Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

This week on Young Hearts Run Free, we’re joined by Scottish ultra-runner Colin Anderson for an honest, gripping deep-dive into what it truly takes to conquer the world’s most iconic trail races.
​From a second cruciate-ligament injury that ended his football days to stumbling into the Glen Coe Skyline and the West Highland Way Challenge, Colin breaks down his path into the world of ultra running. He takes us behind the scenes of his 5-year journey to the start line of UTMB in 2022—navigating the emotional rollercoaster of Chamonix, mid-race dark patches, and a pivotal message from home that got him over the Grand Col Ferret.
​Then, there’s the big one: California. Colin takes us stride-for-stride through his scorching 2025 Western States 100. Facing 40°C heat in the canyons, battling the chills at Michigan Bluff, and falling hours behind his splits, he shares the incredible turning point at Foresthill with his pacer Scott—culminating in one of the most unbelievable finishes you will ever hear: crossing the Placer High track in a kilt alongside his family in 29:44:10. Just 15 mins to spare before cut off.
​We also chat:
​Working with John Connolly (Pyllon Ultra)
​Western States vs. UTMB—which one gets the vote?
​His Holy Grail: aiming for the Hardrock 100 lottery

​Hit subscribe, lace up your trainers, and enjoy our blether!

Things are heating up on the Young Hearts Run Free Podcast as we look ahead to the Chilli Trail Race, a Halloween running fiesta packed with mud, stream crossings, costumes and plenty of good craic.
Before getting into the race preview, Steven shares tales from running aboard a cruise ship, complete with moving Strava maps, relentless laps and some serious headwinds. We also celebrate ten years of the Activ8 Thursday night running group and reflect on the friendships, conversations and sense of community created by running together.
John then recaps a memorable day at the Newton Road Runners 10K. Despite torrential rain, he smashed his sub 60 target with a finishing time of 52:48
More importantly, the club’s annual 3k, 10k and race raffle in memory of Cat Gaskell raised an incredible £1,205 for John’s Campaign Against Living Miserably fundraiser.
The main course is a detailed preview of the Chilli Trail Race. John and Steven cover:
Registration, parking, photo ID and bag-drop arrangements
What to expect from the mixed-terrain 10K route
Mud, hills, stream crossings and potentially slippery conditions
The race’s Day of the Dead theme and Halloween costume prizes
Coffee, cakes and chilli products at the start and finish
The community atmosphere that keeps runners returning each year
The course records set by James Waldie, 37:53, and Elizabeth Beattie, 45:17, in 2021
Why this sold-out event feels more like a running party than a conventional race
Whether you’re chasing a fast time, planning an elaborate costume or simply looking forward to getting gloriously muddy, this episode has everything you need before taking on the Chilli.
Bring on Halloween. Bring on the Day of the Dead. Bring on the Chilli!

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 breaking one of Scotland’s toughest endurance records, Jamie reflects on the planning, setbacks, support crew, fundraising, sleep deprivation and resilience required to make it happen.
We also discuss her frightening experience with rhabdomyolysis during the Tor des Géants, the lessons it taught her about listening to her body, and the importance of knowing when to stop.
This is a conversation about adventure, community, perspective and finding the courage to follow what Jamie calls "the glimmer of maybe".
In this episode:
Breaking the self-propelled Munro Round record
The inspiration of John Kynaston and Donnie Campbell
Building a community of over 100 supporters
Fundraising for World Bicycle Relief
Recovery, resilience and the realities of endurance sport
Rhabdomyolysis: the warning signs every endurance athlete should know

Jamie's Fundraiser for World Bicycle Relief

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 Anglo Celtic Plate, finding her place in the ultrarunning community, and discovering a competitive edge she never knew she had.Along the way, Alice delivers plenty of wisdom for runners of every level, from balancing training with a demanding career to learning not to sweat the small stuff when life inevitably gets in the way.Humble, thoughtful and quietly brilliant, Alice's story is a reminder that success rarely follows a straight line.
Sometimes the setbacks teach us more than the victories.

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 distances ranging from 5K to 96 miles. We also explore the power of community, the realities of training around family and work, and why some of the greatest running role models are the people quietly getting it done in everyday life.
A brilliant conversation filled with wisdom, humility and plenty of laughs.
Talking Points:
Finding confidence and community through a running club
Progressing from 5K to the West Highland Way
Learning from injury and difficult races
Strength, mobility and sustainable training
The mental challenge of racing hard
Balancing running with work and family
Women’s visibility in endurance sport
Shoes, heart-rate monitors and sacred Monday rest days
It’s not going to get easier. You’re just going to get better at coping with how hard it is - Susan Naysmith, 2026