I'd like to see Donato do some cross country. His whacky nature would make it fun, I think, oh yes, that's right, you heard me, let's goooo! Best and original running YouTuber, and if you subscribe, you will NOT be hurting for content, oh yes
20 of Bester's last 22 videos are just headcam footage from races or parkruns he's done. Has he completely given up the ghost with his channel and turned into the British* equivalent or SJD (only pumping out shoe reviews for months), or is he suffering from not having his Best Athletics chums to film him locally? Either way the vlogs are mostly gone, and if there's one thing people find boring, it's listening to his breathing and fake-laughing voiceovers for an entire video
I imagine it's a bit of both, but I suspect he's now in a rut of chasing the algorithm as certain race videos of his really pop off, whilst many others get much less viewership and he's trying to constantly chase those big numbers
Bester's coach is Neil Danby - coach at Holland Sports AC who were the host club in this Surrey League Div 1 fixture and indeed who Nick was running for. Yeah he filmed the race (not a bad watch TBF) but probably don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to infer Neil encouraged Nick to run for them. Conditions did again look "brutal". Narrow looking course and the ground was so dry he opted for Takumi Sens not XC spikes. 40th there does look good on paper compared to full send parkruns but in amongst here loads of runners of similar and better ability over short distances. He was also a place ahead of Phil Wicks who has run for GB in the World Cross and a 62 HM runner.
Unfortunately this is par for the course for YouTube coaches. A friend was in the Bester cult and pretty much had same feedback. They also went on a training camp and said he was insufferable and basically did his own training all week as the participants in the camp were too slow for him
To be fair (ish) to Bester on this one I don't think it's unreasonable that he mostly does his own running at these camps. Like, he is way way better than the runners in his team/club/cult - I don't think it would make much sense for him to be doing the same sessions, or doing them with these people. Just take a look at some of the pictures from his recent France retreat, clearly he's got very different performance goals from everyone else there. Although having seen him around races and reading around other comments and his general vibe I can absolutely believe he'd be a terrible person to be stuck living with for a week.
I would caveat the defence with why are you bothering to encourage some of these people on training camps? For someone who's absolutely maxing performance vs their work/life limitations it makes sense to want to go and be distraction free for a week or so. Skimming 10-15% off the booking fee from Joe Bloggs who's trying to run a sub 4 marathon off of 25-30mpw isn't this. At this point maybe you do have to ask if it's just a convoluted way of failing to beat the Battersea park swingers association rumours.
While we're talking Bester it's quite funny that despite being the founder of and having total control of his 'club' he hasn't bothered to sort out entry to any UK XC leagues - something that's quite a big part of the club culture for heaps of clubs up and down the country... So he's got to join some other club to be able to enter into a league, but for some reason he doesn't join one of the TWO decent competitive clubs in Winchester and enter into his home league, where he can race top level athletes from Bournemouth and Aldershot. I've race with/against Ellis Cross, Jack Rowe and Abdinassir Mohamoud Elmi (although there are rumours about him in local running whatsapps that suggest he might need to ask Matt Fox for tips on staying fit inside). Does he just hate spending time with his family? Come on man, just join your local club and do some local races if you need a second claim.
Best Athletics tried to join the Surrey League years ago, to which they told them to get tae f*ck 😂😂😂😂😂
Kofuzi posted a 2025 Chicago Marathon recap video. Basically him running around the course as a spectator getting poor quality shots of the elite field, and Floberg of course (got to cross-promote)
He actually films running with the camera without a gimbal. You will be sicker than a couch-to-marathoner that takes a GU every mile watching it.
Kofuzi posted a 2025 Chicago Marathon recap video. Basically him running around the course as a spectator getting poor quality shots of the elite field, and Floberg of course (got to cross-promote)
He actually films running with the camera without a gimbal. You will be sicker than a couch-to-marathoner that takes a GU every mile watching it.
