Sunday Runday The Podcast

This episode is a powerful reminder of what running can become when it’s tied to purpose. We sit down with Leodhais (Marathon Man), who ran 128 marathons in 128 days in memory of his brother Connor a challenge that stretched far beyond physical limits. Lewis shares how the project “NCL to NYC” began, the mental battles behind daily marathons, and how the journey transformed him from someone who never spoke about his grief to someone now raising awareness for suicide prevention every single day. We talk about the brutal winter miles, the 4am starts before work, the emotional weight of the New York Marathon, and how sharing his story has helped thousands. He also opens up about his new chapter: running all six World Marathon Majors across 2026–2027, using each race to continue spreading hope, awareness, and Connor’s legacy. This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply human a reminder that running can heal, connect, and change lives. A must‑listen for anyone who loves this sport or needs a story of resilience.

This week’s episode is a powerful reminder of what running can become when it’s tied to love, resilience, and family. We sit down with Declan, who shares his journey from midnight training runs during the hardest chapter of his life to running marathons with his daughter Hazel a little girl who has faced more challenges than most of us will ever know. Declan opens up about Hazel’s diagnosis, the fear and grief that followed, and how running became a way to cope, to stay strong, and to show Hazel the world in a way she can experience and enjoy. We talk about his first Sydney Marathon on almost no sleep, the Sunshine Coast breakthrough, weaving through the field with a pram, and the emotional moment of hearing hundreds of people cheer Hazel’s name. We dive into the creation of Running for Hazel, the push to get a racing chair, the goal of bringing Hazel to Sydney and Melbourne, and the deeper mission behind it all giving Hazel joy, connection, and the marathon experience so many runners cherish. This conversation is raw, honest, and full of heart. A must‑listen for anyone who believes running is more than just miles.

Perfect Stride has become a staple in the NYC running community and in this episode, founder Vikash Sharma shares the story behind it. From leaving a high‑volume clinic to building a runner‑centric model that keeps people running through injury, Vikash breaks down what truly matters: education, consistency, and understanding the athlete in front of you. We talk gait analysis myths, heavy strength work, the rise of run clubs, and why Running for Life Education is helping coaches and physios speak the language of runners. Vikash also opens up about his own lifelong relationship with running, how the sport has supported him through major life moments, and why the NYC running scene has exploded into one of the most vibrant communities in the world. This conversation goes beyond injury and performance it’s about building healthier runners, better coaching, and a culture that keeps people moving for life. A powerful listen for anyone who loves this sport.

At just 19 years old, Sabin has already completed two marathons, a 20km Eco Trail race in Jordan, and built a running journey grounded in discipline, community, and pure determination. In this episode, Sabin shares how she went from struggling through a 2km charity walk to setting a goal that changed her life: running a marathon exactly one year later. We dive into her experience racing in Jordan’s challenging elevation, placing first in her age category, and the incredible support she found within the running community. Sabin also opens up about balancing marathon training with two majors and a minor, becoming a certified Legree instructor, training for Hyrox, and now learning to ride a bike with hopes of completing an Ironman in the future. This conversation is packed with inspiration for new runners, young athletes, and anyone who needs a reminder that showing up is the hardest part and discipline beats motivation every time. If Sabin’s story inspires even one person to start running, she considers that her biggest win. Let’s get into it.

This week we sit down with Bec Bennett a Melbourne runner, dietitian, and a powerful voice for women navigating running in their 40s. Bec shares her journey from recreational running during COVID, to her first marathon at Gold Coast 2023, where she hit the wall hard and walked away disappointed… only to return stronger the following year. We dive into the stress fracture that sidelined her from Sydney, the emotional toll of missing the start line, the long road through misdiagnosis, crutches, and rebuilding her health with the right support team. And then comes her comeback: Gold Coast 2026 a race run with gratitude, caution, courage, and a pace she didn’t expect to hold. Now, Bec is heading to Sydney Marathon with a careful plan, and a mindset built on resilience rather than time goals. A powerful conversation about injury, identity, recovery, and rediscovering the joy of simply being able to run.

This week, we sits down with Rede Carney a Sydney Marathon veteran whose running story is as real as it gets. Rede opens up about starting his fitness journey as an overweight teenager, finding confidence through triathlon, and eventually discovering a deep love for running. He shares how he carved his marathon times down from 4:02 to 2:46, what makes Sydney such a special (and misunderstood) course, and the honest truth behind training while raising two kids. And then comes the Gold Coast Marathon a brutal battle with plantar fasciitis, seized quads, raw emotion, and the moment he crossed the finish line to collapse into his family’s arms. If you love stories of resilience, community, and the reality behind chasing your best, this episode hits hard.

