Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

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 rain, surviving on minimal sleep, falling into peat bogs, seeing imaginary dragons in the darkness, and the unexpected friendship that developed with fellow runner George Jones over three days on the Southern Upland Way. Along the way, Jessi shares her no-nonsense approach to foot care, fuelling, mental resilience, and why Scottish race organisers and volunteers are among the best in the world. In this episode: Lyme disease and running against the odds Race Across Scotland from an American perspective Bogs, blisters (or lack of them) and foot care hacks Sleep deprivation and trail hallucinations Real food fuelling for 200+ mile races Scottish hospitality, yum yums and baked potatoes The power of kindness in ultrarunning "Positivity and kindness is just a full circle." - Jessi Morton-Langehaug, 2026 Runners Are Smilers Megan Eckert Blog

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, returning guest David joins John and Steven for a deep dive into the craft of seeing what everyone else walks past. From living out of his car for seven days in brutal winter conditions to document the Montane Winter Spine Race for his upcoming photo book, to taking water pistols and dry ice into the 55°C furnace of Death Valley crewing and pacing Sophie Power at Badwater 135. We talk about: The reality behind that historic Barkley Marathons finish line moment and resisting the trap of being defined by a single shot. Why documentary photography isn't about shiny finish lines, but rather aid stations, toilet blocks, exhaustion, and the messy "in-between" moments. The painstaking anatomy of creating SPINE: scouting 100 course locations, sleeping trailside, and assembling a visual jigsaw of winter suffering. Pacing through Death Valley at Badwater: cooling strategies, dry ice logistics, and the pure team dynamic of crossing the line together. Cutting through the social media noise and visual saturation at mega-events like UTMB and Lakeland. Balancing life as a working gas engineer while maintaining the freedom to shoot running purely on your own terms. Plus, we talk personal running journeys, navigating creative slumps, and stick around for David’s track pick to close out the show. We've also some major news on the podcasts Autumnal March Drop!! Get in quick on that one! Hit play, lace your sneaks or grab a brew, and enjoy our blether.

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 into the highs, the lows, the recovery process, and go through a who's who of friends of the show we bumped into over an epic weekend. We also take a look ahead at what’s filling up the calendar. ​We chat through race directing duties for the upcoming Auchterarder Running Festival (ARF), balancing peak training with the return of football season(!), and race plans on the horizon—including the Newton Road Runners 10K. ​Grab a brew, kick your feet up, and join us for an hour and a bit of proper running chat. If you fancy taking on the Dunoon Ultra Marathon next time keep an eye on entries opening here https://www.entrycentral.com/dunoonultra You can still join John and other on the start line of the Newton Road Races on Sat 24 Oct using this link https://www.entrycentral.com/NewtonRoadRaces

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 ultra races. In this episode, Will talks about: Growing up around sport and how running always seemed to be the constant thread. Competing internationally in modern pentathlon and representing Great Britain at junior level. Falling out of love with running during Covid and rediscovering it through marathon racing. Chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time and running 2:40 at Boston. Winning the Minnesota Voyager 50 Mile in extreme heat while working in the United States. Volunteering at Lakeland 100 before racing it himself. The surreal experience of unknowingly leading the race overnight. Fuel strategy and taking in more than 100g of carbohydrates per hour. A particular highlight is Will's answer to this season's theme, Everest, where he reflects on the idea that the real reward is not the summit but the journey itself. For a runner who only recently stepped up to the 100-mile distance, Will's combination of talent, humility, perspective and sheer enthusiasm shines throughout this conversation. This is an uplifting chat packed with practical ultra-running insights, Lakeland 100 stories, and a reminder to enjoy every step of the climb. Will Howard Instagram: @wilzo

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 and lows of the legendary Ring of Fire around Anglesey, a race that broke him emotionally, challenged his identity as a runner, and ultimately taught him more than any finish line ever could. From sleepless nights in tents and self-doubt on the coastal path, to returning a year later for redemption, this is a conversation about failure, resilience, self-awareness and discovering your true "why". Whether you've DNF'd, missed a target, struggled through a race, or wrestled with disappointment in any area of life, this episode will resonate."I now think of that first DNF as the best race of my life. It wasn't the most enjoyable, far from it, but the impact it had on my running and beyond running was enormous." Chris Marritt, 2026Look out for Did Not Fail, available from 19 August, where Chris shares the full story of failure, growth, resilience and eventual redemption. If you've ever experienced a DNF, a setback, or a race that taught you more than success ever could, we'd love to hear your story. Because sometimes the most important finish line isn't the one you cross... it's the one that changes you.

