Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

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It's not the time you run, it's the time you have. Think about that. This week we are joined by Karen Webber. She was reluctant to come on the podcast, we managed to twist her arm, we're so glad we perservered. Karen is, almost on a weekly basis, involved with running and racing from a very different perspective. Whether that is timing events with her hubby Matt or in her more well-known role, ass...

We said we’d take you on a global adventure in Season 12, and we’re sticking to that promise! Our Des-tination this week is mainland Europe, and we’re off on quite the adventure with this week’s guest and long-time pal of the show Des Tinney. Des took on a huge personal quest recently by completing the Camino De Santiago in Northern Spain. 496 miles that is. He did so for a very special cause, and...

Our Season 12 globetrotting continues! We're of to LA baby, and we've got a date with a couple who are absolutely worth the trip! Billy and Hilary Yang take time out from their breathless schedule to take us through their phenomenal running story. Billy Yang, a YouTube sensation with a lot to answer for! Creating the fuel for many runners’ trail running ideology with breath-taking cinematography a...

In this inspiring episode, Marcus Smith, founder of InnerFight, shares his journey and the philosophy behind the InnerFight brand (and how it got its name!) Marcus discusses the importance of mental toughness, pushing beyond physical limits, and the significance of building a supportive community. This episode is also a first for our co-host, none other than our Yorkshire Correspondent Mel Sykes,...

Konnichiwa!! Welcome to season 12. Welcome to our voyage to the Land of the Rising Sun! In this season opener we reveal what it's all about as Stevie Boy exclusively announces a springtime trip to Tokyo. Another marathon major beckons, and it's an important one for all sorts of reasons. We find out how he got his Tokyo Marathon spot and some initial plans for a bucket-list trip of a lifetime. The...

A bonus episode where we get the lowdown from our man on the street (literally) Adrian Stott... In an event like no other, to meet their goal of 3100 miles (4989km) in 52 days, athletes must log an average of 59.6 miles (95.9 km) per day. This is just one statistic of a fascinating event known as the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race which takes place annually in New York. Adrian provi...

Our Season 11 Finale is here!! Join us as we round off our long and winding journey into the 'Danger Zone' with Back Yard Ultra specialist Keith Russell. A fitting guest in a week that saw the BYU world best smashed by our pals in Belgium. An enormous achievement and one that will now be firmly in Keith's sights. Keith is something else, an incredible athlete yes, however that's not all. With a fi...

In our penultimate episode of a tumultuous Season 11 we're joined by Rachel Macpherson. It's fair to say that Rachel's running story has exceeded her own expectations. 2024 has given her a taste for some of the UK's most iconic ultra marathons and the chance to test out her growing prowess. We find out from Rachel how, from a standing start, she's moved rapidly up through the distances. From tackl...

We first clapped eyes on Jonny Wolf at the 10k Chilli Trail Race in Auchterarder in 2022 when the first three finishers crossed the line within 9 seconds of each other! Originally from Kelso in the Scottish Borders, Jonny and his partner Tess are now living their best lives in Canada, taking on adventures and exploring their new surrounding area. Happening across Trail Runner Nation podcast in 201...

We're joined in this episode by Laura Watts. By her own description, Laura is an ordinary girl doing extraordinary things. WARNING...you may feel very inspired by this episode! Laura ran her first marathon in London in 2003, she's come a long way since, completing 179 marathons to date! Laura's running and her learning journey is all in this episode, the highs and lows, it's a no-holds barred extr...

Join us as we round the bend for the home straight of Season 11. And we're doing so with a swagger. The UTMB. The Champions League final of trail running. For many of our tribe it's a mainstay on the bucket list. Dave Adams had that dream. In 2024 he made it a reality. And he joins us to share his UTMB experience. In typical YHRF style we first find out about Dave's running background....

Destination Windermere for this week's bumper episode as we look back at our experience taking on The Lap Ultra Marathon. And we've brought our pals! First up we have the pleasure of a race debrief with John Robb. John finished up a superb 2024 racing with another outstanding outing in the Lake District. An honest account of his Lap ensues, oh that finish time! As if one star guest isn&#39...

