Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

What happens when a former swimmer who hated running decides to take on all 282 Munros in Scotland? In this episode, Jamie Aarons shares the story behind her record-breaking self-propelled Munro Round, completing every Munro in just 31 days, 10 hours and 27 minutes by running, walking, cycling and kayaking between them. From discovering trail running through the West Highland Way community to brea...

In this episode we welcome Alice Baird, fresh from an extraordinary performance at the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra, where she stormed to victory and set a new female course record in 7:36:15. But as you'll hear, the story behind the result reveals what went into achieving that finish time. Alice shares her journey from reluctantly running cross-country at school to representing Scotland at the...

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Miles What can happen in six years? For Susan Naysmith, it meant going from a lockdown beginner to standing on ultra podiums, conquering the West Highland Way and running one of the fastest marathon times in Scotland this year. In this episode, Susan shares the highs, the setbacks, the lessons learned through injury, and the mindset that has helped her thrive across...

What happens when a fiercely competitive schoolgirl from Arran grows up to become one of Scotland’s most respected endurance runners? In this episode Jennifer Wetton joins us to share her remarkable journey from winning school sports day races to earning Scotland vests, running a 2:46 marathon, conquering the Anglo Celtic Plate 50K, and becoming a familiar face across the Scottish parkrun scene. J...

In this episode we sit down with ultra runners Nicola Duncan and Catherine Cowie to relive their remarkable journey across Scotland in the 2026 GB Ultras Race Across Scotland. Covering 225 miles from coast to coast, the pair not only finished the race together, but discovered the power of friendship, perseverance and shared adventure along the way. For Nicola, the race marked an emotional return t...

This week we are joined by Alan O’Rourke of Greenock GlenPark Harriers for a conversation packed with running stories, club culture, northern soul, ultras and plenty of laughs. Alan takes us back to the 1980s, playing "Olympics" in the street as a youngster, before discovering running properly in his late 20s and finding a home at Greenock Glenpark Harriers. What began as a way to get fi...

From Utah’s mountains to Scotland’s bogs, this one gets wild... This week we're joined by ultrarunning powerhouse Jessi Morton-Langehaug, who travelled from the USA to tackle the 215-mile Race Across Scotland and came away with a second-place finish, countless stories, and a whole new respect for Scottish terrain. We chat about overcoming Lyme disease, racing through bogs, fog and torrential r...

When Jasmin Paris sprinted toward the yellow gate at Frozen Head in March 2024 with barely 99 seconds to spare, documentary photographer David Miller was there to capture what instantly became one of the most iconic images in endurance sport history. But behind that single frame lies a much bigger story about storytelling, creative grit, and the raw underbelly of ultra running. This week, returnin...

Welcome back to Season 16, Episode 5 of the Young Hearts Run Free podcast! ​Just the two of us behind the mics this week as we sit down for a full debrief of our latest racing exploits at the 10th Anniversary of the Dunoon Ultra Marathon. A return to the ultra scene for Steven and John conjuring up another race in a magnificent 2026 for himself! With the battle lines temporarily cleared, we dig in...

Will Howard joins us to share the remarkable story behind his debut at the Lakeland 100, where he stunned the field by finishing 3rd place in a phenomenal 20:44. From a childhood spent trying every sport imaginable, through modern pentathlon, marathon running, and a breakthrough ultra victory in Minnesota, Will's running journey has taken him to the sharp end of one of the UK's toughest ul...

What happens when your greatest strength becomes your biggest vulnerability? In this episode we sit down with ultra runner, journalist and first-time author Chris Marritt to discuss his forthcoming book Did Not Fail, a deeply personal exploration of what happens when a runner encounters their first ever DNF after 24 years of always finding a way to the finish line. Chris takes us through the highs...

What do you get when you combine the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way, 170 miles of relentless Scottish trail, a coach with a winning pedigree, a couple of loyal crew members, and a runner who refuses to quit? You get Brian Robertson, better known on Instagram as @brido_runs_daft_ultras In this episode, we sit down with Brian fresh from an incredible performance at the By Way of the Glen,...

Season 16 is LIVE! 🎙️🏃‍♂️ ​Everyone has an Everest, what's yours? For some, it’s a high-altitude ultra. For others, it’s a first parkrun, a Couch-to-5K, or just getting out the front door. ​Whatever your Everest is this year—we want to hear about it. Drop us a comment and join the chat for another season of epic stories, big adventures, and classic questionable life choices! ​In Episode 1: Th...