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, a brutal 170-mile journey linking Milngavie to Inverness via the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way. Brian not only completed the event, he became the sole finisher and set a new course record of 47:40:45 But this conversation goes far beyond race results. Brian shares how a casual chat during marathon training introduced him to ultrarunning, his battles with shin splints, how a serious chest infection ultimately saved his running career, and the transformative impact of working with coach Iain Bethune. We also dive into: How the D33 convinced him ultras were for him Lessons learned from the West Highland Way Race Why elevation became the secret weapon in his training The importance of crew support and race strategy Breathwork techniques that helped him stay calm during 170 miles of suffering The ultra community and the people who inspire him A moving discussion about overcoming addiction and how adversity helped forge his mental resilience The famous Great Glen Way "Princess Chair" Along the way there are shoe reviews, nutrition mishaps, stories from Glen Ogle, Falkirk and the Ochils, and perhaps the most budget-friendly sock strategy ever featured on the podcast. Most of all, this is a story about endurance, humility, friendship and discovering what you're capable of when you commit fully to a goal. "Take it one mile at a time. Get to the next checkpoint. That's all I thought about." Brian Robertson 2026

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: The boys are back! Just John and Steven behind the mics, which means world-class tangents, steak pie reviews, and a deep dive into an unforgettable weekend at the 2026 Lakeland 50 & 100. ​🏔️ Inflation claims at North Lakes Basecamp breakfast ⚡ The absolute 120-second chaos of the Lakeland 50 finish line as we delve into the Lakeland race reviews 🎤 Inspiring chats with IntoUltra, The Running Charity, and Atebion ❤️ The unsung hero volunteers who make Coniston magic 🏃 Shoutout to Daryn Phillips wrapping up his 496km July challenge for Gambling With Lives (link in below to donate!) 🗻 More info on our Season 16 theme - Everest 🏃 Daryn Phillips is running 496km in July for Gambling With Lives. Help him out and donate if you can

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 into the season break. 🔥 In This Episode Steven's journey from parkrun and hangover runs to ultra marathons How a 3:07 marathon PB led to bigger trail ambitions Why the trails now beat the roads for enjoyment The story behind the Brig Boys Podcast Working with coach Dan Connolly and the impact of structured training Lakeland 50 race tactics, checkpoints and favourite sections of the course Blisters, feet care, socks, shoes and gear choices The goal for this year's race Why Lakeland is "Glastonbury for runners" 🎯 Lakeland 50: The Mission Having completed Lakeland 50 in: 2023: 14:40 2024: 11:50 2025: 11:42 Steven returns this year chasing another PB. Lakeland Trackers https://live.opentracking.co.uk/26lakeland100/ https://live.opentracking.co.uk/26lakeland50/ Our discussion dives deep into pacing, checkpoint strategy, pole usage, fuelling plans and the mental game required to keep moving when the Lake District starts asking difficult questions. 🎧 Brig Boys Podcast If you've not checked out the Brig Boys Podcast yet, this episode is a great introduction to the team behind it. Steven shares how a friendship spanning more than 25 years evolved into a running podcast. We're big fans and highly recommend giving them a listen. 💡 Quote of the Episode "Nobody's asking what your time was in a 50-mile race. You can just enjoy the experience." Steven Willetts - 2026 🙌 Thank You A huge thank you to everyone who has listened, supported, shared, bought merch, worn buffs, stuck stickers around the world and joined us for another incredible season. We'll be back soon for Season 16. Until then, keep running, keep smiling and we'll see you in the Lakes.

