The Trail Chasers – Details, episodes & analysis

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 "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 Muzopambwa

In 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.

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"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."

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💭 “Discipline takes you places where motivation can’t.”                                             — Marissa Groenewald, the Rope Runner

What does it take to create an entirely new running discipline — rope running — while balancing motherhood, business, and a mission to fight human trafficking?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz is joined by Marissa Groenewald — trail runner, road runner, business owner, and the world’s first true rope runner — for a powerful conversation about discipline, courage, and carving out a new path in sport.

From training in secret with a skipping rope to taking on Comrades, UTCT, and launching the Upper Highway Trail Marathon, Marissa shares how rope running became her platform to raise awareness for human trafficking, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the dream of taking this proudly South African innovation to the global stage.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:
 ✅ How Marissa turned boredom in the gym into a brand-new running discipline
 ✅ The challenges of rope running in races and why she kept it secret at first
 ✅ How she combines her passion for running with her fight against human trafficking
 ✅ The story behind founding the Upper Highway Trail Marathon
 ✅ Why discipline matters more than motivation in chasing impossible goals

Whether you’re lacing up for your first 5K, chasing ultras, or simply curious about what’s possible when passion meets purpose, Marissa’s story proves that innovation, courage, and community can change lives — on and off the trails.

Season 3 of Trail Chasers is proudly sponsored by:
 🧦 Gilnokie Socks – gilnokie.com
| Use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off
🕶 Boonies Sunglasses – boonies.co.za
| Adventure-ready eyewear for every runner

Enjoying the season? Subscribe, leave a review, and tag us on Instagram @trailchaserspod to share your thoughts on rope running and Marissa’s journey.

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💭 “I try to put my life into different boxes — work, running, social, family — and give each one the time it deserves. Because if everything overlaps, life just becomes chaos.” — Daniel Claassen

What does balance really look like when you’re working full-time, running professionally, and still competing on the world stage?

In this episode of Trail Chasers (recorded earlier this year before Daniel achieved his incredible 5th place at UTMB TDS), host Dean Horwitz is joined by Daniel Claassen — South African trail runner, Red Bull Category Manager, and Adidas Terrex athlete — for a deep dive into balance, consistency, and resilience.

From childhood runs with his dad to chasing his dream of a sub-12hr finish at UTMB CCC, Daniel shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the mistakes that taught him the most, and how he keeps training, work, and life in harmony.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:
 ✅ How Daniel balances his full-time Red Bull career with elite-level racing for Adidas Terrex
 ✅ Why consistency matters more than chasing mileage
 ✅ Lessons from burnout, mistakes, and finding perspective
 ✅ The mindset that carried him to his best CCC performance
 ✅ Why balance is the foundation of long-term running success

💬 Whether you’re juggling training with work, family, or big dreams, Daniel’s story proves that balance is both the challenge and the key to growth.

🎙 Trail Chasers Season 3 is proudly sponsored by:
 🧦 Gilnokie Socks – gilnokie.com
| Use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off
🕶 Boonies Sunglasses – boonies.co.za
| Adventure-ready eyewear for every runner

📩 Enjoying the season? Subscribe, review, and tag us on Instagram @trailchaserspod
to share how you manage balance in your life. 

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💭 “If you told me I was never going to race again, I’d still run every day.” — Kane Reilly

What does it take to stay in love with running after more than a decade in the sport? To keep showing up, not just for results, but for the process itself? To balance competition, work, family, and still find joy on the trails?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz is joined by Kane Reilly — trail runner, Cape Town local, and Adidas Terrex athlete — for a conversation about longevity, perspective, and passion in running.

