The guest in this episode is Stuart Gemmill. Stuart is a run coach based in Harare, Zimbabwe. He’s an ultra-runner himself, having completed 28 Comrades marathons, and he’s gearing up for his 29th this year. Last October, he won the Runyanga 100-mile ultra.

In this episode, we dive into Stuart’s incredible running journey, spanning decades. We talk about the running culture in Zimbabwe, the exponential growth of the sport, and the measures race organizers can take to improve efficiency, professionalism, and runner safety. We also explore trail running in Zimbabwe, and Stuart shares his insights as a coach—giving advice for those just starting out in running.

Links

Comrades Marathon – https://www.comrades.com
Richmond Marathon (Durban) – https://richmondmarathon.co.za
Skyrun (Zimbabwe) – https://skyrunzim.com
The Lion King – https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/the-lion-king-1994/
Atomic Habits by James Clear – https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
Training Essentials for Ultrarunning by Jason Koop – https://trainright.com/book/
The Happy Runner by David Roche & Megan Roche – https://www.happy-runner.com
Stuart's Instagram
Trailblazerszim Instagram

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Longevity in Ultra Running and the Growth of Running in Zimbabwe: A Conversation with Stuart Gemmill