OpenTube

Why I Left The Running Channel

The Morning Coffee Run

117,514 views

I have tried to film this video eight times in the last 15 months.

This is the full story. Depression in 2015, a pair of battered Asics, and a name in the London Marathon ballot that changed everything. Running the Marathon des Sables, joining the Running Channel, leaving the Running Channel, setting up Onwards Media, failing at a lot of races, and finally working out what this channel is actually for.

This is The Morning Coffee Run. Weird and wonderful races, honest gear reviews, running culture, and the kind of running stories you haven't heard yet.

Always forward, forward always. Until the coffee is cold and the miles are run.

What's in this video ⬇️
0:00 – Eight Attempts. Here We Go.
0:41 – The Coffee
1:01 – 2015: Depression, a Breakup, and a Marathon Ballot
2:52 – Four Marathons, Six Halfs, 1000 Miles. Year One.
3:20 – The Morning Coffee Run Is Born
3:46 – Why I Started Running at Night
4:07 – My First Ultramarathon
4:49 – Marathon des Sables and the Peak of 2019
5:10 – COVID
5:41 – The Running Channel Cold DM That Changed My Career
6:44 – Joining the Running Channel Full Time
7:04 – Running to Paris From London on Day One
8:12 – Why I Left My Dream Job
9:01 – 2025: The Year of Failure
9:46 – How Onwards Media Started
10:37 – Why This Channel Kept Not Happening
12:32 – What This Channel Is Actually About
13:00 – Weird and Wonderful Races You've Never Heard Of
13:10 – Honest Gear and Tech Reviews (The Rules)
15:17 – The Big Goals Still on the List
15:55 – The Sign Off

#morningcoffeerun #runningyoutube #runningchannel #marathonrunner #ultrarunning #marathondesables #runningvlog #jamesdunn #onwardsmedia #alwaysforward #therunningchannel #runningchannel

20 Comments

@EverydayAthleteDavidProud 1 month ago

I always loved your videos on The Running Channel and was so sad when you disappeared. Glad to hear business is going well, and hopefully we will see more of your face from now on.

@burgerkingbub 1 month ago

You were my favourite on the running channel because of your vulnerability, relatable pace and trails focus. It was such a pleasant surprise to find out you've been behind the scenes with Phily and Daniel. Keep doing weird and wonderful!

@michaelsweet6709 1 month ago

Loved hearing your story James, I really haven’t been watching too much of TRC lately, it feels different now. I do miss you and Mo being on there. Good Luck with this endeavor and I will support you all I can!!!

@PentagonFortress 1 month ago

I imagine Andy and the running channel are wishing you nothing but the best

@SparkleFairy86 1 month ago

This is probably a very ‘me’ thing, but I’d love to see more recreational runners maybe being highlighted? I’m not a fast runner, I’m never going to run a race but I love training and I love shoes etc. The big channels that are pushed to me make me feel like there isn’t a single shoe out there that is designed for my running pace, because no one reviewing that shoe runs at the pace.

I dunno, that was a ramble. Basically, looking forward to whatever you do. Been very much enjoying your shorts 😊

@ElizabethSanderson-z2y 1 month ago (edited)

Ohhhh! I’m so happy to know you’re working with Philly! What a great place to land! ❤ And I’m glad you’re doing your own stuff as well! I always identified most with your running journey. I’m really glad to find you here. Looking forward to more videos!

@Suzilaurajones88 1 month ago

Love this James. I love TRC too but I think there's a massive space for non-spon content from someone who is "normal" and down to earth.

@markknee4421 1 month ago

The algorithm brought me here (All Hail The Algorithm). I'm glad it did.

Well done for striking out on your own, I wish you every success. I'll be subscribing to see more.

@finchy_you_fool 4 weeks ago (edited)

So glad to see you, James! I feel like so many of the old guard from TRC whom I loved (Anna, you, Mo, Manny) have left. I love TRC and still watch their videos and listen to the pod. Lately, I find myself rewatching older videos more than their new content, maybe because that’s what I watched when I started becoming a runner. You’ve always been relatable and inspirational at the same time, so keep being you. Hope to see more content from you when you’re up for it! Take care!

@the23er 1 month ago

That's a thing i like about TRC, and your channel now, that besides the usual hyper fit ex-olympian, ultra winners and basically professionals, there are normal people with times i can relate to. I started late with running and fitness as a whole, so i can not relate with 30min 10ks, or sub 3h Marathons when i am happy to have sub 3h half Marathons.

@W1ldt1m 1 month ago

WOW amazing to see your arc is why Phillies has stepped up to a whole nother level. Insane.

@The_Average_Jay 1 month ago

I really appreciate the t&cs, and whilst I won't put words in your mouth, i imagine this is an area you didn't align with TRC. It's the same reason I find myself not watching their videos and some others anymore, everything just feels like (or is blatantly called out as an ad) which makes it feel disingenuous and inauthentic.

Best of luck with the channel and your business James.

Always Forward, Forward Always!

@suethurrold 3 weeks ago

Ahhhhh Welcome back James. I wondered where you'd got too. Looking forward to checking in to your channel.

@scottmadden6252 3 weeks ago

James, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for continuing on your journey. I found you on TRC and absolutely identified with you as I’m a larger runner as well. I wondered what happened to you when you disappeared from that channel. The other channel does seem to be much different than when it started. I enjoy seeing running stories that relate to us “average” runners. (No runner is average) Continue working and moving and documenting. You will always have a fan in me. I’m attempting the Dopey Challenge in 2027 raising money for Blood Cancer United. Wish me luck.

@kev_inhere 1 month ago

Would love to see you make a special guest appearance on TRC or Phily’s channel! You’ve always made me feel like running longer distances were achievable! Great motivation! Always positive!

@approachableactive 1 month ago (edited)

I just want to say that it was your videos specifically on the running channel that started my 9 stone weight loss journey!
My small activity channel was started to help others do what you guys did for me. Im so excited to see your personal take on this platform!

@Vicegrip619 3 weeks ago

This is where TRC fell short - blatant advertising without any mention of sponsorship. No channel is too big for its viewers.

@katieamarshh 4 weeks ago (edited)

I was wondering what had happened to you the other week and now the algorithm showed this!

@mz8061 1 month ago

Always loved seeing you on the running channel. Excited to see what you do with this channel too!

@IQzminus2 1 month ago

I started following Philly Bowden soon after you started there, never knew.
You were my favourite presenter on the running channel because I really appreciated your storytelling and self reflection.
Im guessing a bit of that is present from your involvement too in Phillys videos. Never reflected on that before.

And as a non-straight runner I enjoyed not feeling as alone and feeling more like there was a place for me in the running world.

I’ve already without knowing followed your in your work, so I guess I will continue to do that in the future too.