For anybody considering an off road race, don’t be put off by the one that features in this video 😂 Brutal Run are a U.K. Company that specialise in races that are a little more “interesting” than normal. There are plenty of less extreme versions to start with (although maybe not as much fun😆)

My gosh yes, trail running is where it's at. Firstly, no-one can see you. This is extremely important. You're mostly alone and you don't have to make eye contact with anyone. Beautiful. Secondly, shade. Thirdly, softer ground. Fourthly, beautiful wildlife. Fifthly, I've had religious experiences on the trail. When you're out there for hours and hours all by yourself you first are running away from the issues in your life. Then you're working through the issues. Then you have imaginary conversations with people. Then you're pondering other things. Then, if you run long enough and are lucky, there's absolute silence. Blessed, blessed silence. It's just you and your feet and the woods. And the world is yours and you are the world's. You are one with it and belong with it. Your footfalls are the heartbeat of the Earth. It's beautiful and I miss it so so so much it hurts and must admit I'm tearing up a bit right now.

I think there’s a couple of other benefits too - you don’t have to keep stopping for crossings, side roads, traffic, pedestrians, red lights etc - you aren’t breathing in car exhaust - you aren’t likely to get hit by a car - and just being in green spaces is proven to make us happier

You can't beat exercising in nature, hearing the birds, the smell of damp woodland, love my bike rides here around the vale of belvoir 😍

I have lost count of the amount of off road events I have done and I can't agree more with you. I do run road and I do road events. I have never finished a road event with the same silly grin on my face that I have on any of my off road events 👍

Love off road running, waist high mud, rocks and gravel, retention ponds, trees and bushes, what fun!

37 year old, 340 pounds, took my first off road running steps today. I'm combining it with Nordic walking at first.

This is absolute perfection! Thank you for making this.

Another great video thanks Mark!! I love that sarcastic sense of humor, keeps me coming back everytime there's a new video!!

I watched this video and have since rediscovered my love for our amazing local forest. Two 10k trail runs completed in the last week and absolutely loving every second!

That was great so inspiring Well done

Brilliant Mark, totally agree with you. Off road is the way ahead

There is science all over this video. Lovely!!

Thanks for this video - it has confirmed for me that I will stick to mountain biking and that off-road runners are all nuts 😛👏

Couldn’t have put it better myself Mark anything off road is great out of the way of people just you and nature enjoyed it lots of water and mud 👍

This has opened my mind to what else is out there 🙌🏻

Fantastic!

Being now in my early 40s I can honestly say that since being a kid I never ran. When I tried I had really bad case of shin splints. So bad that gave that up 15yrs ago. Some sports doc said I have shin splints because I run in a bad way, he didnt expand and I didnt follow up on it. Came across this channel and it gave me a thought that maybe I should try again.How can I start now, before I get to your age and well will be too late for a meaningful change etc.

I’ve only just seen this, 2 years or more after it was first posted, but I’ve got to say that I 100% agree with what you’re saying about running off-road. I’ve been out of running for a year due to cancer treatment, I’m just starting to run a bit. On Sunday I did the first 2km of an 8km cross country race but it was such good fun, just gotta get a bit of strength and fitness back now!

you're an inspiration! I entered a marathon for Oct 2nd and I have a lot of work to do to just be able to finish

I used to do fell running and it's brilliant for de stressing, I believe off-road runners are more helpful and considerate and just more fun😁 I always run in Altras as well and they're brilliant for that. Never heard of these races before but look fun

I was reading something recently that said that walking over uneven ground might contribute to the delay of the onset of dementia. So another tick for off road running. Something about all those small changes to movement being good for the brain.

hey Mark another great video ! this sounds like a trick question, but i am 6 ft 4 and wandered how to utilize my long stride to my advantage?

That’s a great video

I’ve heard that it’s actually a misnomer running on hard surfaces is actually worse for your joints, as your body adapts to better absorb the impact the more running you do on the harder surfaces. Trail running is great and I agree with all the positives you mentioned. I just think sometimes people irrationally fear running on hard services.

Great video Mark, completely agree, trail running is so much more engaging whilst also being a better all body workout! How do you secure your camera when you are running? Do you use a chest strap?

