“Been there, run that.” — Jeff Harrell, host of the Big Ass Runner Trail Running Podcast
While the popularity of trail running podcasts is still at an all-time high since the great “podcast renaissance” following the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, there are podcasts near and dear to trail runners’ hearts (and asses) that are no longer with us. The Big Ass Runner Trail Running Podcast, founded in August 2020 by self-described “Clydesdale runner” Jeff Harrell and Steven Pritt based in McKinney, Texas (north of Dallas) was one such podcast. It reached over 211,000 streams in 140 countries (even including Latvia!). In the podcast’s 191 episodes, it ranked in Spotify’s top 25 overall running podcasts. To the dismay of trail running fans around the world, The Big Ass Runner came to an end in April 2024.
Big ass Clydesdale beginnings
The Big Ass Runner was born out of conversations on the run between two friends Jeff Harrell and Steven Pritt (a.ka. El Jefe). Both came from content marketing backgrounds and shared ideas about hosting a running-related podcast that would be structured similarly to radio talk show programs, with episodes organized in two parts that included an intro, bridge, and outro. Seeking connection with the running community during the first few months of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Harrell and Pritt decided it was time to make their podcast dream a reality. In June 2020, they launched the Big Ass Runner Instagram account to build excitement around the podcast, which released its first episode two months later in August 2020.
The name for the podcast is tied to a major theme explored throughout all of the episodes—a “big ass” enthusiasm for trail running. Harrell, a tall, large-framed basketball player, turned to long-distance running in the early 2000s when he was convinced by his running friends to train with them for the Dallas White Rock Marathon. Written on Harrell’s racing bib was “Clydesdale division,” to which he immediately thought, “Clydesdale? That’s a big ass horse, I must be a big ass runner!”.
Harrell comments further on the name of the podcast, clarifying that it has come to mean more than just being the biggest horse or biggest runner in the race, “Saying I’m a big ass runner means that you’re a big enthusiast for the sport of trail and ultrarunning. We’re a herd of bigger, smaller, faster, or slower people. We’re the everyday runner.”
For the everyday runner
“Hi, this is James and I’m a big ass runner from Ohio, where I like to jump over roots and run from danger noodles in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Welcome to The Big Ass Runner Podcast where we entertain and encourage trail runners from all over the world. Now here’s your fantastic host and Clydsdale, Jeff Harrell.” —Episode 178 intro shared from The Big Ass Runner Herd
The Big Ass Runner was unique in the way it steered away from elite athlete interviews common in the majority of podcasts. While it’s fun to listen to the superhuman achievements of elite runners, their stories often lacked a relatability to the “everyday runner,” a.k.a. The Big Ass Runner.
The intro to each episode on the podcast, such as the one above, was just one example of how the podcast sought ways to connect with everyday runners by including voices from the “herd” of listeners at the beginning of each episode. Intros were chosen from anyone who reached out on The Big Ass Runner Instagram, where hosts Harrell and Pritt quickly found an enthusiastic crowd of followers. The podcast was true to its mission statement, “Whether you’re on a 5K a day streak, training for a race, or even exploring the idea of trail running, we are here to celebrate you and the amazing community and culture of trail running.”
Harrell hosted a variety of people on the show, with a large portion from Texas or the midwest, two areas that don’t immediately come to mind as trail running destinations but do in fact have strong communities for the sport (read about a unique type of trail racing, Trail Golf, that debuted in the midwest in June 2024 here). Self-described couch potatoes turned into 100-mile race finishers, athletes from other sports such as rowing, CrossFit, wrestling, or basketball, as well as a variety of ages and body types, made up the “herd” featured on The Big Ass Runner podcast episodes.
One episode of the podcast that I thoroughly enjoyed was an early episode where Harell tries to convince his friend Marcie (a rower, not a runner) to avoid using the “S” word (stupid) about running. He comically quizzes her on common running vocabulary, such as the term ‘fartlek,’ which resulted in a hilariously embarrassing story from her childhood that involved a fart in the face—far from the actual definition of fartlek but to any non-runner, is likely not too far off of a guess when fartlek does have the word ‘fart’ in it!
Funny but sincere
Humor was a central part of the Big Ass Runner script in any episode. Classic segments such as “Funny Running Club Names” included some knee-slapping names such as Legs Misérables, Cirque du Sore Legs, and Between Walk and a Hard Pace. Other segments highlighted Harrell and Pritts’s “everyday” humor that made episodes more personable and less running-focused than other running podcasts. The hosts commented on everyday things, such as the overwhelming presence of pumpkin spice every fall season and why Pringles are the most underrated potato chip. They even included a music knowledge segment known as “Timmy Time.”
