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
69 episodes
Ally Sieff: From Trail Snail to Trail Runner—Embracing the Pace & Owning the Journey
💭 “I used to feel so embarrassed being the slow one. Now? I just embrace it. Trail on one sock, snail on the other.” — Ally SieffWhat does your first year of trail running really look like? The nerves. The f...
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46:46
Mariella Sawyer: Trail Running Nutrition Simplified—Fuel, Hydration & Energy Tips That Work
💭 “Fasted training. That’s the one that gets me. If you want to raise my blood pressure, bring up fasted training.” — Mariella SawyerWhat if your low energy, cramping, or mental fog on the trails isn’t a fitness issue… but a ...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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1:02:43
How the Cogmans Trail Run Became a Winter Classic | Robert Le Brun on Running Wild and Free
💭 "We just wanted to bring people together to experience the beauty of Montagu's trails." – Robert Le BrunWhat happens when a trail runner with a dream sets out to showcase one of South Africa’s hidden gems? If you're Robert Le ...
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21:10
Hans Troyer: Big Energy, Bigger Dreams – The Kid Who Can Go the Distance
💭 “I just fell in love with it—and now I can’t stop.”Hans Troyer is only 10 races into his trail running journey, but he’s already bringing serious energy, heart, and chaos to the sport. Known as The Destroyer, Hans is ...
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48:08
Janet Steer: Starting Late, Going Long — Why It’s Never Too Late to Try
💭 “If there’s a fizz of possibility, I’m there.” – Janet SteerWhat if your greatest endurance strength wasn’t speed but the willingness to start?In this episode of Trail Chasers, we meet Janet Steer: mom of three, ...
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52:57
James Montgomery: Run with Purpose—How Coaching Helps You Grow on and off the Trails
💭 “The most important thing you can do as a coach is respect that you don’t know everything.”What if unlocking your trail running potential wasn’t about running harder—but about learning to do less, better?In this episode of T...
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1:16:54
Michael Edwards: Running for Rivers—How RMB is Shaping Trail Events with Purpose
💭 "It does what it says on the tin. We are running—for rivers."What happens when a race is built with intention—not just to challenge runners, but to protect the places we run?If you're Michael Edwards from RMB<...
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19:14
Hein Boonzaaier | Full Send, Full Circle — How a Post-COVID Trail Challenge Became a Community Movement
💭 “We just wanted to create something that made people feel part of something again.”What do you do when races are cancelled, trails are empty, and the world has gone quiet?If you're Hein Boonzaaier, you team up wi...
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19:39
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