From his childhood adventures in Newlands Forest to representing South Africa on the international stage, Kane shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career. He opens up about overcoming autoimmune arthritis, what keeps him grounded in the sport, and why winning isn’t the only measure of success.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:
 ✅ The mindset shifts that help Kane stay consistent and motivated
 ✅ How to avoid burnout and build a long-term relationship with running
 ✅ Lessons from injury, resilience, and redefining identity as an athlete
 ✅ Why performance isn’t always about podiums or medals
 ✅ Kane’s training philosophy and how he balances racing, family, and work
 ✅ The importance of fun, flexibility, and perspective in every runner’s journey

💬 Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete, Kane’s story will remind you that the true win is being able to keep running year after year.

🎙 Trail Chasers Season 3 is proudly sponsored by:
 🧦 Gilnokie Socks – gilnokie.com
| Use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off
🕶 Boonies Sunglasses – boonies.co.za
| Adventure-ready eyewear for every runner

📩 Enjoying the season? Subscribe, review, and tag us on Instagram @trailchaserspod
to share your own story of longevity in running.

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💭 “As a child, we have these amazing experiences… we don’t have to go too far from that to feel the same magic again.” — Robbie Rorich

What does it mean to run for joy, not just results? How do you keep the spark alive when running becomes serious? How can you step onto the trail and find freedom, flow, and adventure in every stride?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz is joined by Robbie Rorich, a trail runner, movement enthusiast, and adventurer, for a conversation that celebrates curiosity, play, and connection to nature.

From barefoot mountain runs to multi-day journeys, Robbie has learned how to protect the joy that drew him to trail running in the first place. He shares how to navigate the pressures of competition, the lessons he has carried from childhood adventures, and why the best runs are often the ones without a watch or a plan.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How to find and keep the joy in trail running
✅ Why flow matters more than finish times
✅ Robbie’s approach to staying curious and playful in training
✅ The mindset shift that helped him rediscover his love for running
✅ How to balance adventure with racing goals
✅ The power of being present for unforgettable runs

💬 If you have ever felt your body light up on the trail, this episode will remind you how to keep that feeling alive.

🎙 Trail Chasers Season 3 is proudly sponsored by:
Gilnokie Socks 🧦 – gilnokie.com | Use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off
Boonies Sunglasses 🕶 – boonies.co.za | Adventure-ready eyewear for every runner

📩 Enjoying the season? Subscribe, review, and tag us on Instagram @trailchaserspod to share your own joy-of-running moment.

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💭 “Trails connect us to wild spaces, to communities, and to ourselves.” — Blake Dyason

What does it really mean to give back to the places we run? To protect the paths that hold our best memories, our hardest moments, and the people we’ve met along the way?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz is joined by Blake Dyason—a mountain rescuer, conservationist, and founder of Love Our Trails—for a conversation that goes far beyond running.

Blake has spent years building a movement around safety, stewardship, and community. From late-night rescues to alien tree clearing, he’s one of the people quietly keeping the trails safe, open, and alive for the rest of us.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why trail running isn’t just about pace—but about presence
✅ The one sentence that changed Blake’s life forever
✅ What to always carry on a trail run (it’s not just for you)
✅ How trail runners can reduce their impact and prevent damage
✅ The biggest safety mistakes runners make on the mountain
✅ Why “giving back” doesn’t have to mean money
✅ How to build a legacy on the trails—for the next generation

💬 Run long enough, and the mountain gives you something. This one’s about giving something back.

🎙 Trail Chasers Season 3 is proudly sponsored by:
 Gilnokie Socks 🧦 – gilnokie.com | Use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off
Boonies Sunglasses 🕶 – boonies.co.za | Adventure-ready eyewear for every runner

📩 Enjoying the season? Subscribe, review, and tag us on Instagram @trailchaserspod to share what the trail has given you.

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💭 “We’re just a bunch of trail runners trying to solve a problem we’ve had ourselves.”

Jeremy Bohnett didn’t set out to build a sports nutrition brand. But when his best friend started mixing powders in his basement, something clicked. That something became Hyperlyte—a no-BS fuel made by trail runners, for trail runners.

In this second episode of The People I Meet, Jeremy—co-founder and self-declared “Chief of Stoke”—shares how a friendship, a simple formula, and a punk-rock approach to trail running turned into a fast-growing movement. It’s a story about solving problems you’ve felt yourself, showing up in person when others don’t, and chasing passion over polish.