This just like swimrun events except the water is a bit deeper very enjoyable

I just started recently, one thing that is great about running in mountains is , if you start from low to high, at the halfway point youve done 3/4 of the work. the second half is downhill and you finish strong.

I mainly cycle but bought a treadmill a few weeks ago and did my first road run the other day which did have a section of gravel paths included.. must say I did enjoy it but my legs were aching for two days afterwards with a shin splints throbbing type pain! So will need to look into that but some PR Lotion did help.. will try again soon, keep the content coming great inspiration👍

Started looking around my hometown for similar things even though I don’t run because my knees are both surgically repaired but my fitness is not bad. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to try again.

facts

I need a lie down after watching Mark do this off roader

I like to commute on runs to half and half road trail

Love your channel!! Another great video. What Salomon are you wearing for that race?

Easier on the Body: Off-road running is less impactful on joints and muscles compared to running on tarmac. It also reduces the risk of repetitive strain injuries due to the varying nature of the terrain. Break from Numbers: Off-road running allows you to disconnect from performance metrics and focus on the experience. Mark mentions that he only used his Garmin watch to start and stop the race, ignoring it otherwise. Mental Benefits: Running through nature offers a unique form of relaxation and stress relief. Mark compares it to solving immediate problems, which he believes humans are designed to do. Better All-Round Exercise: Off-road running works more muscle groups and requires greater core strength. It's also more draining, making it a better workout overall. More Fun: Off-road running offers a more enjoyable experience, especially when done with friends, family, or pets. It allows for a more communal and less competitive atmosphere.

The roads in Manchester are so bad that it's almost like trail running

I love a good brutal run, was fairly disappointed with the lack of shit (mud) and water obstacles lol! Bagshot was awesome, remember telling the Mrs it’s only a 10k be done with in the hour…. 3hrs later….. never assumed a brutal run would be quick after that 😂 This your first brutal?

One reason not to run off road if Ur not big dude.. is I watched a lot of serial killer movies.. you simply don't off road n go to haunted houses

Another benefit of going offroad is that it's easier too stop for a snack on a leaf or a shrubbery or whatever vegans snack on... :P

Kind of disappointed with your new movement to becoming a Vegan, there was no footage of you stopping to eat some of the foliage on your run. 😉

Hi Mark, enjoying the content, been through a fair bit of it now. Out of interest, can I ask where you find and book your trail runs, mostly interested in 10k, up to 1/2's off-road. I've found a site called find a race, but I'm not sure if that's the best place or not. Would be good to know. Thanks.

I agree Mark, I'm lucky enough to have awesome bush courses on my doorstep with all types of terrain and surfaces. Check out my strava. 😉 Keep up the great training and content, loving it. 😊

What trail trainers do you recommend?

I still can't wrap my head around the idea that I'm not going to slip or sprain my ankle. A rabbit hole, a hump or rock hidden under grass... also my house is on a small hill and I know from experience how slippery the grass is when wet. It seems like these trails are somewhat cultivated. there are fallen branches and pools but other than that in general it is wide and maintained. I don't think we have anywhere like that around me. Either it's tarmac or it's extremely narrow and wild.

How crazy is the price of this race … take up hashing

How was the car fumes not a reason in itself?

What did the person want at 0:50?

Could not agree w everything you said....I’d add, that for some, running beyond 5 or so k off road should also be avoided cuz your unbalanced bone structure will not enjoy it....hiking in the hills and trails at a brisk pace could serve many folks a lot of good. Did 10x Alpe d Z on Saturday....is that too repetitive? #neveragain. #NO 2-12!

Great points. I exclusively run off road because my running buddy prefers it. He’s a spaniel…

To me, running and being in nature are practically inseparable.

Looking for an action man who loves wearing pink socks who can hit 1,000 watts + in September. If you know of said human please let me know.

10/10 content. Only thing I’ll point out is the frequent mouth noises during commentary. Little off putting. Hydration / green apples will help.

5 reasons to stay on the road. 1 Bears 2 mountain lions 3 snakes 4 scorpions 5 spiders