Fiona Horsfield recently won the women's race at the Northern Traverse 2025, a gruelling 300km (187 miles) endurance event across three national parks in the UK, Fiona describes in great detail her journey from St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay in April 2025.

Fiona has also won the 2024 Summer Montane Spine Challenge North and came second at the 2023 Cheviot Goat, it could be said it’s all just crept up on Fiona?

Fiona is a member of the Ochils Mountain Rescue Team and we spend some time speaking through what this means to Fiona and also how people can get involved.

The Northern Traverse 2025 is the main focus of our conversation and we speak about the highs and lows and the in-between bits. A number of varying strategies and challenges are faced during a 300km event, Fiona describes how she coped manged and overcome these to take first female place and finish 4th overall in a time of 54:12:21

Fiona talks through her training, preparation and planning for the Northern Traverse 2025, shares insights into her training, nutrition and hydration strategies, including the mental preparation for her endurance races.

We speak about how Fiona manages her personal life alongside her demanding training schedule, and how important it is to have the support from family and friends.

What’s next for Fiona? It’s exciting, it’s big, listen in to find out…

image courtesy of Ourea Events

Right then, buckle up buttercups, because this week on Young Hearts Run Free, John and Stevie Boy are joined by a proper ray of sunshine on two legs – the incredible Michaela Trojanova!

Get ready to be seriously inspired by Michaela's infectious enthusiasm for all things running. But this isn't just about pounding pavements; Michaela has a fantastic mission to make every mile count by picking up litter as she goes. Yip, she's a plogger.

We delve into her motivation for combining her love of running with her passion for a cleaner planet, and trust us, her energy is absolutely contagious! Prepare to feel a pang of guilt next time you see a stray crisp packet!

And if that wasn't enough to blow your socks off, Michaela is also on an unbelievable run streak, clocking in daily miles for almost FIVE years! John and Stevie Boy quiz her on the mental and physical fortitude it takes to maintain such an incredible feat.

We also find out all about her own running journey and her step up through the distances as she readies herself to take on the iconic Devil o the Highlands footrace this very weekend!

So, whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner, a casual jogger, or just someone who wants a dose of pure positivity, this episode is guaranteed to leave you feeling motivated and maybe even a little bit more inclined to grab a bin bag on your next outing. Tune in for laughter, inspiration, and a whole lot of running chat with the brilliant Michaela Trojanova!

Martin Butcher, he simply loves running. Martin will have a go at any distance from 5k to 96 miles...and he does. Martin describes himself as a lucky runner who has got to do so many things through running.

Martins interest in running started as a result of a venture scouts trip of a lifetime to climb Mount Aconcagua (22,838 ft) in Argentina in the year 2000, and the fitness bug was caught.

From Argentina to the Dunfermline half marathon in 2003 and the running journey continued from there to the present day.

A massive part of Martins running journey is the connections and friends Martin has made. It's no surprise that Martin is a founding member of #teamlife

We speak a lot about the West Highland Way during the chat, Martin has a deep love for that specific Scottish trail, but he will also happily run a mile in 4mins 52 10 days after running 53 miles!

Supporting others who run is another passion of Martins, and he quite happily drives back and forth between checkpoints making sure his runner (and others) is fuelled and ready to go for the next section of the event.

Martin describes his favourite event as the West Highland Way of 2023, and it's an edge of the seat listen as he describes the highs, lows and occasional diva moment along the way!

Favourite film and book for Martin...Forrest Gump is the answer to both, maybe Forrest inspired the world famous Butcher Sprint, all is described by the man himself in this episode.

A well kent face on the Scottish running scene, Martin is never shy to share a smile, a cuddle and words of encouragement to anyone who might benefit from one or all three.

Inspirational too in so many ways for friends, family and people he may never even know. Martin is there for ya!

An example...Paul Snelling Martin's cousin caught the bug after seeing what Martin was up to, and Paul is in the middle of running 31 marathons in 31 days raising funds for Zurich Community Trust. Fundraising link if you want to donate

Did we mention Portsmouth FC ?

This episode will give you all the good vibes...enjoy

#teamlife #gooniesneversaydie

As Season 12 reaches its climax we continue our globetrotting continues. This week we’re joined by Mexican ultra-marathon tour de force, Tania Carmona. She’s been on an incredible adventure this last 12 months and she’s here to tell us all.

Hailing from Mexico City Tania finds herself now based in Dubai, a destination she reached via Glasgow, a city she called home for 4 years.

Tania hates running. Let’s get that straight, she just isn’t a fan. However, we find out that running brings her much joy and she embraces new experiences, mental challenges and broadening horizons.