But the Big Ass Runner wasn’t all about cracking jokes. It was also about exploring the paincave and highlighting the extraordinary accomplishments of ordinary runners that would never otherwise hit the mainstream media. The way in which the hosts encouraged questions about why runners push their limits or advised how to overcome feelings of imposter syndrome took episodes in deeper directions than most athlete interviews, which also complemented their more comedic segments.
In Episode 178, Harrell shared about a death in his extended family, to which listeners wrote directly to the podcast in support of Harrell and his family. Harrell says about his decision to focus this episode on this tough moment in his life and how the herd has assisted him through tragedy, “When you go through something like this, you see your people rally around you. I am so grateful for all those from the herd who reached out, and I hope that sharing my story of loss will connect with people in meaningful ways.”
Aside from the humor and deeper human conversations, the podcast was also a resource (and still is) for anyone seeking to gain useful insights on training, gear, nutrition tips, or general first-time trail running advice. In segments such as “New Ass Gear” or “Cheap Ass Gear,” basic ultra/trail running products were reviewed for everyday runners. The hosts were also able to provide ‘on-the-ground’ commentary at several races, including Bandera 100K, Black Canyon 100K, and Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, sharing perspectives of what it’s like to be at major trail races while relating to both the everyday and elite runner experiences.
Harrell’s deep appreciation for ultrarunning legend Courtney Dauwalter was also expressed in many episodes, encouraging beginners to find ways to practice emulating certain strategies, outlooks, and features of top athletes. To find middle ground between elites and the herd of everyday runners can be difficult, but Harrell managed to explore these connections in meaningful ways and empower his listeners with practices that were being effectively used by elites, but approachable for average runners.
Start, stop, continue
One segment I’ll never forget from the podcast was “Start, Stop, Continue.” This segment exemplified the podcast’s deeper questioning, asking the audience to consider what they’d like to start, stop, and continue in their lives. After the podcast released its final episode in April 2024, I thought about what better questions to ask Harrell in our interview than to have him provide his own answers to Start, Stop, Continue. He enthusiastically agreed:
Start:
“I left corporate America, and I’m starting a new career in real estate, which gives me a chance to serve people in a new way. I’m getting to serve people differently than I did with The Big Ass Runner podcast, but so far, it’s equally as meaningful. I want to start this new career in a way that’s more about how many lives I can positively impact, not how much money I can make or how many houses I can sell.”
Stop:
“There’s a long list! I’m in a season of life as a grandpa, father, friend, and so many other roles that I want to be the best I can be at. I want to stop doing the things that cause me to lose focus and sight of these relationships. I want to stop mindlessly scrolling Instagram feeds or watching garbage TV, or more generally to stop doing things that aren’t adding value to my life or the lives of others.”
Continue:
“One thing that’s cool about The Big Ass Runner podcast is that I can now go to any town, and I know someone through the podcast that I can go for a run with or grab a beer or coffee with. This relationship building I started with the podcast is something I also want to continue through my new real estate career. I want to be more than a real estate agent to people; I want to be a friend.”
From around the herd
“It’s the end of an era, and I wish you all the best in what life brings you next. To the herd, keep putting your left foot and right foot in front of each other, and I hope to see you all out on the trails!”
“Your podcast set the tone for the week and made me smile. I really wanted to let you know that you and the rest of the crew had a positive impact on my life. It has carried over from my first trail race, and all those stories you shared about other first-time trail runners really inspired me. My son and nephew have run ultras, and it’s become a family legacy. You had a big impact on my life and the lives of my family.”
“As The Big Ass Runner draws to an end, I can’t help but feel gratitude towards Jeff and Steven for sending that first episode into the universe. Thank you for inspiring road runners like myself to get out on the trail and for nurturing an inclusive community.”
The above quotes are excerpts from video recordings sent by listeners to the last episode of the Big Ass Runner Podcast, “Reaching the Finish Line (feat. the Herd)” which were played during the episode. These heartfelt (and ass-felt) sentiments shared much gratitude and love for this absolute gem of running content known as the Big Ass Runner Trail Running Podcast. Harrell shares his thanks to all of his listeners, “All I can say is wow. The opportunity to share this with you and speak into your ears while running, or however you listen, has been one of the biggest honors of my life.”
While the podcast may be concluded, the inspiration it started and its celebration of the sport will not soon be forgotten.
I already find myself relistening to the podcast, discovering an episode or two I missed along the way, or returning to the classics I continue to find joy in.
Want to listen to more podcasts? Check out our podcast directory below:
https://trailrunner.com/trail-news/trail-running-podcast-directory/
Specifically interested in podcasts for the “everyday runner” like The Big Ass Runner Trail Running Podcast? You might like Chasing Cutoffs or The Ultrarunning Guys.
[All photos in this article have been generously provided by Jeff Harrell.]
