Join the fun and join the run with guests ranging from professional athletes like Courtney Atkinson to casual joggers with a passion for plogging. Join Erin Azar, aka Mrs. Space Cadet, and Ayo Akinwolere, the world-record breaking swimmer – they'll explore the reasons why people run as we approach one of the world’s biggest running events: the Wings for Life World Run 2022. Want to run? Join the Why I Run Podcast team at https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/whyirunteam

Writer Helen Mort and triathlete Courtney Atkinson talk with hosts Erin Azar and Ayo Akinwolere about what running means to them. Helen Mort is a renowned poet and novelist – she discusses how running can scratch the creative itch. Professional Australian triathlete Courtney Atkinson dives in to share his thoughts on running. Could running be the creative outlet everyone should discover? Want to run? Join the Why I Run Podcast team at https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/whyirunteam

Wheelchair-user Sandile Mkhize and street dancer Angyil share their running experiences with hosts Erin Azar and Ayo Akinwolere. Sandile Mkhize, from South Africa, shares his story of entering the Wings for Life World Run to raise money for spinal cord injury research after a motorbike accident that paralysed him. Then, Angela ‘Angyil’ McNeal, winner of Red Bull Dance Your Style USA, discusses her prolific dance career. Want to run? Join the Why I Run Podcast team at https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/whyirunteam

Athlete Mario Rigby and racer Ida Mathilde Steensgaard talk with hosts Erin Azar and Ayo Akinwolere about where running has taken them. Mario Rigby is a former professional track and field athlete, turned adventurer and explorer. He completed an epic two-year-long walk across Africa, from Cape Town to Cairo. Ida Mathilde Steensgaard is a Danish environmental engineer and professional obstacle course racer. Together, they speak to Erin and Ayo and take us on a journey to discover how running gives them the joy of exploration and the thrill of adventure. Want to run? Join the Why I Run Podcast team at https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/whyirunteam

DJ Charlie Dark and ultrarunner Dylan Bowman join Erin Azar and Ayo Akinwolere to discuss their shared love of being part of a running community. Charlie Dark, DJ, poet and youth mentor, is the founder of Run Dem Crew, the London-based running collective. Erin and Ayo are also joined by Dylan Bowman, an ultrarunner, to discuss their experiences of running to feel connected as well as to keep fit. Want to run? Join the Why I Run Podcast Team on https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/whyirunteam

BMXer Matthias Dandois and runner Hellah Sidibe share their passion for running with hosts Erin Azar and Ayo Akinwolere. Matthias Dandois was crowned the world’s best BMX flatlander at the age of just 19, using running as his cardio exercise to keep his energy high during the flat runs. Hellah Sidibe has been running every day for the past five years, and is showing no sign of slowing down. They both caught the running bug, and they’re here to tell Ayo and Erin how they developed the habit. Want to run? Join the Why I Run Podcast team at https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/whyirunteam

Erin and Ayo speak to hobby runner Adolfo Salguiero and Estonian freestyle skier Kelly Sildaru about their running companions. Adolfo was inspired by his father as a child, who ran in Venezuela in the 70s, long before the trend of running evolved to what it is today – he was running marathons in tennis shoes! We’ll hear how their journey of running together has continued, even though his dad is now 84. Kelly joins the podcast to tell us about her regular running companion, a husky, who loves getting out on the trails as much as she does. Want to run? Join the Why I Run Podcast Team on https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/whyirunteam

Climber Sasha DiGiulian and runner Erik Ahlström join hosts Erin and Ayo to explore the connection between running and nature. Sasha is a world champion professional rock climber from the USA, while Erik is the Swedish creator of ‘plogging’ – running and picking up litter. Want to run? Join the Why I Run Podcast team at https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/whyirunteam

This week is all about putting the fun back into your run. Erin and Ayo speak to Wesley Butstraen. If you’ve ever encountered a big bearded man in a bright pink suit on a Wings for Life World Run, that’s Wesley, and it’s completely joy-inducing. We hear about how he started running for health reasons but found his mindset shifting as his running progressed. As the 2022 event draws nearer, Erin and Ayo also take some time to hear from a few listeners about why they run and discuss their own reasons for getting their shoes on and getting out there. Want to run? Join the Why I Run Podcast Team on https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/whyirunteam (wingsforlifeworldrun.com).

It’s our last episode before the Wings for Life World Run on Sunday May 8! Erin and Ayo sit down for a round-table chat with international sports director and record-breaking Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson, and wheelchair tennis superstar Nico Langmann, to hear about what that idea of ‘running for those who can’t’ means to them both and to share some of their most memorable running experiences. There’s still time to join the Why I Run Podcast Team on https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/whyirunteam

Erin and Ayo, along with over 161,892 participants from 192 nations at runs in 165 countries around the globe, were part of the ninth annual edition of the Wings for Life World Run this May and together they raised 4.7 million euros for spinal cord research. They’re taking a moment to chat with each other about their individual runs, and to hear from some of the Why I Run team about how they got on, including our team’s furthest runner who clocked up an impressive 26km! All news, results and reactions from the run can be found at www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com as well as info on how to register for 2023. The Why I Run podcast from Red Bull was hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and Erin Azar. Mixing was by Mark Pittam and Chris McLean. The assistant producer was Bukky Fadipe, the producer was Philippa Geering and the executive producer was Alex Hollands for Storyglass.