The Swift Half - Episode 255

This week, Alan and Ian dive into a packed episode covering everything from icy OCR battles to questionable beverage choices and the future of obstacle sports governance.

They swap stories about recent drink experiences — from Alan’s unfortunate BrewDog encounter to Ian’s bubble‑gum pop indulgence — and debate the folklore of “Coca‑Cola water” as a supposed health tonic.

The conversation turns to OCR with reflections on McTuff The Last Stand, including the community’s tribute to Alexander Thompson and the cancellation of the competitive wave. Alan previews an upcoming interview with Lindsay McKeown and Sancha Martin, while both hosts admit they may be done with winter OCRs after past brushes with hypothermia. They also celebrate Scottish OCR’s place among the UK OCR Awards’ top 10 shows.

From there, they break down the podcast awards results, the razor‑thin margins between nominees, and the kudos they received from across the pond. Race chatter continues with the Trigger Race, the ongoing Spine Race, and a concerning safety incident involving threats toward a participant.

This leads into a thoughtful discussion on free speech, safety, and the withdrawal of humanitarian runner Sarah, before the mood lifts with the story of a 17‑year‑old Australian who accidentally ran 50 km instead of 8. The hosts also touch on the Bristol Marathon and its trail‑based alternative.

Alan and Ian then explore the Bristol Trail Marathon, debating whether road runners are being set up for a shock and whether a trail half or metric marathon might have been a smarter option. They also chat about Jamie’s bargain‑bin Vaporflys and the idea of converting them for trail use.

The episode shifts to the world of HyROX, where the surprising Surf dating‑app partnership raises eyebrows. Ian previews the upcoming HyROX Coaching Summit in Twickenham, while Alan celebrates snagging a better hotel deal for the awards.

Ian shares his experience at Deadly Dozen, a unique fitness facility inside a former power station, complete with Jacob’s Ladder and industrial‑style training zones. The pair also touch on the National Running Show, Manchester High Rocks, and Alan’s tips for scoring free food through running challenges.

They wrap up with a look at the potential dissolution of FISO, what it could mean for UK obstacle sports, and whether UIPM might be the next step — acknowledging that more clarity and expert insight will be essential.

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