This week we’re joined by Esmée Gummer, endurance athlete, fitness coach, and the force behind one of the most ambitious running challenges in the UK right now.

After being told she’d never walk again following a life-changing accident, Esmée has rebuilt her life through movement.

Now, she’s taking things to an entirely new level with the Nation’s 5k - a 99-day challenge which includes hosting a 5k in every city in the UK (plus one in Dublin) and also running in between all the locations.

Starting in Inverness, the UK’s northernmost city, she’ll run south, across, and around the nation before finishing in London, clocking up 5,000km.

But this challenge isn’t about distance, it’s about impact and getting 1 million people moving, whether running, jogging, walking or wheeling.

Expect to hear:

• The story behind the Nation’s 5K and how it all came together
• What 5,000km really looks and feels like, both physically and mentally
• Her journey from paralysis to taking on ultra-endurance challenges
• The power of community through The Say Yes Club
• Why accessibility in running matters more than ever
• What it means to be a woman taking on extreme endurance in the spotlight

Esmée is full of gratitude and passion, and this episode is going to inspire you no end.

Follow Esmée on Instagram @esmee_ldn and YouTube for more details about the Nation’s 5k.

The Nation's 5k challenge runs from 27 June to 3 October 2026 and to join any of the free 5K events, sign up via realbuzz

You can also support Esmée's fundraising efforts via her GoFundMe page and vote for additional charity partners via the realbuzz The Nation's 5k website page too.

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Thanks to Tune Tank for the tunes