Kofuzi is so pathetic lol. I bet his wife and kids despise him. Do you think he thinks he’s really a cool big shot or he knows deep down he’s an old man loser grifting in the running world? I know lots of people historically like his show reviews, but im still shocked he has so many fans and his own gear with rabbit. His demeanor is so off putting and higher than thou when he really has no grounds to act like it. Wish brands would stop throwing money his way
Kofuzi is so pathetic lol. I bet his wife and kids despise him. Do you think he thinks he’s really a cool big shot or he knows deep down he’s an old man loser grifting in the running world? I know lots of people historically like his show reviews, but im still shocked he has so many fans and his own gear with rabbit. His demeanor is so off putting and higher than thou when he really has no grounds to act like it. Wish brands would stop throwing money his way
His time as a shoetuber has to be coming to an end soon. No reason for him not to have been out there on the course Sunday instead of fanboying real runners. I'm sure he thinks he is a running celebrity since brands have showered him with attention and randos shout in public when they see him. He is likely feeling the pressure to keep running and improving to stay relevant and it's exhausting. Imposter syndrome probably always back of mind and the voice is getting louder.
Kofuzi is so pathetic lol. I bet his wife and kids despise him. Do you think he thinks he’s really a cool big shot or he knows deep down he’s an old man loser grifting in the running world? I know lots of people historically like his show reviews, but im still shocked he has so many fans and his own gear with rabbit. His demeanor is so off putting and higher than thou when he really has no grounds to act like it. Wish brands would stop throwing money his way
I’ve never watched a full Kofuzi video, and haven’t even suffered through part of one in years - but - was there really a need to bring the man’s wife and kids into this? You can rage on how awful his videos are all day long, but unless they are actually in a video doing something to comment on, (like Ben is begging’s gf taking center stage) I think leaving his family out of it is the right thing to do.
Bester's coach is Neil Danby - coach at Holland Sports AC who were the host club in this Surrey League Div 1 fixture and indeed who Nick was running for. Yeah he filmed the race (not a bad watch TBF) but probably don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to infer Neil encouraged Nick to run for them. Conditions did again look "brutal". Narrow looking course and the ground was so dry he opted for Takumi Sens not XC spikes. 40th there does look good on paper compared to full send parkruns but in amongst here loads of runners of similar and better ability over short distances. He was also a place ahead of Phil Wicks who has run for GB in the World Cross and a 62 HM runner.
you cant drop Phil Wicks name in there without mentioning he is almost 50 and has been a jogger for the last 20yrs, the guy had a great running career but is just jogging these days
Besters only started the xc to have another excuse to spend weekends away from his family and to prey on some more of the local talent as rumours spread of his noctural activities around the Battersea region
what are these rumours surrounding Elmi? those placed around Winchester Crown Court should be well aware
Every now and then you come across a Strava profile where every run has a description which practically a brag - how “easy” a session felt or how “stupid” some people were in a race for going too fast. Yet people are liking these posts?
Not just me who sits there and thinks you arrogant t*sser?
Kofuzi only does races where he gets a free bib. He's so important now that races have to pay him an appearance fee for it to be worth it for him. Just wait until New York. He won't miss out on that.
Every now and then you come across a Strava profile where every run has a description which practically a brag - how “easy” a session felt or how “stupid” some people were in a race for going too fast. Yet people are liking these posts?
Not just me who sits there and thinks you arrogant t*sser?
Yes agreed, it’s nearly as embarrassing as liking The Foo Fighters.
All eyes turn to Abingdon and Valencia now in the YouTuber world. Hoping for some big PBs and/or blowups at Valencia.
Basically have seen some messages about him being arrested/bailed and B'mouth ac worried it will hit the local papers soon. Haven't seen any coverage so potentially either an injunction/delay because it's a big offence or these are wrong and someone in the club whatsapp has been mislead or misinformed. Don't know if he's got a public strava/social to see if he's still up to anything. Notice August to now is the longest race gap this year tho
Kofuzi posted a 2025 Chicago Marathon recap video. Basically him running around the course as a spectator getting poor quality shots of the elite field, and Floberg of course (got to cross-promote)
He actually films running with the camera without a gimbal. You will be sicker than a couch-to-marathoner that takes a GU every mile watching it.
That was one of the worst videos i've ever seen, totally unwatchable. Shaky camera even when still then add on all the running around and yelling like a buffoon - wtf?
And all the youtube comments are just stroking him off for his story telling, what?
In 5 years all of these shoetubers will be old and still grifting what's left of the running world. Afraid to let go. They should be embarrassed when they look back and see how they acted.