Let's dip back in time a smidge.  This week we're joined by Robyn Cassidy winner of the 2024 Lakeland 100. Robyn took the top podium spot in Coniston, we focus on that terrific effort but delve into tons more. Robyn runs us through her running career to date picking out highlights along the way. A recap of a busy 2023 including a win at the Dragons Back, a brace of 2nd places at the Arc of...

We take a momentary break from the 'Danger Zone' this week for a much-needed catch-up with your hosts. No guest, but we throw a curve ball by posing 3 questions a piece to each other. Mixing things up, ken. The kettle is just off the boil, mon in for a chill. Whether you want to hear about John's latest scran plan, looking for alternative races for 2025 or want to hear Stevie Boy's...

We've met some great folks along the way whilst doing this podcast malarkey. This week's guest sits comfortably in that bracket. Dan Bentley is that man, you may have seen some of his work on your social channel timelines over the last few months. Dan, a jogger, an ultra-runner and a helluva photographer. In traditional YHRF style we first get to find out about Dan's own running. Just...

Keeping safe out on the trails and hills. Could we be doing more? This week we're joined by James Anderson, an ultra runner and volunteer member of the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team part of Scottish Mountain Rescue. We bumped into James at this year's Lakeland 100. He was taking part. Raring to go. Then his weekend took an unexpected twist. James came across a stricken fellow competitor. H...

Neil Walker joins us this week to recount a memorable day spent on the Rob Roy Way. Drymen to Pitlochry. Come on and dive in to hear all about it. Neil takes us through his recent attempt to grab the Fastest Known Time on the famed Rob Roy Way Trail. He chose the tougher of the two route options, just shy of 90 miles with almost 11k feet of vertical ascent. Neil, who previously repped for Scotland...

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!!! In this week's episode we're joined by winner of the 2024 Jungle Ultra Ben Harrison. Taking us straight into the danger zone from the get-go Ben's take on his memorable time in the Amazon rainforest is both inspirational and appetite whetting. How does a lad from Tenby conquer a jungle ultra in Peru? Listen into find out. A captivating character Ben holds nothing back to g...

We said we’d be back to unpack our Lakeland 100 weekender, let’s go! Dusting ourselves off after another everlasting weekend in the Lake District John, Stevie Boy and Mel Sykes sit down for the big debrief! We’ve plenty to cover. It proved to be a tough race for both John and Mel as the course threw all it had at them. Their outcomes differed with John battling injury and Mel battling the downrigh...

Danger Zone ye say? Mon then. Our eyes are on the Lake District this week as we turn ALL our attention to what is set to be another tumultuous weekend in Coniston. Yip, the time has come for our John to hit go on his latest adventure as he looks forward to taking on the Montane Lakeland 100. Joining us is fellow LL100 2024 starter, our esteemed Yorkshire correspondent Mel Sykes. Stevie Boy leads t...

This week we're over the moon to chat with a guy who's made a monumental impact in the sport of trail and ultra running. Dylan Bowman joins us for another landmark episode of the Young Hearts Run Free Podcast. Hot off a heavy schedule covering race weekends the length and breadth of the USA Dylan blows the lid off in our recap of his running career, his Freetrail media journey and gives us...

Jarlath Mckenna had an absolute belter of a day this year on the West Highland Way Race. Snatching that coveted first place with aplomb. Yes...Jarlath entered the danger zone, but how did he react, how did he deal with it? We've got all of the answers and more as he joins us for a race debrief. We don't just speak about the WHW though, we cover Jarlath's early days of running and his t...

Who would run 60 miles over Wales toughest Mountains, and then turn around and do it all over again? This weeks guest Ajay Hanspal did exactly that on his way to setting a new Double Paddy Buckley Round FKT. What is the Paddy Buckley round? Ajay gives us the details, but in summary it covers 132 miles, with 58,500ft of elevation and includes 94 summits! Phew... Previous guest Nicky Spinks was the...

The Cape Wrath Trail. It's almost mythical. It certainly presents a danger zone. This week we welcome the quite magnificent Tom Rainey to tell us all about it. Tom recently tackled the North to South version of the Cape Wrath Trail in pursuit of the Fastest Known Time. 240 miles of arduous terrain, it turned out to be quite the adventure! We're unsure if we've ever had a guest who'...