🏃 RunLetters #12

How marathons make money, comedy on the trails, a Runna review, and a race for the whole family along the Jurassic Coast 🦕

July 25, 2025

‘Ello hello runner, and happy FRIDAY! 🙌 Whether you’ve got a running-packed weekend ahead or some proper rest days, this edition of RunLetters will leave your feet itching to hit the pavement or trails 🏃

Without further ado, let’s dive in ⤵️

📹 Watchlist: How Do Marathons Make Money?

Every year, (half) marathons seem to get more expensive. And people complain about it. A lot. And don’t get time wrong, I get it! Nobody likes spending more 🥲

But… many (half) marathons have also become a lot more popular — meaning more people want to participate. And more people means more logistics: more staff, more security, more porta-potties, more food and drinks at aid stations, more medals, more transport, and so forth. Oh, and did I already mention inflation?

So is it really that strange that your bib has increased in price?

Probably not. In the video below from Morning Brew, we follow Macy as she trains for and takes on the NYC Marathon, while also diving deep into how the marathon is organized and financed. The NYC Marathon is certainly one of the biggest, and obviously a bigger undertaking than many other races, but many of the factors are the same. So this is why that (half) marathon is a bit more costly now than a few years ago.

📲 Social Spotlight: All Run and Games — Comedy on the Trails

Mix comedy with running and you’ve got All Run and Games: a Swede, a Brit, and their lab 🐶

I came across this account on Instagram recently, and they cracked me up. A good reminder to not take running too seriously (at least not all the time) and to just have fun. I hope you’ll enjoy their content as much as I do.

Here are some of my favourites:

And one to finish it off with:

🗓 Events & Races: Scenic Coastal Challenge For The Whole Fam 🦕 (The Perfect First Ultra?)

Imagine running along the dramatic cliffs, rock arches like Durdle Door, fossil-rich beaches, and hidden coves in southern England.

That’s the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge for you. But don’t be scared by the word Ultra — this event has a distance for everyone. And I’ll say, as someone currently training for her first ultra later this year, this seems like a very welcoming and fun event. A perfect “first ultra” option, too.

Available distances:

As you can see here, there are lots of distances you can walk, jog, or run during this race.

It seems to be a very family-friendly event, with plenty of amenities included in your race entry. One of my personal favorite things? ⤵️

“We pride ourselves on the quantity & quality of our catering, and whichever distance you are on – meals, snacks & drinks are included – so no need to carry much!”

Planning to run fast? Want to really challenge yourself? Then their new Trailblazerz category could be for you. Deets below.

All in all, I recommend checking out the website for yourself. The scenery looks gorgeous, the entry price isn’t bad at all (especially if you decide to run for charity), and the atmosphere of this race looks great — not too crazy, not too competitive. The elevation on the 100k is 2,300 m, which is pretty mild compared to many other 100k ultras out there.

Besides all that, this seems like a fantastic event for the whole family. That’s your holiday for next year sorted. You’re welcome!

🎽 Gear & Gadgets: Runna, A New PB or New Injury?

If you’re planning to race, a structured training plan can help take the guesswork out of your workouts. It keeps things varied and helps you improve steadily.

If your budget allows, I recommend hiring a real coach—they can guide you on more than just running, like nutrition and technique.

But if coaching isn’t in the cards, an app might be the next best thing. I’ve been using Runna since February 2024, after trying Nike Run Club’s free half marathon plan (which I highly recommend for beginners). Since then, I’ve shaved off 8.5 minutes from my half marathon time.

There are plenty of pros and some cons to Runna. I’ve outlined them all in my review video below.

The TL:DR ⤵️

  • Easy to follow training plans

  • Varied workouts that keep running fun

  • Good integration with running watches, so you can easily follow your workout on your watch (seeing distance, pace, laps, etc.)

  • In-app support system with coaches to answer your questions

  • Lots of customization options. They’ve improved this a lot. You may have heard people complain that the app pushes them too hard, but plans are much more adjustable now so you can dial it back if you prefer

  • A great training tool if you listen to your own body and mind. The app won’t know how you slept or what you ate, so be your own best coach and use Runna as a tool, not a replacement!

✨ Wild Card: What If This Were Your Run Club?

A fun, lighthearted video to end this week’s RunLetters with. Because if anything makes you smile today (besides negative splits, a sunny run, or a new weekly record), then let it be this post.

It’s so damn cute.

🏁 The Finish Line

Cheeeeckkkk!!! Go grab some crisps, an ice-cold drink (don’t skip the electrolytes), and get your medal, you finished another edition of RunLetters.

What was your favourite part? Let me know by hitting reply! It helps me understand what to give you more of.

Have a good (run this) weekend! ☀️

Caroline

P.S. The Runna review video is the 4th video on my YT channel. Still a very small channel —so if you’re one of my subscribers, you’re my hero. Thank you!