Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

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 2026Megan Boxall Runs Britain Tracker

In this episode, John and Steven look back on an unforgettable weekend at the Schneider Paris Marathon 2026. From elite-level organisation and iconic Parisian scenery to injury management, mindset battles, charity fundraising, and the magic of marathon community — this is a deep dive into what makes marathon running so special. The episode begins with a heartfelt tribute to a much-loved member of the ultrarunning community before shifting into a full Paris Marathon debrief, race storytelling, and reflections on why we keep coming back to the start line.Remembering David Parrish ⁠⁠David's Just Giving Page⁠🥐 Grab a croissant and a foam roller — we’re heading to Paris (and very sore quads) as we debrief the 2026 Paris Marathon: iconic sights, techno tunnels, and enough maranoia to power the Metro.🏁 Is Paris the New Major?Move over, Boston. With 60,000 runners, 145 nationalities, and in Steven’s words, “the best toilet provision in marathon history”, Paris is making a serious play for the crown.🗼 The Route: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Seine.🎶 The Vibe: Mile‑17 tunnel rave. Berlin club energy, Paris style.🚿 The Water: No cups. Just high‑pressure hoses. Nothing humbles you like being power‑washed while chasing 8 minute miles.🚑 The Hamstring from HellFour weeks out, Steven’s hamstring clocked off. Three weeks of stationary biking, physio prayers, and zero expectations later, he rolled to the start line to take on the 26.2 miles.⏱️ Marathon Maths Is RealDespite everything… 3:29:29How? Peak Marathon Maths, spending the final 6 miles dividing 0.1 into your remaining will to live.Verdict: A solid 20 mile run followed by a horrible 10K from the depths of despair.💙 The Real Winners🎗️ The Cause: £23k+ raised for Rooprai Spinal Trust. Huge shift, lads. Donation page still open

In this episode we sit down with ultra-running powerhouse Anna Troup, winner of both Summer and Winter Spine Races including the 2025 Summer Spine outright. Anna opens up about training in the Lake District, navigating injuries, managing menopause, building resilience, and rediscovering her running identity.Episode HighlightsAnna’s journey from Oxford rowing → triathlon → ultrasLiving and training in GrasmereWhy she prefers early morning sessionsHow cross-training keeps her running as she gets olderFirst ultra: Hardmoors 60, “baptism of fire”Learning navigation the hard way on her first SpineWinning the 2021, 2022 & 2025 Summer Spine, plus 2026 Winter Spine (1st female)Handling recurring stress fractures & lessons from menopauseWhy women thrive in long ultrasCows, storms, lost moments, and the art of problem‑solving in big racesFuelling: “Rice, cheese and butter — that’s my magic bowl”Her go‑to kit: DexShell socks & ASICS TrabucoMegan Boxall Tracker

This week, Steven and John take the podcast on the road for a very special first: recording live from a professional podcast studio at Stravaig Sessions near Aberuthven. Joining them for this landmark episode is Lee Campbell.Lee is widely recognised across the Scottish running community for his infectious passion for trail running, his generous ‘Pentlands Socials’, and his adventures both at home and abroad. This episode dives deep into Lee’s story, humour, and heart - from learning to run after leaving football behind, taking part in the infamous Bed Run, and then taking to the trails and scaling alpine passes on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Did someone say ‘fucking nature!’Lee shares his incredible journey from five a side footballer to adventure driven trail runner, opening up about everything from his first virtual marathon on his birthday to the life changing joy of adventuring on the trails. We explore how the Pentlands became his playground, how his inclusive social runs have opened the hills to hundreds, and why he believes adventures beat races every time. We hear the story behind the Dinosaur route, tips for newcomers to the Pentlands, and is it Kips…or Chickens?Expect stories of friendship, altitude, salted tatties, iconic Scottish hills, creative tattoos, community spirit, and a whole lot of laughter. Whether you’re a seasoned ultrarunner or someone dreaming of your first trail pootle, this episode is full of inspiration, honesty, humour, and heart.Lee on InstagramLee on StravaRecorded at Stravaig Sessions

