‘elloooo runner! Hope you’ve had an EPIC week so far. In today’s edition of RunLetters, we go from the road to trails and back. Have a scroll, read what piques your interest, and feel inspired to lace up your shoes.

Let’s get started ⤵️

This week’s pick is a short YouTube film called “The Next Chapter.” It follows Desiree “Des” Linden, a professional marathon runner, as she prepares for her final Boston Marathon in 2025.

Even if you’ve never heard of her, it’s worth watching. The video is fast-paced, easy to follow, and really well put together. The storytelling is strong, the emotions are real, and it gives a close look at the work, pressure, and doubt that come with being a professional athlete.

Des has spent nearly twenty years chasing finish lines. The film looks back at her long history with Boston, from her debut in 2007 to her second-place finish in 2011 and her unforgettable 2018 win (the first one in 33 years for American women).

Her final Boston wasn’t meant as a goodbye jog. She wanted to compete, to run hard, to finish strong. And from 11:30 onward, the video gives you chills as the Boston crowd absolutely erupts for her, screaming its lungs out as she charges toward the finish.

And what’s next for Des? Well…. let’s say it’s a bit more “natural”? 😉🌲

Jess Calam started running during COVID, and quickly became a fast and strong runner. But over the last 9 months, she became known as “the pregnant runner”. When I asked her how she felt running while pregnant, she told me: “It felt great to move, right up until the very last day. I think continuing to run throughout my whole pregnancy was the best thing that I did for myself and my own mental health.”.

Her content over the last months showed how she kept running throughout her pregnancy. She demonstrated how running while being pregnant is absolutely possible and can be done safely. As she says: “You can continue to move and strength train whilst pregnant, and you shouldn’t be scared to do so.”

But… she’s no longer the pregnant runner, because baby girl is here!

Follow along Britain’s oldest path during the Race to the Stones 2026, a 100 km ultra (with a 50km option too) on The Ridgeway, one of the UK’s most historic and scenic trails.

The Ridgeway is a national trail that has been used for more than 5,000 years. It links ancient hillforts, chalk ridges, and stretches of open countryside.

The route is both beautiful and runnable, with only about 1,350 m of elevation across the full 100 km. That makes the Race to the Stones a great choice for first-time ultra runners or anyone chasing a faster time.

It also has generous cut-off times, well-stocked aid stations, and is very reasonably priced compared to many other (UK) ultras, especially considering all that’s included.

It finishes at Avebury Standing Stones, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s largest prehistoric stone circles. It’s a finish line worth the effort.

You can run the full 100 km in one day, split it over two days, or take on the 50 km option if you want something shorter.

📍 Where: The Ridgeway, Southern England
📅 When: July 11–12, 2026
🎯 Distances: 100 km (one day or two), or 50 km

I’m trying to get a discount code for the RunLetters Run Club… Stay tuned!

I bought the Peregrine 14 as my first trail shoe and I didn’t love it. It felt too firm and left me with tight calves.

The Peregrine 15 is a clear improvement. On my first run I could feel the difference: the updated foam is more comfortable (especially under the midfoot) and the ride is smoother. This also makes it a much nicer shoe when you sometimes need to run a bit of road to/in between trails (which is often the case). Many trail shoes can feel terrible on anything but trail. This updated Peregrine works well!

The 4.7 mm lugs give excellent grip on wet or dry trails (as I tested last weekend in Madeira during the Ultra X!). The protection in the toe box and the rock plate keep your feet safe, and the stability around the heel gives you confidence on uneven terrain.

And, important and often preferred by many runners, the shoe isn’t overly stiff: it’s quite flexible for a trail shoe without losing that “ground feel” (feeling the terrain under you).

A few things to note: the toe box is on the narrower side, so if your feet are wide, you might prefer a different model. But overall, this version balances comfort, protection, and versatility (much better than the v14).

This one’s a bit older, but if you haven’t seen it yet, I think it’s worth a watch. It’s a video from the famous YouTuber Casey Neistat (if you are a creative or a content creator yourself, you’ll know who he is) about his journey to hitting his marathon goal.

I won’t spoil more. If you’re craving 12 minutes of pure running joy (in the typical “Casey Neistat” style, which is very different from your typical “runfluencer” videos), then give it a watch!

You made it to the finish line yet again! And if you are new here, WELCOME to the finish line! This is where I give you a virtual medal and… often a little peek-behind-the-RunLetters-curtains.

Last weekend (Sunday!) I ran the Ultra X 50k in Madeira and got 2nd place female (4th overall). Still can’t quite believe that happened. You can see the whole adventure from my POV right here!

Here’s to a great weekend ahead ☀️

Caroline