In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Wayne Hunter to explore his life, career, and remarkable transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a background in engineering, Wayne came to Japan at the age of 23 and has since spent most of his 37 years in the country working in private membership club management. He is married with two daughters and has had the unique experience of living in a four-generation household with his in-laws in Chiba.

Wayne’s running journey began as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At his heaviest, Wayne weighed 185kg, and after witnessing deaths within his work circle, he made the decision to change his life. Over an 18-month period starting in the summer of 2020, Wayne lost an extraordinary 54% of his body weight — around 100 kilograms.

He initially took up rowing, training for hours a day at his home, which he credits as the foundation of his weight loss. He later transitioned into running, taking part in road races but finding his true passion on the trails. In this episode, Wayne shares his journey into running, his training, and his experience tackling the Nagawa Trail.

Whether you're looking for motivation, perspective, or simply a powerful human story, this episode delivers on all fronts.

Links:

Centennial — by James A. Michener

Nagawa Trail

COVID-19

Breaking Bad

Tokyo American Club Japan

Shōgun- by James Clavell

The Godfather

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Thanks so much for tuning in!
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch.

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In this episode, Kiyoshi a Tokyo-based running community organizer and avid runner, discusses his journey with running, the famous Hakone Ekiden relay race, and his involvement in the Doyou (土曜） Club, an open learning and running community. Kiyoshi shares insights into the cultural significance of the Ekiden race in Japan, its impact on university students, and how it fosters community spirit. He also touches on his own experiences, struggles, and the importance of running in his life. This episode is a deep dive into how running and learning intertwine to build connections and personal growth.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Casual Conversation
01:19 Meet Kiyoshi: The Learning Enthusiast
02:52 Kiyoshi's Running Journey
03:24 The Birth of a Video Producer
04:33 Language Exchange and Friendship
06:11 Exploring the Japanese Ekiden
07:59 Hakone Ekiden: The Ultimate Relay Race
14:14 The Significance of Hakone Ekiden
16:06 Comparing Global Running Events
18:01 Cheering and Strategy in Hakone Ekiden
23:56 Advertising and Marketing in Ekiden
24:27 Nike Vaporfly and Shoe Technology
26:31 Comparing Marathon Runners
29:35 University Teams and Qualifications
32:43 Ekiden in Japanese Schools
38:14 Book Recommendations
39:53 Movie and TV Series Recommendations
44:23 Closing Remarks and Appreciation

Support the show

Thanks so much for tuning in!
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch.

Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout.

Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!

In this episode, I chat with Terence Vrugtman — ultrarunner, photographer, and Race Director of the Karkloof Trail Series.
We dig into what makes Karkloof such a standout event in South Africa’s trail running calendar, and Terence gives us a first look at the 2026 course: the terrain, the challenges, and how the route continues to evolve.

We also talk about the realities of race directing, what it takes to build a welcoming and sustainable trail community.

Whether you're planning to run Karkloof, curious about race organisation, or just love trail stories, you’ll enjoy this one.

Guest Links

Karkloof Trail Run: https://www.karklooftrailrun.co.za
Terence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terencevrugtman

Support the show

Thanks so much for tuning in!
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow us on Instagram @therunningvoyager we’d love to share your story next. You can DM us or send an email to linda@therunningvoyager.com to get in touch.

Your support keeps this show going! If you’d like to help us grow, you can become a supporter on Patreon - every contribution goes directly towards hosting and production costs on Buzzsprout.

Thanks again for listening, and see you in the next episode!