West Highland Way Race 2025 Winner Rebecca Hormann - Young Hearts Run Free Podcast - Season 13 Eps 11
In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Hormann, winner of the 2025 West Highland Way Race. Rebecca shares her journey, the challenges she faced, and the triumphs she celebrated along the 96-mile trail from Milngavie to Fort William. Tune in to hear about her training regimen, race day experiences, and what it takes to be a champion in one of Scotland's most gruelling ultra-marathon.We discuss Rebecca’s background and how she got into ultra-running, her globetrotting, previous achievements across a multi discipline of races. We look at an overview of the WHW race and its significance, how Rebecca preparation and training leading up to the race, by running 146 mile at a backyard a few weeks before!The discussion around key moments and turning points during the race is quite fascinating, we hear about the early lead by previous winner Ally McGill and how Rebecca managed to close the gap Challenges faced along the route, including the heat and terrain , strategies for maintaining focus and motivation during long-distance races, coping with physical strain and mental fatigue.We speak about the role of Rebecca's support crew Jack and Jarlath and their contributions to her success.Rebecca’s key takeaways from the 2025 race and her plans for future races and personal goals are followed by Rebecca's advice for aspiring ultra-runners with some final thoughts and words of encouragement.Take an hour and a half out of your day or lace up and take Rebecca with you on your run, this is a belter, a not to be missed episode from YHRF. Enjoy.Rebecca’s Instagram
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1:44:56
Ben Harrison - Young Hearts Run Free Podcast - Season 13 Eps 10
Join us for an inspiring conversation with the incredible Ben Harrison, who recently dominated the gruelling Beyond the Ultimate Highland Ultra in Knoydart, Scotland! Ben, a seasoned ultra-runner, shares his insights and experiences from tackling one of the UK's most remote and challenging multi-day races. From battling the elements in the rugged Scottish Highlands to the mental fortitude required for a three-day, self-supported ultramarathon, Ben gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to not just compete, but to win.Ben describes the incredible, yet brutal, landscape and the logistical challenges of a race accessible only by boat or foot. We delve into his training, nutrition, and mental strategies for a multi-day event. Ben recounts the highs and lows of each of the three stages, including any unexpected challenges or particularly memorable moments that defined his victory. He finished with a combined overall time of 16 hours and 47 minutes, demonstrating remarkable consistency across all stages.This isn't Ben's first win with Beyond the Ultimate, having also clinched the Jungle Ultra in Peru! Ultra-running is as much a mental game as a physical one. Ben shares his tips and techniques for staying resilient when facing extreme fatigue and challenging conditions.Ben offers valuable advice for listeners considering their first ultra or looking to tackle a multi-day event.Ben Harrison is an accomplished ultra-runner known for his impressive performances in some of the world's toughest races. His recent victory at the Beyond the Ultimate Highland Ultra in Knoydart in 2025 adds to a remarkable list of achievements, including winning the Jungle Ultra and completing the challenging Beyond the Ultimate Global Race Series. He is an inspiring figure in the ultra-running community, demonstrating incredible endurance, strategic racecraft, and a deep love for pushing human limits in wild environments.
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1:19:03
Billy Gibson - Young Hearts Run Free Podcast - Season 13 Eps 09
This week, join your hosts JC and Stevie Boy as they kick things off with some usual banter, catching you up on all the latest happenings before welcoming a well known face of the Scottish running scene: Billy Gibson!Hailing from Dundee, proud Hawkhill Harrier Billy is renowned for his feats in ultra-marathons and longer distances. But for Billy, running isn't just about personal bests, racing and the thrill of the finish line; it's about the vibrant community it's brought into his life and the lifelong friendships he's forged along the way.With this year's West Highland Way Race just around the corner, Billy shares his fascinating recollections and insights from his own epic experiences tackling this iconic ultra. Get ready for some serious inspiration and a few laughs as this incredibly likeable guy – serious about his running but even more serious about its positive impact on his life and well-being – takes us on his journey along the road and into the trails. With shwanks talk, kit check and nutritional hacks galore you won't want to miss it!Aaron's Blue Brazil fundraising link
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1:42:43
Bobby Madden A Marathon Send Off - Young Hearts Run Free Podcast - Season 13 Eps 8
And we're back! Time to join your favourite running podcast hosts, Stevie Boy and John, as they kick off another episode of Young Hearts Run Free with their bants and a take a dive into the latest happenings across the running world! They've got all the chat you didn't know you needed. They even cram in a wee listeners running rant!Then, lace up your metaphorical shoes as we welcome our very special guest, Bobby Madden! You might know him from the football pitch, but get ready to hear about his incredible journey from professional referee to dedicated runner.Recently retired from 20 plus years in top flight refereeing we get to find out a bit about some of his career highs on the pitch. Things do get a little Messi before we get on with the running chat!After sharing his own running story Bobby then lets us hear all about his recent experience taking on the Edinburgh Marathon. A first bash at 26.2 miles and one that won't be forgotten in a hurry.Running for the much loved charity Beatson Cancer we get to find out how he transitioned his fitness from referee to marathon finisher. With a running pedigree going back to his school days we are intrigued to find out how he managed to pull out his tremendous finish time in Edinburgh.Full of beans about his recent experience we discover that Bobby took advice from some well kent faces during his first foray into marathon training and kept an eye on his improving fitness levels with some watchful oversight into his data and metrics.We've known Bobby for a while, some of you football fans will too, but to get to chat to him and find common ground on his running journey was a right breath of fresh air. Open, honest and keen to learn more we reckon this is just the start for the amiable East Kilbride lad.Lace up, tune in and enjoy!!
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1:48:27
Lessons from the Cateran Trail: A JC Debrief - Young Hearts Run Free Podcast - Season 13 Eps 7
This week on Young Hearts Run Free, your dynamic duo, JC and Stevie Boy, are holding down the fort with no guest – meaning more unfiltered running chat just for you!We're diving headfirst into the world of recent races and achievements from across the globe, dissecting the latest happenings.Get ready for some top YHRF bants as we preview the upcoming Edinburgh Marathon Festival, offering our unique take on what promises to be a fantastic event?! Plus, you know we couldn't skip out on your favourite segments, including a mind-blowing 'Race or Not?'.Then, get ready for a candid and compelling debrief as John C bravely opens up about his recent experience at the Cateran Trail Ultra. It didn't go to plan – cut-offs were missed, and the finish line remained elusive. John shares what he learned from the DNF, the emotions of the experience, and the (un)expected camaraderie found on the trails. What do you do when a race doesn't go your way? Tune in to find out!And that's not all! We're excited to announce a brand new competition where you could win a coveted spot in the Kirkcaldy Parks Running Festival 2025! Head over to our social channels to enter and grab your chance to be on the start line.So lace up, tune in, and join John and Stevie Boy for another action-packed episode of Young Hearts Run Free!
The thoughts and chat of John Cassidy and Steven Watt (and a range of guests) as they give their take on the world of running, marathoning and ultra marathoning.
UK