​🎙️ SEASON 15 KICKS-OFF🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚽️​The wait is over, the squad is named, and we are officially kicking off Season 15! You know us for the tarmac and the trails, but this season, we’re bringing a different kind of energy to the podcast.​🏆 The Season Theme: The Summer of ‘26​With Scotland heading to their first World Cup since 1998, we are leaning into our obsession with the beautiful game. This season is a tribute to Football, Fans, and Finish Lines. Expect plenty of tactical nods, "injury time" drama, and World Cup fever—even if our feet are still firmly in our trainers.​🏔️ The Opening Match: Britain’s Most Brutal​To start the season, we’re going 268 miles deep into the Winter Spine Race on the Pennine Way. It’s the "Champions League" of endurance, and we’ve got two absolute star players in the booth: Llinos Proctor and Ross Beveridge.​In the Season Premiere:​The Warm-up: How to train for 268 miles of ice and grit.​The Match Report: Full-blown hallucinations, star-filled skies, and the emotional "final whistle" at Kirk Yetholm.​The "Twelth Man": A celebration of ordinary people doing the extraordinary.​The Winter Spine - It’s not just a race; it’s a 268-mile cup final where the terrain and the weather present the toughest of opponents.​🔗 SUPPORTClick the link below to visit Llinos’s Fundraiser and show some love!Lllinos Fundraiser Link

In this episode, John and Steven sit down with one of the most accomplished ultra runners in the world, Beth Pascall. Known for her calm demeanour (earning her the school nickname "Millpond"), Beth shares her journey from medical school rowing to shattering course records at Western States and the Bob Graham Round. We dive into the mental and physical grit required to win iconic races in gruelling conditions and what it’s like to balance a career as a paediatrician with elite-level athletics.Career highlights2021 Western States 100 Champion: Finished first female in a time of 17:10:41.Bob Graham Round Record Holder (2020): Set a then-record of 14:34:26, shaving 50 minutes off Jasmin Paris’s time.Spine Race Winner: Winner of the notoriously difficult winter Spine Race.Cape Wrath FKT: Completed the trail with Damien Hall in 4 days, 9 hours, and 43 minutes.Key Topics and HighlightsThe "Millpond" MentalityBeth explains how her naturally calm personality has been an asset in ultra running. Despite the high stakes of world-class competition, she views herself as a "normal person" and remains largely unphased when racing against global superstars.The 2021 Western States VictoryBeth recounts her legendary 2021 win during one of the hottest years in the race's history.The "Wobble": She admits to having a major physical struggle at Mile 70 due to the heat, where she actually had to sit down for a few minutes to lower her core temperature.The Finish: She didn’t feel certain of the win until Mile 94 when she learned she had a significant gap over second-place finisher Ruth Croft.The Bob Graham Round: Beth describes her record-breaking Bob Graham Round as her most enjoyable running experience. She talks about how the running community comes together to support a single runner, featuring pacers and volunteers who were, in many cases, total strangers.Nutrition and the Evolution of the SportThe conversation explores how much sports science has changed in just a few years. Beth discusses the trend of high-carbohydrate intake (90g+ per hour) and shares her sceptical but open-minded take on modern supplements like ketones and bicarb.Technical Terrain Over Flat RoadsDespite winning flat races like the 24-hour Self-Transcendence, Beth admits she doesn't actually enjoy road running. She highlights the Glencoe Skyline as her favourite type of "gnarly" course.Beth on InstagramMegan Boxall Run Britain Tracker

In this episode, we welcome back ultrarunning legend Debbie Martin Consani for her 9th (NINTH) appearance on the show. As the 2026 Winter Spine Race unfolds, Debbie provides her expert perspective on what makes this nasty 268-mile trek along the Pennine Way so unique. From the deep thaw slush of the current race to her own legendary 2022 victory, Debbie shares insights on gear, the psychology of 'being bothered,' and why sometimes the best race plan is having no plan at all.Key Highlights & TopicsThe Current "Thaw" Year: Debbie discusses how the 2026 race transitioned from heavy snow to a deep thaw, creating treacherous slush and rising river levels.The "Nasty" Pennine Way: A deep dive into why this trail is particularly arduous, featuring the mud suction that can cause shin issues.The Philosophy of "Be Bothered": Insights into race management and the importance of self care e.g. if your feet/hands are cold, be bothered to fix this before it becomes a race ending problem.Breaking News: Discussion regarding Sarah Porter who was removed from the Spine Race for safety reasons due to threats related to her charitable work. See link at the end of show notes.Fuelling 268 Miles: Debbie reveals her go-to calorie-dense snacks, including Bournville chocolate and 500-calorie flapjacks.Reliving the 2022 Win: Debbie reflects on her victory, finishing in 104 hours with only 7 hours of sleep across four and a half days.As discussed, the Run Ultra Sarah Porter interview

It's part one. It's long, you made it happen, it's brilliant...

