Shows
Culture Study PodcastDoes Running Culture Suck?Why does every person who runs marathon want to convince you that you too could run one? What makes running clubs so intimidating? When people get into running, why can’t they shut the hell up about it? I’ve asked avowed non-marathoner Raziq Rauf, author of the newsletter Running Sucks, to help address all of your running culture related questions. Yes, we’re both runners; but we’re also both runners who are very willing to admit that running does often suck — and also willing to interrogate the cultures (of performance, of optimization) that percolate around it. (Plus: why academ...2025-03-2650 min
Everyday Athlete Podcast NetworkRunning, Culture & Tacos: A Hilarious Chat with Raz from Running Sucks 101 | Fiery Embers PodcastIn this episode of Fiery Embers, Jason Bahamundi welcomes the one and only Raziq Rauf, the mastermind behind Running Sucks 101, for an entertaining and insightful conversation that proves endurance sports aren’t just about pace and miles—they’re about culture, food, and fun!From the start, Jason and Raz dive into the cultural impact of writing about running, emphasizing inclusivity and storytelling over the traditional "run faster" narrative. Raz shares his experiences in the running community, exploring how diverse perspectives can help reshape the sport and make it more accessible.Of course, what’s a Fiery Embers episode without...2025-02-2225 min
Nowhere FastEpisode 138. Raziq Rauf.A Conversation with Raziq Rauf, of Running Sucks.Raz writes the Running Sucks Newsletter, he’s also a Marathoner, and a former Music-Journalist, among many other things.In this episode we discuss: curse words, writing frequency, Kerrang Magazine, signing up for a marathon to get out of a night of drinking, the commercialization of run clubs, fast-food Strava challenges, MothTech drama, being a Brooks loyalist, thespeedproject™, searching for humanity, Megadeth, you can find out a lot about somebody by their favourite sandwich, and blogging.www.nowherefaststudio.com This is a publ...2025-01-131h 15
Community Trail RunningEp. 128 The 2024 Holiday Special.“I was still in the porta potty when the gun went off.” - Jacob PuzeyMerry Christmas and happy holidays my friends. It’s an exciting day around here, and it’s time for our holiday special episode. The holiday special is when former guests share their funny trail running stories with all of us, and it’s something I greatly appreciate they take the time to do! This year is a set of fantastic stories that I know you will all enjoy and probably relate to. We have the following awesome people sharing with us:...2024-12-2625 min
For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind RunningHow to Run For Joy and Not Ego with Writer Raz Rauf of Running SucksRaz says that running sucks, but we should do it anyway.
Raziq Rauf is an NCTJ-trained journalist (writer) and USATF-certified running coach (runner).
Raz interviews interesting people from the running world, and writes about their impact on running culture and the people around them in his weekly newsletter, Running Sucks.
Listen to hear about:
Solo running and how it mirrors Raz’s solo writing life
The benefits of run clubs and how to get it right
Why Raz lied to his friends about tra...2024-12-1348 min
Running TalesRaziq Rauf: Proving 'Running Sucks' one amazing story at a timeRaziq Rauf is the man behind the increasingly popular 'Running Sucks' Substack, a tongue-in-cheek title for a newsletter that looks at the stories of people doing interesting things to further running culture.
Raz's newsletter has covered subjects as varied as homelessness, racism, body shaming and alcoholism - all from the prospective of those in the running world.
It aims to tell stories that go beyond people's favourite trainers or their marathon training plans. The result is a fascinating and occasionally raw dive into why running sucks and how, ultimately, it is a force for good.
Raz's own running journey began...2024-01-2326 min
Park DateE36 Can we save LA's Monarch butterfly (and spot Ben Affleck)? With Raziq RaufLocation: Beverly Hills ParkLA, USAGuest: Raziq Rauf (and his son!)It's time for another new episode of Park DatePlease welcome my friend and brilliant music journalist and now running writer Mr Raziq Rauf (and his son Alexander!)We messed about outside Beverly Hills Police HQ recreating shots from Beverly Hills Cop then hung out in Beverly Hills Park to talk about Raz's mission to save the butterflies of LA and stalking Ben Affleck on the TMZ tour. Alex lost some colouring pencils along...2023-11-0735 min
Community Trail RunningEp. 60 Running Sucks. With Raziq Rauf“A huge part of the newsletter is me finding interesting stories in the running world and, talking to them, and seeing what's up, and getting insights from them because there's some super interesting people in the running world.”Raziq Rauf has fun with his writing. It’s clear from the name of his publication “Running Sucks”, but it’s also clear in the way he covers the sport. His writing is fun, but it also resonates. He finds great subjects and the joy he has telling their story comes through in his writing in a wonderful wa...2023-11-0615 min