This one’s about more than carbs and sodium. It’s about grit, community, and building something that feels like trail.

What you’ll take away from this episode:
✅ Why the best ideas often start in basements and backyards 🧪
✅ The power of building with purpose—not polish 🤘
✅ How trail running inspired a brand that feels like trail 🏔️
✅ Why doing things that don’t scale might be the smartest move 🔧
✅ How showing up in person still matters—maybe more than ever 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽

🔥 Got a wild idea you can’t shake?
 Tag @trailchaserspod or DM us—because we love stories that start scrappy and end somewhere surprising.

🎙 The People I Meet is proudly supported by Gilnokie Socks 🧦
Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order.

📩 If this episode got you fired up, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building something they believe in. We’re all chasing stoke in our own way.

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💭 “I used to feel so embarrassed being the slow one. Now? I just embrace it. Trail on one sock, snail on the other.” — Ally Sieff

What does your first year of trail running really look like? The nerves. The falls. The group runs where you get dropped. The slow, quiet wins that no one sees.

In this episode of Trail Chasers, host Dean Horwitz is joined by Ally Sieff—a strength coach, trail runner, and ASICS FrontRunner—to share an honest reflection on what it’s like to start trail running from zero.

Ally didn’t grow up running. She didn’t think she was an endurance athlete. But over the past year, she’s fallen in love with the trails, one solo mission, group run, and muddy race at a time.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

 ✅ What no one tells you about starting slow and staying consistent
 ✅ How Ally trained for her first trail race and dealt with injury setbacks
 ✅ Why road running helped build a base for mountain trails
 ✅ The emotional rollercoaster of group runs and getting dropped
 ✅ How strength training can support your trail running journey
 ✅ What to expect when joining a trail running community
 ✅ Tips for overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome

💬 New to trail running? This episode is for you—or that friend who keeps saying “I could never do that.” Share it, and help someone take their first step.

🎙 Trail Chasers Season 3 is proudly sponsored by:
Gilnokie Socks 🧦 – gilnokie.com | Use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off
Boonies Sunglasses 🕶 – boonies.co.za | Adventure-ready eyewear for every runner

📩 Enjoying the season? Subscribe, review, and tag us on Instagram @trailchaserspod to share what keeps you chasing the trail.

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💭 “Fasted training. That’s the one that gets me. If you want to raise my blood pressure, bring up fasted training.” — Mariella Sawyer

What if your low energy, cramping, or mental fog on the trails isn’t a fitness issue… but a fuelling one?

In this episode of Trail Chasers, we’re joined by Mariella Sawyer—professional triathlete, registered dietitian, and new mom—to break down trail running nutrition into simple, actionable tips that actually work.

From early-morning runs and race-day strategies to hydration, electrolytes, and the truth about fasted training, Mariella busts common myths and gives you tools to fuel smarter, run stronger, and recover better—without overthinking it.

Whether you’re training for a 5K, a 100-miler, or just trying to find consistency, this episode is packed with real-world advice for runners at every level.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

 ✅ Why fasted training may be slowing you down—not helping
 ✅ How to tell if you’re a “salty sweater” (and why it matters)
 ✅ Pre-run breakfast tips for early starters
 ✅ How much water and electrolytes your body actually needs
 ✅ When to use caffeine—and when it can backfire
 ✅ The essential carbs-per-hour formula for long runs
 ✅ How to balance real food with sports nutrition products

💬 Know a runner who’s confused about what to eat? Share this episode—they’ll thank you at their next aid station.

🎙 Season 3 is proudly sponsored by:
Gilnokie Socks 🧦 – Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order
Boonies Sunglasses 🕶 – Visit boonies.co.za to grab your next pair of adventure-ready sunnies

📩 Enjoying the season? Subscribe, review, and tag us @trailchaserspod—we’d love to hear what’s fuelling your next run.