Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_voice_tommy_leeming-667x1000.png" alt="Long distance mountain runner, teacher and author Milly Voice" class="wp-image-84186" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_voice_tommy_leeming-667x1000.png 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_voice_tommy_leeming-533x800.png 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_voice_tommy_leeming-768x1152.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_voice_tommy_leeming.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Tommy Leeming</figcaption></figure>



<p>Long-distance mountain runner <a href="http://www.millyvoice.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milly Voice</a> races internationally but Sussex is where she grew up, going to school at Roedean and developing a love of cross country on trails that still have a place in her heart. Her family lives near Rye, so while she herself is now based in North London following a stint in Switzerland, the county regularly calls her back home. </p>



<p>As well as running, Milly is a teacher and – as of this year – a published children&#8217;s author. She&#8217;s currently training for a race in Switzerland this summer (78km with an altitude difference of over 4600m, no less) but paused for breath just long enough to chat to Muddy about what got her started, what keeps her going, and how she came to write into being a plucky marmot named Mildred. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_book.png" alt="Runner, teacher and author Milly Voice" class="wp-image-84134" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_book.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_book-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_book-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_book-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/Milly_book-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Dottie Publishing</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-did-your-running-journey-start">Where did your running journey start? </h3>



<p>I was not particularly sporty at school although I did love cross country. Running properly began in my early 20s when I started trail running. I can pinpoint the moment: I put some trainers on in the Burbage Valley in the Peak District, and it changed everything. It is just the most freeing feeling, running in nature. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-did-you-get-serious-about-it">When did you get serious about it? </h3>



<p>My first ultra-marathon was a 53km mountain race in the Alps. Before then I&#8217;d only ever raced a half-marathon! But I finished among the Top 10 Women and it was a significant moment for me: if you have self-belief, you can travel far. This was the inspiration for my story, <em>Mildred the Marmot</em>.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-there-any-women-who-ve-inspired-you-along-the-way">Are there any women who&#8217;ve inspired you along the way? </h3>



<p>I&#8217;m inspired by amazing female runners such as Courtney Dauwalter and Emelie Forsberg. They both have a great energy and they work hard on the mountain! Above all, I am inspired by my mother. She is going through cancer treatment (not for the first time) and I am constantly in awe of her resilience.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/mv_balance-1000x667.png" alt="Long distance mountain runner, teacher and author Milly Voice" class="wp-image-84184" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/mv_balance-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/mv_balance-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/mv_balance-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/mv_balance.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Milly Voice</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-keeps-you-motivated">What keeps you motivated? </h3>



<p>Moving. I can&#8217;t explain it but the feeling of movement inspires me to do more, explore more, see more! I&#8217;m also motivated to share my adventures with young people; as a teacher, I know how important it is to share the concept of self-belief with future generations. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-what-keeps-you-going-when-you-re-running">And what keeps you going when you&#8217;re running? </h3>



<p>Often, sweets! Also, good music and good conversations if I&#8217;m running with others.&nbsp;I most love mountain running, so the views keep you going, too.&nbsp;Endurance training often involves slow miles, so you take in the world around you.&nbsp;When I see the miles passing, it&#8217;s a reminder of what we are all capable of, and that&#8217;s inspiring, too. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-has-running-taught-you-about-yourself">What has running taught you about yourself?</h3>



<p>Running has not taught me to be resilient – it is the discovery that I am so.&nbsp;We should not be underestimated in terms of what we are capable of achieving, especially as women. Running has given me an inner confidence, too. No race is ever tackled in one go, you have to take it a chunk at a time. Then you find out you&#8217;ve covered 50km! I think life is like that: we look at daunting prospects as a whole but if we break them up, things become more manageable.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/blue_running_pause.png" alt="Long distance mountain runner, teacher and author Milly Voice" class="wp-image-84136" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/blue_running_pause.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/blue_running_pause-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/blue_running_pause-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/blue_running_pause-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/blue_running_pause-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Milly Voice</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-us-where-the-idea-for-your-children-s-book-came-from">Tell us where the idea for your children&#8217;s book came from?</h3>