This week we are joined on the show by Eman, a marathon runner who’s completed over 50 marathons, a pacer, and now the taking year off of work to complete a Parkrun World Tour with his family. Eman shares how his running journey began back in 2008 when “I couldn’t even run around the block because I was just so unfit” and how that slow, steady progress eventually led him to pacing marathons, including Sydney, Gold Coast, Kuala Lumpur and soon Berlin. He opens up about the joy of pacing (“it’s as equal to achieving your personal best”), running alongside 2018 Boston Marathon champion Yuki Kawauchi, and why Parkrun has become a global community he’s deeply passionate about. We also dive into his upcoming 12‑month sabbatical, travelling across four continents to complete 50 Parkruns with his wife and kids. A conversation full of heart, community, and pure running love.

A powerful conversation with ultra‑runner and epilepsy advocate Rafa Garcia, whose journey goes far beyond the kilometres he covers. Rafa shares how becoming a father to a daughter with epilepsy reshaped his life, inspired the creation of One in 25, and fuelled his mission to raise awareness through endurance challenges. From backyard ultras to 31 half marathons in 31 days and most recently, his 329km run from the Sydney Opera House to Parliament House Rafa opens up about the mental battles, the responsibility he carried, the lack of media support, and the deeper purpose behind every step. A raw, inspiring reminder of what’s possible when community, courage and cause come together.

When life hit breaking point, Jason Rantall made one choice that changed everything: he quit smoking on January 31st and started running on February 1st. What began as pain, escape, and survival slowly became connection, clarity, and purpose. In this episode, Jason opens up about rebuilding his life through movement, learning to stop runningaway from himself, and becoming a powerful advocate for mental health in his community. We dive into Better Mental, the run groups, the conversations that save lives, and the incredible challenges he’s taken on including the 801km run for suicide awareness and his massive efforts in the Backyard Ultra world. It’s raw, honest, and full of hope. A reminder that support isn’t weakness, movement shifts the mind, and you don’t have to do any of it alone.

Scott’s marathon journey is one of the wildest progressions you’ll ever hear from running his first-ever race the day before the 2021 NYC Marathon to becoming a 2:47 marathoner just a few years later. In this episode, Scott breaks down how he went from a 6:27 debut to sub‑3, to 2:47, and why the Dopey Challenge, Berlin, Chicago, and Philly each shaped him into the runner he is today. We talk training, confidence, setbacks, breakthroughs, and the moment he realised he truly belonged in the sport. His advice for new runners is gold, simple, honest, and grounded in experience. A must‑listen for anyone chasing improvement, rediscovering their love for running, or needing proof that consistency changes everything.

Shona didn’t start running until nearly 60. What began as a simple walk to improve her health turned into 5Ks, half marathons, and a deep love for the running community. In this episode, Shona shares how ADHD shaped her journey, the emotional story behind her first half marathon on Kangaroo Island, overcoming injuries including two broken ankles, and the mindset shifts that helped her push through tough moments like Brisbane Half. She also talks about running with her husband, finding joy in travel runs, and her upcoming goals from Gold Coast to Melbourne. Shona’s story proves it’s never too late to start and that running is as much about joy and community as it is about the kilometres.

Before he turns 30, Theo set himself a challenge most runners only dream about: six marathons across six continents. But this journey didn’t start with a finish line it started with a collapsed lung, weeks in bed, and a promise to himself that once he could breathe freely again, he’d live fully again. In this episode, Theo takes us through every step of that promise. From Valencia, where he learned what “the wall” really feels like… To New York, the 42‑kilometre street party… To Sao Paulo, his childhood dream destination… To Osaka, where the jet lag hit as hard as the marathon… To Cape Town, where a cancelled race became the catalyst for his first sub‑3… And finally, to Melbourne, where he’ll complete his six‑continent mission inside the iconic MCG. It’s a story of resilience, travel, community, heartbreak, joy and what happens when running becomes the vehicle for rebuilding your life.

Meriem’s story is one of courage, community, and rediscovering strength through running. Growing up between Casablanca and Australia, she navigated cultural identity, bullying, and an eating disorder before a 7km fun run changed her path. Running became a lifeline from her first marathon at 15 raising funds for Syria, to balancing elite training with med school, motherhood, and managing Type 1 diabetes. It remains her anchor through life’s challenges. This episode explores resilience, belonging, and the power of starting small and trusting the process. Her journey reminds us why we lace up and who we become along the way.