It's time, The YHRF UnAwards are officially open for you entries, submissions, call them what you want...geez it using the link below!UnAwards 2025

In this incredibly open and honest episode, we sit down with guest Caroline McKay for a chat that spans her roots on the Isle of Mull, and the profound emotional journey that led her to ultra running. Caroline shares her recent success at the California Fall Classic and the powerful motivation she carries with her on the trails.Caroline reveals she "hated running" early in life and discusses her upbringing on the Isle of Mull, living an outdoors lifestyle with her marine biologist parents and working on their shellfish farm. Caroline recounts moving to Manchester at 17 to work in a nightclub and also work in fashion, and how she went down a "disruptive path" involving heavy smoking, drinking, and substance use. Caroline talks about moving back to Edinburgh, being a major milestone for her health. A friend planting the seed about the 53-mile Highland Fling race introduced her to ultra running.Caroline speaks about getting into ultra running podcasts like Trail Runner Nation, Ultra Runner podcast, and Talk Ultra. She mentions being inspired by Ellie Greenwood and the empowering feeling of seeing women like her succeed. There is a brief mention of Caroline's own podcast, Of Mountains and Minds, and her experience interviewing the incredible Jasmin Paris.An impulsive, wild story about a trip to the US to support a record-breaking trans-American run attempt which ended in a mess, a pulled sponsorship, and an NDA.We discuss running the West Highland Way and getting into the Western States 100 lottery for 2013. She talks about her training and preparation, including running the Great Wilderness Challenge (23 miles).We have a deep dive into Carolines fuelling strategy, including using Huma Chia gels, salted potatoes, and salt tabs.Caroline shares her motivation, including the goal of not having another DNF (mentioning the Georgia Death Race and UTMB) and drawing strength from her kids.Caroline shares her pride in her recent California Fall Classic race, hitting her goal of going sub-16 hours with a time of 15:48

Welcome back for the episode you've all been waiting for! This week, the hosts dive into a tale of extreme physical endurance, mental warfare, and sacrificed beards. John gives us the full, chaotic debrief from his 100-mile attempt on the Mark Cockbain 400 metre track event, while Steven wonders if shaving your face is a viable streamlining tactic for ultraunning.We dive head-first to "The Chilli Trail" for an update on the 100% sold-out UK premier 10K trail event. Steven gives a spicy route report, confirming the ground is soft and predicting a glorious, spectacular mud-fest. This also leads to a discussion on the immediate need for Hoka wellies and you find out how to get your hands on a limited-edition sticker and a spot in the 2026 event.Then, the main topic: John’s Track 100 Debrief. John recounts his experience from The Track, he explains the crucial lessons learned from last year: how running in the outside lane added miles to his watch—and why sticking to the white line is essential for any aspiring 403-lap lunatic. John reveals his last-minute race mantra ("slow and smooth" ), his absolute lowest point of the run, which he combated by playing games with other runners and also receiving an surprise 15-second video message from the legendary Jasmin Paris.It’s a tale of physical endurance, mental warfare, and not wanting to disappoint your coach (shout out to the phenomenal Fiona Watt!)

"Each day, regardless of what happened, each day was a new day and it was just reset and start again." Gilly Marshall - October 2025Have you ever faced a challenge so tough it left you wondering if you had what it takes? Do you walk away, or do you go back for more?In this incredibly inspiring episode, we sit down with the phenomenal Gilly Marshall, a cornerstone of the Scottish ultra-running community. Gilly shares her amazing journey from a self-professed non-runner, using the "run a lamppost, walk a lamppost" method, to taking on one of the world's toughest mountain races, the Dragon's Back.This isn't just a race report; it's a powerful story about resilience, community, and the mental fortitude required to face down your dragons. Gilly talks candidly about her first attempt at the Dragon's Back in 2023, which ended in disappointment amid a brutal heatwave , and her courageous return this year to face the beast again in wildly different conditions.If you need a dose of inspiration and a reminder that your mindset is your greatest asset, this is the episode for you.Dragons Back Race

Four Scots. Seven days. One unforgettable adventure.Join Bobby, James, Allan, and Scott as they take on the Pyrenees Stage Run — 220km of mountains, mishaps, and memories.This episode dives into the heart of camaraderie: from missed registrations and travel chaos to bunk bed banter, altitude struggles, and the power of a good laugh.Hear how teamwork, inside jokes, and unwavering support carried them through epic climbs, wild descents, and every challenge the Pyrenees could throw at them.If you love stories of friendship, resilience, and the magic that happens when you stick together, this is the episode for you.Bonus material, find out who really won by 11 seconds!!Link to Pyrenees Stage Run Website - www.psr.run