The Season 15 curtain comes down with special guest Steven Willetts, better known as one half of the Brig Boys Podcast. A three-time Lakeland 50 finisher, Steven joins us to talk training, mindset, race strategy, nutrition, coaching, and what keeps drawing him back to one of the UK's most iconic ultra marathons. With Lakeland weekend just around the corner, it's the perfect conversation to send us...

In this episode we sit down with Roberta Fletcher, the 2026 West Highland Way Race women's winner. From running 10Ks with a buggy after having children to standing atop the podium at one of the world's most iconic ultra races, Roberta's story is one of patience, persistence, smart training, and believing in what is possible. Roberta shares her remarkable journey from a performing arts...

Stevie McKenna joins us to share the story behind his incredible five-hour improvement at the West Highland Way Race, reducing his time from 28:18 to 23:23 and achieving a coveted sub-24-hour finish. From recovering from an ACL injury that first introduced him to running, to becoming a dedicated ultra-runner, Stevie reflects on the lessons, sacrifices and mindset shifts that fueled his breakthroug...

In this powerful and emotional episode, we welcome Melissa McLarnon to the podcast. After being timed out at Beinglas in the 2025 West HighlandWay Race and a subsequent battle with anxiety and mental health challenges, Melissa returned this year with a completely different mindset. What follows is a story of resilience, recovery, friendship, and ultimately crossing the finish line of Scotland'...

Trail runner and endurance athlete Serena Broadway joins the podcast to share her journey into ultra running and her experience taking on the Summer Spine Challenger North, a brutal 160 mile race along the Pennine Way. From Couch to 5K beginnings to navigating bogs, sleep deprivation, and blisters, Serena reflects on resilience, community, and what it really takes to keep moving when everything sa...

Something a little different this week as John Cassidy and Rachel Macpherson sit down for a raw and honest debrief just hours after completing the Montane Summer Spine Challenger South. From months of preparation and recce weekends, to bogs, blisters, hallucinations, cow encounters and unforgettable sunrises, they relive every high and low of their 108-mile journey along the Pennine Way. Rachel re...

What does it take to run the entire length of Scotland ? In this powerful episode of the Young Hearts Run FreePodcast , we sit down with Gregor Yates , who completed anextraordinary challenge: running roughly 415 miles from Kirk Yetholm to CapeWrath , covering a marathon a day for 17 consecutive days. But this wasn’t just about endurance. Gregor took on this journey in memory of his mum and torais...

You go out for a casual 5K during lockdown to clear your head, and suddenly you wake up a few years later with a 96-mile trail race on your calendar. Classic mistake. This week, Steven is joined by Callum Clarke to chat about his absolutely rapid, slightly chaotic, and totally inspiring rise through the running ranks. Callum went from chasing a football around to knocking out a casual ~2:50 road m...

This week on Young Hearts Run Free, we’re joined by our Yorkshire Correspondent Mel Sykes to unpack her incredible run at the Ultra Trail Snowdonia 100K. After a last-minute entry, brutal Welsh mountain conditions and some seriously technical terrain, Mel powered her way to a🥉 3rd female finish in 19:41:53. Expect: Wild weather, boulder fields & midnight (ish) finishes The moment everything t...

It’s a just the two of us Steven and John special this week with a fun packed catch up episode. We kick off recapping the launch of the Auchterarder Running Festival 2026 , where the 10K has already sold out and limited places remain for the Double Dare, while entries for the Half Marathon are still open. This year’s theme? New York City baby🍎 Sensational news on the merch front too… YHRF is drop...

From Couch to 5K to Race DirectorKayleigh Webster joins us to share the story behind the inaugural Beecraigs Backyard Ultra — a sell-out event built on community, grit, and pure love of running.🔑 Highlights🏃 What a backyard ultra really is (last one standing!)💡 How Beecraigs BYU came to life🔥 150 places sold out in 22 days💯 19 runners hit 100 miles🥇 Craig McQueen takes the win💛 Why It Matte...

From a cancer diagnosis at 17 to the relentless hills of Newton, Karl Hodgson joins us for a deep dive into the grit, the gear, and the no-filter reality of the 2026 Boston Marathon. This isn't just a race recap; it’s a masterclass in perspective. Karl opens up about how running shifted his life path and why, sometimes, a 2:50:37 in Boston is worth more than any flat-course PB. Inside the Episode:...