Toni McCann’s Smiles from the Summit: Lessons in Life and Running

The Trail Chasers

What does it take to conquer the world's most iconic 100km trail race, the UTMB CCC, on your very first attempt?
In this inspiring, heartfelt and honest episode of the Trail Chasers we welcome the newly crowned UTMB CCC Champion and South African trail running legend Toni McCann into the studio.

Join us as we chase the trails with Toni from her recent win and experience all the way back to her cross-country days in grade 7 and her rediscovery of trail running while leading a sedentary life in university and her remarkable journey to the top of our sport and the lessons learnt along the way.

Toni offers us a glimpse into her personal background, her love for home comforts, and her humorous and embarrassing moments on the trails.Toni’s stories will make you laugh and empathise as she takes us through injuries, training, moving to France and the pitfalls of self-coaching in an open and very candid way.

Giving us a 1st hand account of her recent win at CCC Toni sheds light on the emotional and mental toll of preparing for and completing such a significant event, and the overwhelming yet rewarding nature of post-race support.

In this episode, we explore the intense mental and physical challenges faced during ultra-distance races. Toni candidly discusses the psychological struggle of tackling a 100K race and the unexpected physical pain that came much sooner than anticipated. We also cover the vital role of spectators and personal crews in ultra racing, emphasising the importance of clear communication and pre-race planning to ensure effective support.

Listen in as we touch on managing emotions to conserve energy, the sacred nature of aid stations, and the extraordinary experience of crossing the finish line at the UTMB race amidst cheering crowds and a strong presence of South African supporters.

Finally, we delve into the motivations, training, and coaching aspects of ultrarunning. Toni recounts her decision to step up from OCC to CCC, her struggles with motivation and training consistency, and the crucial role her coach, Tom Evans, played in providing structure and accountability. We discuss the journey of self-coaching versus having a coach, the transition to living in France for specific training, and the evolution of Toni’s running career and sponsorship.

Tune in for invaluable advice for those new to trail running, the importance of simplicity and consistency, and the pure joy of being out in nature or just to hear the story of a remarkable athlete and a genuinely kindhearted person.