Sabrina Pace-Humphreys – UTMB, Trail Running, and Building Community: The Journey of a Runner and Advocate
Release Date: 01/15/2026
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info_outlineSabrina Pace-Humphreys is back on the Tough Girl Podcast for her third appearance, sharing her incredible journey as a runner, coach, and advocate for representation in trail running. From being a mum of four and grandmother of three, to taking on some of the toughest ultramarathons in the world, Sabrina’s story is one of resilience, community, and the relentless pursuit of goals.
In this episode, Sabrina reflects on her time at the UTMB, the challenges of race preparation, and the lessons learned when things don’t go to plan. She also shares updates on her work with Black Trail Runners, supporting women and runners of the global majority, and gives a sneak peek into her new book, Start Where You Are: The Beginner’s 5k Running Guide for Women.
Whether you’re chasing your first 5k, dreaming of ultra distances, or passionate about creating inclusive running communities, Sabrina’s insights, advice, and personal stories will inspire you to lace up and claim your mantle as a runner.
Listen to past episodes with Sabrina on the Tough Girl Podcast
July 7th 2020 - Sabrina Pace-Humpreys - Ultra runner, going from Anxiety to Accomplishment - Running the MDS
August 30th - 2022 - Sabrina Pace-Humphreys - Co-founder of Black Trail Runners and running Britain’s most brutal race
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Show notes
- Who is Sabrina Pace-Humphreys
- Run coach, personal trainer and community builder
- Advocate for representation in running
- Mum of 4, grandmother of 3
- 3rd time on the Tough Girl Podcast!
- Speaking with Sabrina on August 30th 2022
- The final things we talked about - Back to the Trails, creating a vision board, wanting to participate in the UTMB race and wanting to write a 2nd book about running
- What’s happened over the past few years
- 2023 Survivor!
- Not being able to hide being a hype woman!
- Why you will either love it or hate it
- Being voted out in the 2nd week
- Why it was such a bizarre experience seeing herself
- Having an episode of poor mental health after the show and feeling out of control
- Using her voice to motivate a team
- Coming out of the low moments and the connection to running, community and friendships
- Her go to tools
- Update on Black Trail Runners
- Running social runs with students of the global majority
- Creating a sustainable charity and model
- HERE FOR THE WOMEN'S RACE
- Being involved in a steering committee to get more women in the trail running space
- Creating the black and gold t-shirt - “Here for the women’s race”
- Her journey to the UTMB
- Running stones and collecting them
- UK race - Arc of Attrition and Ultra Trail Snowdonia
- Applying via the ballot
- The planning and preparation for UTMB
- B and C races, planning weekends in Snowdonia and France
- Using an altitude chamber for training
- Booking accommodation for the UTMB a year in advance
- Financial access to races
- £15,000 for races, accommodations, travel costs, gear, supplements etc
- August on the start line of the UTMB
- Working on a film to be released next year
- Not wanting to let anyone down
- Not liking the pre-race faff
- Why it was different to what she thought it would be
- The brutal conditions and being timed out
- Tweaking her calf the week before
- The weather challenges and the impact on the racers
- Not being able to get out of the slump
- How the race made her question everything
- Being supported by her husband and friends
- Battling cutoffs
- Not having it in her and the end of the race
- Working on her running book!
- New Book: Start Where You Are: The Beginner’s 5k Running Guide for Women
- How you can connect with Sabrina
- Final words of advice and wisdom
- You can do hard things
- Claiming the mantle - I am a runner
Social Media
Website: www.
Instagram: @sabrunsmiles
New book: Start Where You Are: The Beginner’s 5k Running Guide for Women