters you could imagine living at her house….and none of them are ever seen together at the same time….go figure!
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favourite race: MK half marathon (her only race which hasn’t been virtual)
Favourite Parkrun: Willen Lake in Milton Keynes
Favourite pre race fuel: Bagel with peanut butter
Favourite episode: Matthew Pullan (S2 Ep3), such an inspirational human! Great episode
(In her own words) Why should you listen to the show:
“Simply for the lols and that’s it .... joke.
Serious talk, every week they interview someone truly inspiring.. not because they are achieving crazy unimaginable things but because they are humans doing something for them, their happiness, their goals and making people see anything is possible.
It’s not about times, record holders and who’s the best ... it’s about what makes you proud and doing just that”
You can find out more about Louise by following her on social media:
Instagram: @sweat_much
Meet The Team
Paul
Website manager responsible for uploading new content and can also be found behind the scenes, often helping to film some of the outdoor IGTV / You Tube segments.
Paul is a big coffee and cake lover and can often be found in his nearest coffee shop posting pics on social media.
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favourite race: Great North Run
Favourite Parkrun: Rother Valley
Favourite pre race fuel: Chicken & rice (especially a cheeky Nando's)
Favourite ever episode: Tom Dunning (S1 Ep3), really inspirational and moving story and one that I really resonated with. Plus this was the episode with the infamous crayon effort in the Make Matt Run segment.
(In his own words) Why should you listen to the show:
“It's such a fab mix of light hearted chat that's suitable for all levels of runners with great chats with ordinary runners. The guests are so relatable yet inspirational and we're not afraid to discuss important issues too.
Each episode is unique and you can find yourself laughing one minute and crying the next. We love hearing from all runners and are so pleased to be part of the supportive running community.
You can find out more about Paul by following him on social media:
Instagram: @mcpaul_roadrunner
Twitter: @McPaul279
Sammy
Another creative force behind the scenes, Sammy interacts with our Fartlek family and also lists amongst her accomplishments - writing the podcast theme tune and being married to Rob for 8 years without murdering him
Sammy is fairly new to running but loves taking on new challenges and pushing herself out of her comfort zone. She also believed that planes navigated through the sky using road signs attached to clouds until she was 30 years old
5 things you never knew you needed to know:
Favourite race: York 10k
Favourite Parkrun: Knowsley
Favourite pre race fuel: Bourbon biscuits and a brew
Favourite podcast episode:
Women’s takeover (S2 Ep11) as it was great to get a chance to speak to so many inspirational women and have a go at hosting
(In her own words) Why should you listen to the show:
“If you are looking for inspiration that you can relate to then this is the show for you. It is real stories from real people”
You can find out more about Sammy by following her on social media:
Instagram: @sam_runs_hitchmough
Twitter: @samEFC85
Statman Jon
Likes: Matts mum