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 background and life at sea on cruise ships to becoming one of Scotland's most exciting ultra runners. Along the way, she discusses the people who inspired her, the lessons learned from previous races, and how a carefully executed race plan helped her achieve a dream performance on the West Highland Way. In This Episode📈 The West Highland Way Progression🎯 Chasing a Scary Goal🧠 Race Craft and Mental Strength❤️ The Power of a Great Crew🌄 Favourite Sections of the West Highland Way🏆 Crossing the Line as ChampionCongratulations to Roberta Fletcher, the 2026 West Highland Way Race Women's Champion. A remarkable athlete, a brilliant ambassador for the sport, and proof that sometimes a chance meeting at a local 10K can completely change your life. Memorable Quote "Don't limit yourself. Go for it. Life's too short." Roberta Fletcher, 2026

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 breakthrough performance. Highlights How an ACL reconstruction led to a lifelong running journey. Building up to 100+ mile training weeks through a self-coached approach. Why returning to the West Highland Way after completing the Triple Crown wasn't part of the original plan. The race-day changes that helped slash almost five hours from his finish time. Nutrition, foot care and checkpoint strategies that kept him moving. The crucial support of crew, family and the Scottish running community. Key Takeaway “Go and do the thing that scares you. Put the work in, trust the process, and earn your place on the start line.” - Stevie McKenna 2026

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's iconic 95-mile ultra. Key Moments From DNF to Finisher Melissa shares the disappointment of missing the Beinglas cutoff by just 10 minutes in 2025 and the emotional toll it took in the months that followed. Mental Health and Recovery An open and honest discussion about anxiety, therapy, seeking support, and rebuilding confidence one small step at a time. The Power of Community From her husband Gordon, coach Karen, Wildheart Runners,Garscube Harriers and countless friends, Melissa reflects on the people who helped her get back to the start line. A Different Approach in 2026 Armed with stronger mindset tools, visualisation practicesand more confidence, Melissa describes a race that felt entirely different from the year before. Devil's Staircase Karaoke One of the episode's funniest stories sees Melissa and friends tackling the Devil's Staircase while belting out Kylie Minogue classics in the middle of the night. The Finish The emotion of reaching Fort William, becoming the final official finisher, and receiving her goblet in one of the most cherished traditions in Scottish ultrarunning. Enjoy the episode, and if you've ever faced a setback in running or life, this one's for you. "This year wasn't about proving anything. It was a celebration of getting myself back to the start line." Melissa McLarnon, 2026

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 says stop. ⛰️ In This Episode• How Serena went from beginner runner to ultra athlete• Discovering trail running in the Pentlands• First ultra: Ultra X Scotland 50K• What the Spine Race series is all about• Inside the Challenger North (160 miles, Hardraw → Kirk Yetholm)• Real race conditions: bogs, weather, night running• Managing feet, nutrition, and fatigue• Mental strategies for staying in the game• The role of community and camaraderie in ultras• Representation and belonging in trail running 🔥 Race Highlights• Sunset run toward Tan Hill• Nighttime bogs and soaked feet• Cross Fell and exposed terrain• The legendary Alston checkpoint lasagne• Emotional high point in the Cheviot Hills• Final push to the wall at Kirk Yetholm 🤝 Community SpotlightSerena shares the impact of Black Trail Runners, highlighting:• Feeling seen and supported• The importance of representation in trail running• Creating space for more inclusive participation• The role of allies in growing the sport🏁 Memorable Moment I didn’t know if I could do it… but that’s kind of the point - Serena Broadway, 2026 Find out more about the Black Trail Runners Photo: Instagram: @ultra.im.possible

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 reflects on an incredible race that saw her finish 3rd female, while John shares the emotional rollercoaster of reaching Hardraw after nearly 51 hours on the move. Expect stories of: 🏔️ The beauty and brutality of the Pennine Way 🥾 Checkpoint life and race strategy 🌅 Sunrise moments and dark-night struggles 🐄 Cow confidence (or lack of it!) 😵 Sleep deprivation and surreal hallucinations ❤️ The support, friendships and unique spirit of the Spine community A conversation recorded while the memories were still fresh, the legs still sore, and the emotions still very real. Two runners. One extraordinary adventure.

