The Trail Chasers
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.
Episodes
61 episodes
Dr. Shaundre Jacobs: Built to Run—Strength, Power & Performance on the Trails
💭 “Strength training is such a powerful tool to change someone’s life—whether it’s for health or performance.”What if getting better at trail running didn’t mean running more—but building strength where it matters most?In...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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57:23
Rory Petzer: Champions Assemble — The Joy of Running, Laughing, and Showing Up
💭 “Champions assemble!”Rory Petzer isn’t just funny—he’s thoughtful, real, and surprisingly honest about what running means to him.In this first episode of our new series The People I Meet, Rory—comedian, radio hos...
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36:36
Hein Viljoen: Beyond the Run—Why Strength & Conditioning is a Game-Changer
💭 “It’s not flashy. It’s not gonna win you awards. You’re not putting it on Strava. But it impacts your runs tremendously.”What if the most important training you do doesn’t happen on the trails—but in the quiet, consistent work...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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42:56
Maranda Muller: Run Through Anything—How to Prepare for Rain, Rocks, and Raw Emotion
💭 “You can’t always choose your conditions. But you can choose how you show up.”What if running long distances wasn’t just about finishing but facing everything that shows up along the way? The rain. The rocks. The raw emotions that hit ...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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33:38
Zane Schmahl: Chasing Distance—What to Expect When the Trail Gets Longer
“You don’t have to know the whole route. You just need to take the first step.”What if chasing distance wasn’t just about going further—but about finding freedom, learning what you’re made of, and getting wonderfully, beautifully ...
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1:09:21
Owen Middleton: From Butterflies to Blisters—What Your First Trail Race Teaches You
“You don’t need to win it. You just need to learn from it.”What if your first trail race wasn’t just a run—but a rite of passage? A place to learn, get it wrong, laugh at yourself, and fall in love with the trails?In this e...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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1:14:57
Sue Ullyett—Volunteering, Vibes and Views: Where Community Shows Up
"It's a coming together of friends, people who you feel like family." Ever wondered how volunteering, vibes, and views come together to turn Ultra Trail Cape Town and Ultra Trail Drakensberg into unmissable community celebrations...
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Season 3
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46:14
Lindi Meyer—More Than a Run: How LIV2Run is Changing Lives, Not Just Finish Times
🏃♀️ "Changing or impacting a life is really a long game. It's a commitment to walking alongside people and investing long-term." Have you ever considered the profound impact that trail running can have beyond physical fitnes...
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Season 3
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57:22
Jenna Bowes: From Wine Gums to Finish Lines—Fueling Your First Trail Run
🍌 "The secret isn't just training and running. It's all about your nutrition. What to eat before, during, and after a run can make or break your running experience."Ever felt completely drained halfway thr...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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59:54
Jono Rumbelow: Start Strong—How to Choose the Right Trail Running Shoes for You
👟 "Running shoes are exactly the same as jeans. Different brands have different shapes."Choosing your first pair of trail shoes can feel like entering a foreign language class—foot shapes, pronation, stacks, drops.....
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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1:28:06
Coach Erin van Eyssen: Find Your Stride—How to Run Smart & Build Confidence on the Trails
🏃♂️ "Forget performance and enjoy it. Run with mates, explore new routes. Don’t look at your watch—spend more time looking up than looking down."Starting trail running can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In th...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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53:48
Mike Obery: Don’t Start Trail Running Alone—Why Community is the Key
🏃♂️ "I never thought a running group would change my life—but it did."In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Mike Obery to talk about the power of community in trail running. Mike shares how findi...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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50:50
Dean Horwitz: From Zero to Trail—How Running Changed My Life
"I could bench press over 100kgs, but I couldn’t walk 5KMs." 🤯In this special solo episode of Trail Chasers, Dean takes the mic alone for the first time to share his personal journey—how a passion for communication led hi...
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Season 3
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52:56
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Breaking Limits: Brendan Lombard on Coaching, Racing, and the Power of Smart Training
What if I told you that the secret to becoming a stronger, faster, and injury-free runner isn’t just running more—but running smarter?In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz sits down with Brendan Lomb...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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56:20
Breaking Barriers with Bryony: How Chicks Who Trail is Changing the Game for Women
What if I told you that one woman’s vision, a simple WhatsApp group, and a desire for connection could create a movement that empowers women in trail running?In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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1:02:24
Trail Running in the Deep South: No Plans, No Rules, Just Community
What if I told you that a small group of friends, a WhatsApp chat, and a love for the mountains could spark a trail running revolution?In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz dives into the story of h...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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38:27
Just Start: Kieran’s Journey of Creativity, Overcoming Adversity, and the Joy of Trail Running
What if I told you that building a personal brand, embracing creativity, and conquering challenges could lead to a life of adventure and inspiration?In this engaging episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz ch...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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40:34
Hot Pants, High Peaks, and the Heart of Trail Running: Chantel Nienaber's Inspiring Journey
What if I told you that the journey of a trail runner can transform from focused ambition to a celebration of community, gratitude, and self-discovery?In this engaging episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz ...
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39:16
Proving Them Wrong: Rebecca Kohne on Resilience, Trail Running, and Overcoming the Odds
What if I told you the journey of a trail runner is filled with unexpected twists, personal growth, and the thrill of competition?In this inspiring episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz sits down with Rebec...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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1:01:10
Scaling Peaks: How Trail Running is Transforming the UAE
What if I told you that trail running isn’t just about conquering rugged terrains, but about building a community, showcasing natural beauty, and redefining what’s possible?In this inspiring episode of Trail Chasers, hos...
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Season 2
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36:37
Telling Her Story: Becky Leighton on Community, Connection, and the Evolving World of Trail Running
What if I told you that the journey of a trail runner isn’t just about the miles covered, but the stories discovered along the way?In this insightful episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz sits down with Becky Lei...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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1:13:36
Rooted in the Drakensberg: Spurgeon Flemington on Balancing Farming with Building Iconic Trail Races
What if I told you that balancing the demands of farming with the creation of iconic trail races in the rugged Drakensberg could teach us about resilience, community, and the power of nature?In this episode of Trail Chas...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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1:05:00
South Africa’s Adventure Racing Heroes: Journey Through Grit, Endurance, and Triumph
What if I told you that pushing through the mud, heat, and altitude of Ecuador’s unforgiving landscapes could teach us about the raw power of resilience and teamwork?In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz sit...
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32:45
Rising on the Trails: Rebecca Watney on Her Breakout Year, Resilience, and the Path to Elite Running
What if I told you that the journey of a trail runner is filled with unexpected twists, personal growth, and the thrill of competition?In this captivating episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz welcomes Rebecca Watney, a ris...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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57:09
Through Forests, Waterfalls, and Dreams: A Bucket List Adventure at SkyRun Zimbabwe
What if I told you that one trail can transform your perspective, challenge your limits, and leave you yearning for more?In this special episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz takes you deep into the heart of the Eas...
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26:45