Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

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.

Jennifer talks about the coaches, clubs and family who helped shape her running career, the challenge of balancing competitive racing with work and motherhood, her love of community events like the Auchterarder Running Festival, and why, after nearly 30 years in the sport, she's still getting up before dawn to chase ambitious goals.

Packed with inspiration, humour, parkrun adventures, ultra-running stories and a healthy dose of Scottish running culture, this is a brilliant conversation about dedication, resilience and the lifelong joy of putting one foot in front of the other.

Scottish Parkruns on YouTube

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 to ultrarunning after more than three years away from competition following a serious foot injury and a long battle to rebuild confidence. Catherine, fresh from a busy year balancing podiatry studies with racing, approached the event as an adventure, and what happened for both soon became a true partnership, with the pair deciding to tackle the entire race side by side. The conversation explores the practical realities of multi-day racing: recce runs, training around busy lives, managing sleep deprivation, checkpoint strategy, foot care and the challenge of staying fuelled over four days on the Southern Upland Way. The duo share candid stories of boggy nights, emotional low points, surprise acts of kindness from volunteers and locals, and the comfort of tea, chip butties and good company when things became difficult. One of the most powerful moments described is where exhaustion, lack of sleep and some self-doubt almost brought Nicola's race to an end. Through patience, encouragement and a sunrise that lifted both spirits, the pair emerged stronger and went on to enjoy what they describe as one of the greatest days of trail running they have ever experienced. They also discuss the unique experience of racing as a team in an individual event. Far from hindering performance, running together proved transformative. By balancing each other's highs and lows, sharing laughs, hugs and countless conversations, they crossed the country as friends and crossed the finish line as even stronger ones.The episode finishes with reflections on recovery, gratitude, confidence and what the race taught them. Nicola speaks openly about rediscovering her love of running after injury, while Catherine shares how the experience reminded her that enjoyment can coexist with performance. Along the way there's plenty of dog chat too, featuring Turbo, Senna and newcomer Ted, the puppy already stealing hearts and sleep. Key Takeaways✅ Hard moments are temporary, even when they feel overwhelming.✅ Sharing the journey can make an impossible challenge achievable.✅ Recovery, food and foot care matter as much as fitness.✅ Gratitude can be a powerful performance tool.✅ Adventure is often richer when experienced with others.

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 fit became a life-changing passion that has delivered friendships, adventures and memories spanning nearly three decades.

The conversation explores the evolution of Scottish running, the growth of club culture, and why Alan believes joining a running club is one of the best decisions anyone can make. From championship cross-country races to community spirit and lifelong friendships, he shares what makes the Scottishrunning scene so special.

We also dive into Alan’s own racing career, including chasing a sub-three hour marathon, battling heat exhaustion in Berlin, learning lessons the hard way, and finally taking on the legendary West Highland Way Race. Alan reflects on the highs, lows and magical moments of one of the toughest challenges he has ever completed.

Along the way there are stories of marauding GlenPark teammates, pie-related nicknames, celebrity encounters, and enough running folklore to keep you entertained from start to finish.

Key Takeaway

Running is never just about running. It's about community, friendship, shared experiences and the people who help carry you through the hard miles.

Whether you're chasing PBs, tackling ultras or simply thinking about joining your local club, this is a conversation that celebrates everything great about the Scottish running community.

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