What happens when you bring one of the most recognisable voices in ultra running to a small Welsh town? You get a full house, plenty of laughter and an evening packed with stories that stay with the trail running community long after the conversation has drawn to a close.

On Wednesday 18th March, U-Xplore hosted A NNormal Evening with Damian Hall in the grand ballroom of the Angel Hotel in Abergavenny, South Wales. In partnership with NNormal UK, the event brought together runners, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts from across the region for a live interview with one of the sport’s most respected and relatable figures. The result was a sell-out crowd and an atmosphere that felt equal parts inspiring and refreshingly down to earth.

As Damian stepped onto the stage, he immediately set the tone, joking that some people might have been expecting Damon Hill instead. It was a perfect ice breaker and a reminder of what makes him so popular. Despite his achievements at the very highest level of endurance running, he remains approachable, self-aware and very funny.

Damian Hall, often known as UltraDamo, is far more than just an ultra marathon runner. He is a running coach, author, father, environmental advocate and a NNormal athlete. Over the years he has taken on some of the world’s toughest endurance challenges, building a reputation not only for his performances but also for his thoughtful and honest reflections on the sport.

Alongside his running, Damian writes regularly for Runner’s World and is known for his environmental advocacy in sport, commitment to inclusivity in the outdoors and a famously strong appreciation for drinking tea.

Joining Damian on stage was Rhys Jenkins from Pegasus Ultra Running. Pegasus is a Welsh events company known for doing things differently. Their trail races focus on inclusivity and enjoyment, often removing cut off times and encouraging runners to embrace the process rather than chase pressure or results. Rhys brought a local perspective to the conversation and helped guide the evening through some of its most engaging moments.

A major highlight of the evening was Damian’s recent experience at the Barkley Marathons. Widely regarded as the most difficult endurance event in the world, the race takes place in Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee and has built a reputation for pushing elite athletes to their absolute limits.

Damian spoke openly about the challenge, sharing both the physical and mental realities of taking part. Among the stories was his now widely talked about barefoot lap moment which captured attention across the global running community. As Damian explained, taking on the Barkley barefoot would have been a bold move even by his standards. Instead, he simply removed his NNormal Kjerag shoes at the start of a lap to cross a river, keeping them dry to avoid blistering later.

What stood out most was not just the scale of the challenge but the way Damian described it, with honesty, self-deprecating humour and a sense of perspective that made even the most extreme moments feel relatable… sort of. He summed it up perfectly, calling the Barkley Marathons “so much ouchy fun”, a phrase that captures something true about why people are drawn to extreme trail running.

The conversation then turned to one of Damian’s most ambitious projects, his 3-in-1 solo challenge. This involved attempting to complete three of the UK’s most iconic mountain rounds back-to-back: The Bob Graham Round in the Lake District, the Charlie Ramsay Round in Scotland and the Paddy Buckley Round in Eryri (Snowdonia).

Each of these routes is a serious mountain running undertaking in its own right, covering significant distance and elevation across some of the most demanding terrain in the UK. What made Damian’s challenge even more remarkable was his decision to connect them using public transport, turning it into a sustainable adventure rather than three separate efforts.

As he talked through the logistics, the highs, and the inevitable lows, the audience began to grasp what it truly takes to commit to long-distance endurance. It was not just a story of stamina, but of patience, careful planning, and the courage to embrace uncertainty.

Looking ahead, Damian shared details about his upcoming book Run Forever: The secrets to becoming an ageless athlete, due for release on 9th April. The book explores longevity in running and what it means to keep moving well into later life, focusing on sustainable performance rather than short-term gains.

This part of the conversation resonated strongly with the audience. While not everyone in the room was aiming for extreme ultras, many connected with the idea of building a healthy relationship with running. Damian spoke about ultra running nutrition, enjoyment, and listening to your body, offering insights that felt accessible to everyone, regardless of experience level.

There was also a natural link to the ethos behind NNormal, a brand founded by Kilian Jornet. Shaped by a focus on durability and simplicity in mountain gear, these values came through clearly in both the conversation and the products on show during the evening.

At its core, the evening was about more than just remarkable achievements; it was about making ultra running accessible to more people. While running is often described as a simple sport, the cost of mandatory race kit, entries, and travel can quickly become a barrier.

Damian is a co-founder of Into Ultra, a UK running charity that works to improve access and diversity in trail running for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. All profits from the event will be donated to support Into Ultra, giving the evening a clear purpose beyond the stories.

Alongside the interview, attendees also had the opportunity to see the new NNormal Cadí trail shoe up close. As the exclusive NNormal stockist in South Wales, U-Xplore was proud to showcase this latest addition to the range.

Designed for long-distance trail running and varied terrain, the NNormal Cadí felt like a natural fit for the themes of the evening. It represented the idea of going further and exploring more in a way that is considered and sustainable - values that sit perfectly with the U-Xplore community.

By the end of the evening, what stood out most was Damian’s genuine passion for the trails. For a small town like ours, it was a significant moment: a packed room, a powerful story, and a shared sense of connection through outdoor adventure.

Events like this are what U-Xplore is all about. Bringing people together, creating space for inspiration, and reminding us all that extraordinary experiences often begin with something very simple: stepping outside and seeing where the trail leads.