Tania is about to leave for Chile’s Atacama Desert, finishing her year-long Grand Slam of Deserts PLUS quest. This thrilling expedition has taken her to some of the most challenging and diverse deserts around the world, including the Sahara, Gobi, Antarctic and Namib deserts.

Each location has tested her endurance and skills, and now she faces the final stretch in the arid and expansive Atacama Desert, known for its stark landscapes, ancient geoglyphs, and unique wildlife!

Such far flung adventures seems far off as we find out from Tania how she got bitten by the ultra-marathon bug during her time spent in Scotland, entranced by the beauty and remoteness of the landscapes. Who knew the Gobi dessert was just like a humid Pentlands?

Tania, who hosts her own podcast, Ultra Happy Podcast, provides valuable insights into her planning and execution of stage races she has completed. She discusses various aspects including training, logistics, motivation, and nutrition.

We had such a great chat with Tania about her unique ultra-marathoning approach, and we're sure you'll love it too!Tania Carmona InstagramLeodhais Macpherson VideoLeodhais Macpherson Fundraiser

Join us as we unpack an unforgettable journey to the land of the rising sun!

In this full debrief episode, we dive into the electrifying atmosphere of the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, where Stevie Boy crossed the finish line and claimed his coveted Six Star Medal, cementing his place in marathon history ;-)

We relive his exhilarating race day, the crowds, the sights and the emotional moment of completing the 6 World Marathon Majors.

But the adventure didn't stop at the finish line! We also share somehwat hilarious and insightful tales from his immersion into Japanese culture. From the mind-blowing tech of heated toilet seats to the intricate choreography of the Japanese train system, to the culinary delights (and occasional surprises!) of Japanese cuisine, get ready for a whirlwind tour of all things Tokyo.

We discuss:

* The highs (and lows) of the Tokyo Marathon race experience.

* The emotional significance of earning the Six Star Medal.

* Favourite (and most bewildering) cultural encounters.

* The sheer efficiency and meticulousness of Japanese public transport.

* A deep dive into the fascinating world of Japanese food, from ramen to… well, you’ll have to listen to find out!

Whether you're a seasoned marathoner, a travel enthusiast, or simply curious about Japanese culture, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and a healthy dose of cultural immersion. Tune in and experience the magic of Tokyo with us!

Renee joins us to speak about her new book Fuel For Thought, but in true YHRF style, we speak about so, so much more!

Renee is so giving with information and her opinions on a variety of subjects, and it's delivered in a way that everyone can understand,.

'Humans are not textbooks', keep that in mind...

Our relationship with running fluctuates doesn't it? Renee covers all of this in her new book, it's packed full of advice, facts and recipes, Renee has a passion to make food accessible, and her fantastic recipes include ingredients and methods that people don't have to think about to much.

Fuel for Thought, written from the perspective of Renee's life and learnings is a must have for your bookshelf, although it won't sit there too long, you'll be engrossed.

We speak about a newly released film entitled 'Unfiltered', the subject matter is Renee McGregor, the film has been created by Ellie Green of Summit Fever, it's showing around book/film festivals at present with general release scheduled for Summer 2025

We also speak about Renee's running, specifically her Lakeland 50 2024 experience, and guess what...July 2025 will see a return for Renee on that start line in Coniston.

Grab a cuppa, or lace up your running shoes and enjoy an hour and a bit with Renee McGregor.

#realbutnottrue

Fuel For Thought

Unfiltered

In this episode we welcome back Nicky Spinks and James Anderson to the podcast. We take the opporchancity to speak with Nicky about her recent 160 mile Winter Spine Challenger North win.

Nicky takes us through her thoughts about how she approached and managed this race by ignoring what other runners were doing and focusing on her own race, and it paid off big time for her.

James invited us down to the Galloway Hills way back in 2024 after we spoke with James post Lakeland 50/100 specifically about hill safety.

JC took up the offer to visit Galloway and take part in a training day for the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team. We discuss the geographic area covered by the team, what the experience is of being out in the hills as a rescue team, how they all work together to look out for us when the things you hope might never happen...happen!

We talk through the training practice and how the team rescued a quite famous casualty off the hill that day.

Nicky and the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team are race directors of the Bruce's Crown Race and The Heart of Granite (resurrected for April 2025)

All profits of the race will go to Galloway Mountain Rescue Team.

Donate to the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team

Enter Bruce's Crown Race

Enter The Heart of Granite Race

Stevie Boy gives us the lowdown in a bonus episode teaser for the full debrief to come...

For now though:

How was the marathon on the day?

How was the course?

How did it feel to get that six start dinner plate medal?

How was the weather?

How was the finish?

Make any pals?