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 toraise funds for Strathcarron Hospice , turning grief into purpose and miles into meaning. 🏃‍♂️ In this episode, we cover: How Gregor went from 2:21 marathon runner to multi-day ultra challenge Planning and navigating St Cuthberts Way, the Scottish National Trail, West Highland Way & Cape Wrath terrain The physical toll: injury, fatigue, and running through pain Fuel, kit, and what it’s like running with a pack for the first time The emotional side of running in memory of a loved one Finding joy beyond pace, numbers, and PBs 💬 A moment that says it all: “If I could keep one running memory for the rest of my life, it would be this.” 📍 Follow Gregor’s journey: Instagram: @trossachs_trails Support the fundraiser

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 marathon in Paris, before realizing his true calling was getting muddy on the trails. We’re getting into the weeds on: The "Accidental" Ultra Runner: How a daily 5K challenge snowballed into top-10 finishes at brutal events like the Devil of the Highlands. The School of Hard Knocks: Honest chat about the early disasters—pacing screw-ups, fueling fails, and learning the hard way that you can't just wing a 50-miler. Enter Coach Fiona: How getting some proper adult supervision (aka structured coaching) saved him from overtraining and actually got him focusing on... stretching? Who knew. The Big Dance: With the iconic West Highland Way race just four weeks away, we look at Callum’s master plan—from back-to-back hill smashers on Arran to sorting out a support crew that can tolerate him for 96 miles. Grab a brew, lace up, and get this one in your lugs! Callums Fundraiser for Prostate Cancer

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 turns from “just a run” into a podium battle A full breakdown of pacing, fuelling (yes… gels AND Twix), and race tactics Honest reflections on confidence, mindset and finding your drive Plus: chaotic intros, Yorkshire banter, and why coloured head torches might be the future of racing. Tune in for laughs, lessons, and one seriously inspiring performance. “I don’t like racing… but I liked that bit.” Mel Sykes 2026

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 dropping its first-ever technical running t-shirt , Scotland-inspired, seriously limited and available to pre order from 7pm on Sunday 17 May . First come, first served! tune in for the details! We also celebrate the incredible Megan Boxall , who has just completed 200 marathons in 200 days around the UK 👏 The main feature we cover is a dive aff the top board into John’s prep for the Spine Challenger South (just the 108 miles!) : With race day fast approaching, John shares where he’s at physically and mentally, and also...what comes next. We also cover his fundraising efforts and discuss his growing hair, which quite frankly is getting oot oh control! And we love it! Plus: Kit chat and why the Pennine Way might not be as brutal as everyone says......have we been lied tae? Sign up for ARF Megan Boxall Tracker (Completed it mate!) JC's Fundraiser for CALM Spine Race Womens Webinar

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 MattersEveryone starts tied for firstCommunity is greater than competitionOrdinary people doing extraordinary things “You’re only limited by the limits you set yourself.” Kayleigh Webster 2026 🔮 What’s next?Beecraigs BYU is likely back for 2027, and demand will be BIG 👀 Connect with Kayleigh Website: runsmileinspire.com Instagram: @run.smile.inspire and @thehappydiet Megan Boxall Run Britain Tracker

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: The Boston Breakdown: Why the downhill start is a trap and how the Newton Hills actually feel at mile 20. Health & Resilience: Life after Hodgkin’s lymphoma and why running is about more than just medals. The Six Star Accident : How Karl ended up chasing the majors without ever actually planning to. Training vs. Reality: Juggling night shifts, injury scares, and the psychological spiral of race week. Behind the Mic: Podcast rivalries, merch, and why we do this for the love of the running community. "Boston is harder than it looks—by a long way. Structure helps, but context matters." - Karl Hodgson 2026 Megan Boxall Runs Britain Tracker

In this episode, Steven and John are joined by Lewis Bowness, a Lake District based fell and ultra runner whose journey from village fell races to winning the Lakeland 50 and podium‑finishing at the Arc of Attrition is nothing short of inspiring. Lewis shares how growing up in the Lake District shaped his love for running, the influence of his family, and how fell running became normal from an early age. The conversation explores coaching, mindset, resilience, racing tactics, community rivalries, and what it really takes to step up to the sharp end of ultra running. This is a deep‑dive into progression, patience, humility, and learning to thrive in both the highs and the hard days. That’s when you thank yourself for all those dark January runs - Lewis Bowness