Mark joins the show to share how running completely transformed his life not through race day, but through the training that reshaped his mindset, his habits, his relationships, and his purpose. We dive into mental clarity, early‑morning miles, running without music, becoming a coach, pacing others to PBs, and why running makes us better in every part of life. A powerful conversation about growth, discipline, and finding joy in the process.

This week we are joined by Leigh Witney, the creator of Sweatmasters Health & Fitness a place that’s become a second home for so many of us in the Bayside running and training community. We dive into the 16‑year story behind Sweatmasters, how cross‑training shapes stronger runners, and why community is the secret ingredient that keeps people showing up. Leigh also opens up about his own journey: Ironmans, trail ultras, Hyrox, injuries, nutrition breakthroughs, and what it really takes to stay motivated over the long haul. Whether you’re new to running, building consistency, or chasing your next big challenge, Leigh’s perspective is packed with practical wisdom and grounded, real‑world experience.

On this week’s episode we sit down with Geoffrey a runner whose story is one of the most powerful comebacks you’ll ever hear. Growing up with a knee injury that stopped him from playing sports, Geoffrey found belonging through boxing and later became a top‑level paintball athlete, even captaining the French national team. But in 2019, everything collapsed bankruptcy, divorce, losing access to his children, and then a cancer diagnosis that pushed him into four years of darkness. What happened next is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2024, Geoffrey decided to rebuild his life from the ground up. He joined a local running club, struggled through his first 8 km, and then in a moment of pure instinct signed up for the Iceland Volcano Marathon. With only months to train, he transformed his body, his mind, and his entire lifestyle. This episode dives into his journey from rock bottom to running his first marathon around a volcano, the community that lifted him up, and the pride of showing his children the power of never giving up. If you love running stories, comeback stories, or simply stories that remind you what humans are capable of, this one will stay with you.

Donvé’s running story didn’t begin with a race bib — it began in lockdown, chasing curiosity, stacking distance, and accidentally running her first marathon before she ever entered one. In this week’s episode, she takes us through her rapid rise: • How a spontaneous 42.2 km run during COVID changed everything • Her first official marathon at Melbourne 2022 and smashing a “cool‑looking” time goal • Back‑to‑back wins at Run for the Kids • The build, the nerves, the gut issues, and the grit behind her 2:41 PB at Ballarat • Why she loves the half marathon, how she handles pressure, and what’s next on her racing calendar It’s a conversation about joy, progression, community, and the mindset that turns potential into performance. A beautifully honest look at a runner who’s inspiring more people than she realises.

Lisa’s running story is one built on patience, resilience, and a deep love for the marathon. In this episode, she takes us from her first hometown race in Grand Rapids back in 2012 all the way to completing her Six Star journey in Tokyo 13 years in the making. We talk about the highs, the setbacks, the years she stepped away while raising her kids, and the moment she realised she wanted to chase all six majors. She opens up about training through brutal Michigan winters, running Tokyo after months on the treadmill, and the surreal feeling of crossing that finish line with her family there to witness it. Then we dive into one of the wildest challenges in US running: Boston to Big Sur two iconic marathons, six days apart, coast to coast. Lisa breaks down the recovery, the travel, the mental battle, and the beauty of Big Sur’s legendary course. It’s a conversation about longevity, rediscovering yourself, and the magic of the running community.

After college athletics ended, Faith felt the identity loss so many runners know “there’s a moment where you almost lose your identity after collegiate sports” . But one marathon changed everything. In this episode, we explore a journey built on joy, grit, and connection from sprinting the 400m in college to discovering the mental strength needed for 26.2. From running her first marathon hand‑in‑hand with her dad to qualifying for Boston by just five seconds. From getting lost on the Iceland volcano course to finding confidence again on the streets of Boston. Faith shares how running became her way to inspire others “if I’m able to inspire one person, I’m happy with that” and why chasing a marathon in every state (and a sub‑3:20) is the next big dream. If you love stories about resilience, family, and the magic of the running community, this one will stay with you long after the run is over.

Simone Carniglia joins the show from Italy with a remarkable story of resilience and precision. In just seven years, he’s gone from recovering after surgery and weighing nearly 130kg to becoming the world record holder for the fastest person with Type 1 Diabetes to complete all six and all seven World Major Marathons. We talk about how a spontaneous 10K in Milan changed his life, how he’s now run 20 marathons around the world, and what it truly takes to race at a high level while managing a condition that demands constant attention. Simone opens up about the mental load, the nightly alarms, the risks, and the discipline behind every run — and how he helped open the door for athletes with T1D to be recognised by Guinness World Records. A powerful conversation about overcoming obstacles, redefining limits, and inspiring others to do the same.