<p>I felt exhilarated by the fact I had completed a long race, a little like the Mad Mountain March in Mildred&#8217;s story.&nbsp;I had shared my&nbsp;love of running&nbsp;with children in the classroom, and now wanted to write a story that anyone could be inspired by, especially if they were feeling daunted by something that lay up ahead, be it the first day of school or making new friends. The name Mildred is dear to me because it&#8217;s the childhood nickname my father gave me, and many of the characters are rooted in my own life and story.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-you-hope-your-readers-will-take-from-it">What do you hope your readers will take from it? </h3>



<p>That belief in yourself is your biggest superpower. It&#8217;s so vital we teach children this, especially given the pressures of modern society. This is what Mildred the Marmot realises, which results in her finishing the race as the First Marmot. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-there-any-similarities-between-writing-and-running">Are there any similarities between writing and running? </h3>



<p>Both are a process, with some trial and error. Plus, it&#8217;s the long game – endurance running takes time and training, my book, equally so. It has been a 10-year journey to publication! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/milly_voice_snow-1000x667.png" alt="Long distance mountain runner, teacher and author Milly Voice" class="wp-image-84188" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/milly_voice_snow-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/milly_voice_snow-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/milly_voice_snow-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/milly_voice_snow.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Milly Voice</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-been-your-proudest-moment-so-far-as-a-runner">What&#8217;s been your proudest moment so far as a runner? </h3>



<p>I ran the Swiss Alps 100 in 2022. I was raising money for Macmillan Cancer, specifically for the Horizon Centre in Brighton.&nbsp;At the time, the&nbsp;centre had really supported my mother through her chemotherapy. Cancer is so brutal, and you feel powerless to help someone you love. Running for Macmillan made me feel I could do something in the best way I&#8217;m able – on the trail. We raised&nbsp;a considerable amount&nbsp;which I was delighted by. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-a-brand-ambassador-for-salomon-right">You&#8217;re a brand ambassador for Salomon, right?</h3>



<p>Salomon are like family. I first was linked to them in 2014, and they&#8217;ve cheered me on over the years, supporting my running and adventures. I do not know where I would be without their kit: it&#8217;s made for mountains.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-have-a-favourite-sussex-run">Do you have a favourite Sussex run? </h3>



<p>Running around Beachy Head and Seven Sisters is really spectacular, and I love running on the beach, too. Honestly though, there are so many. I could not recommend trail running in Sussex more for its diversity under foot and scenic views. There is something for all. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/mv_coast-1000x667.png" alt="Long distance mountain runner, teacher and author Milly Voice" class="wp-image-84185" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/mv_coast-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/mv_coast-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/mv_coast-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/04/mv_coast.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: Milly Voice</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-your-top-tips-for-anyone-out-there-who-fancies-giving-running-a-proper-go">What are your top tips for anyone out there who fancies giving running a proper go? </h3>



<p>Get your trainers on. Even if you only run up the road – this is how it starts. Believe that you can, and I promise, there is so much ahead of you to enjoy.</p>



<p>Milly&#8217;s book <em>Mildred the Marmot and the Mad Mountain March</em> (Dottie Publishing) is available wherever you buy your books. Three of our local favourites are <a href="https://www.muchadobooks.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Much Ado Books</a> in Alfriston, <a href="https://booknookuk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Book Nook</a> in Hove and <a href="https://bags-of-books.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bags of Books</a> in Lewes. </p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



<p><strong><em>In the mood for more? </em></strong></p>



<p><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/bluebell-walks-in-sussex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ready for some bluebell basking? Walk the azure carpet with 12 local strolls</a></p>



<p><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/a-palette-and-a-prayer-local-artist-alice-carter-on-the-accident-that-changed-her-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A palette and a prayer: Local artist Alice Carter on the accident that changed her life</a></p>



<p><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/15-gorgeous-pub-gardens-in-sussex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hello sunshine! 15 gorgeous pub gardens in Sussex</a></p>


Muddy meets Milly Voice, long-distance mountain runner and children’s author

You may also like