Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

Steven Watt
  • 4.8 (80)
  • Fitness
  • Updated weekly

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.

  1. Summer Spine Challenger North with Serena Broadway, Season 15, Eps 16

    13 hr ago

    Summer Spine Challenger North with Serena Broadway, Season 15, Eps 16

    Trail runner and endurance athlete Serena Broadway joins the podcast to share her journey into ultra running and her experience taking on the Summer Spine Challenger North, a brutal 160 mile race along the Pennine Way.From Couch to 5K beginnings to navigating bogs, sleep deprivation, and blisters, Serena reflects on resilience, community, and what it really takes to keep moving when everything says stop. ⛰️ In This Episode• How Serena went from beginner runner to ultra athlete• Discovering trail running in the Pentlands• First ultra: Ultra X Scotland 50K• What the Spine Race series is all about• Inside the Challenger North (160 miles, Hardraw → Kirk Yetholm)• Real race conditions: bogs, weather, night running• Managing feet, nutrition, and fatigue• Mental strategies for staying in the game• The role of community and camaraderie in ultras• Representation and belonging in trail running 🔥 Race Highlights• Sunset run toward Tan Hill• Nighttime bogs and soaked feet• Cross Fell and exposed terrain• The legendary Alston checkpoint lasagne• Emotional high point in the Cheviot Hills• Final push to the wall at Kirk Yetholm 🤝 Community SpotlightSerena shares the impact of Black Trail Runners, highlighting:• Feeling seen and supported• The importance of representation in trail running• Creating space for more inclusive participation• The role of allies in growing the sport🏁 Memorable MomentI didn’t know if I could do it… but that’s kind of the point - Serena Broadway, 2026 Find out more about the Black Trail Runners Photo: Instagram: @ultra.im.possible

    1hr 41min
  2. Montane Summer Spine Challenger South Debrief - Season 15 Eps 15

    19 Jun

    Montane Summer Spine Challenger South Debrief - Season 15 Eps 15

    Something a little different this week as John Cassidy and Rachel Macpherson sit down for a raw and honest debrief just hours after completing the Montane Summer Spine Challenger South. From months of preparation and recce weekends, to bogs, blisters, hallucinations, cow encounters and unforgettable sunrises, they relive every high and low of their 108-mile journey along the Pennine Way. Rachel reflects on an incredible race that saw her finish 3rd female, while John shares the emotional rollercoaster of reaching Hardraw after nearly 51 hours on the move. Expect stories of: 🏔️ The beauty and brutality of the Pennine Way 🥾 Checkpoint life and race strategy 🌅 Sunrise moments and dark-night struggles 🐄 Cow confidence (or lack of it!) 😵 Sleep deprivation and surreal hallucinations ❤️ The support, friendships and unique spirit of the Spine community A conversation recorded while the memories were still fresh, the legs still sore, and the emotions still very real. Two runners. One extraordinary adventure.

    2h 15m
  3. Running the Length of Scotland with Gregor Yates - Season 15 Eps 14

    12 Jun

    Running the Length of Scotland with Gregor Yates - Season 15 Eps 14

    What does it take to run the entire length of Scotland? In this powerful episode of the Young Hearts Run FreePodcast, we sit down with Gregor Yates, who completed anextraordinary challenge: running roughly 415 miles from Kirk Yetholm to CapeWrath, covering a marathon a day for 17 consecutive days. But this wasn’t just about endurance. Gregor took on this journey in memory of his mum and toraise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, turning grief into purpose and miles into meaning. 🏃‍♂️ In this episode, we cover: How Gregor went from 2:21 marathon runner to multi-day ultra challengePlanning and navigating St Cuthberts Way, the Scottish National Trail, West Highland Way & Cape Wrath terrainThe physical toll: injury, fatigue, and running through painFuel, kit, and what it’s like running with a pack for the first timeThe emotional side of running in memory of a loved oneFinding joy beyond pace, numbers, and PBs💬 A moment that says it all: “If I could keep one running memory for the rest of my life, it would be this.” 📍 Follow Gregor’s journey: Instagram: @trossachs_trails Support the fundraiser

    1hr 32min
  4. The "Accidental" Ultra Runner with Callum Clarke - Season 15 Eps 13

    29 May

    The "Accidental" Ultra Runner with Callum Clarke - Season 15 Eps 13

    You go out for a casual 5K during lockdown to clear your head, and suddenly you wake up a few years later with a 96-mile trail race on your calendar. Classic mistake. This week, Steven is joined by Callum Clarke to chat about his absolutely rapid, slightly chaotic, and totally inspiring rise through the running ranks. Callum went from chasing a football around to knocking out a casual ~2:50 road marathon in Paris, before realizing his true calling was getting muddy on the trails. We’re getting into the weeds on: The "Accidental" Ultra Runner: How a daily 5K challenge snowballed into top-10 finishes at brutal events like the Devil of the Highlands. The School of Hard Knocks: Honest chat about the early disasters—pacing screw-ups, fueling fails, and learning the hard way that you can't just wing a 50-miler. Enter Coach Fiona: How getting some proper adult supervision (aka structured coaching) saved him from overtraining and actually got him focusing on... stretching? Who knew. The Big Dance: With the iconic West Highland Way race just four weeks away, we look at Callum’s master plan—from back-to-back hill smashers on Arran to sorting out a support crew that can tolerate him for 96 miles. Grab a brew, lace up, and get this one in your lugs! Callums Fundraiser for Prostate Cancer

    1 hr
  5. UTS Uncovered with Mel Sykes - Podiums, Storms and a Bit of a Twix - Season 15 Eps 12

    22 May

    UTS Uncovered with Mel Sykes - Podiums, Storms and a Bit of a Twix - Season 15 Eps 12

    This week on Young Hearts Run Free, we’re joined by our Yorkshire Correspondent Mel Sykes to unpack her incredible run at the Ultra Trail Snowdonia 100K. After a last-minute entry, brutal Welsh mountain conditions and some seriously technical terrain, Mel powered her way to a🥉 3rd female finish in 19:41:53. Expect: Wild weather, boulder fields & midnight (ish) finishesThe moment everything turns from “just a run” into a podium battleA full breakdown of pacing, fuelling (yes… gels AND Twix), and race tacticsHonest reflections on confidence, mindset and finding your drivePlus: chaotic intros, Yorkshire banter, and why coloured head torches might be the future of racing. Tune in for laughs, lessons, and one seriously inspiring performance. “I don’t like racing… but I liked that bit.” Mel Sykes 2026

    1hr 19min
  6. Spine Challenger Update + HUGE MERCH NEWS - Season 15 Eps 11

    15 May

    Spine Challenger Update + HUGE MERCH NEWS - Season 15 Eps 11

    It’s a just the two of us Steven and John special this week with a fun packed catch up episode. We kick off recapping the launch of the Auchterarder Running Festival 2026, where the 10K has already sold out and limited places remain for the Double Dare, while entries for the Half Marathon are still open. This year’s theme? New York City baby🍎 Sensational news on the merch front too… YHRF is dropping its first-ever technical running t-shirt, Scotland-inspired, seriously limited and available to pre order from 7pm on Sunday 17 May. First come, first served! tune in for the details! We also celebrate the incredible Megan Boxall, who has just completed 200 marathons in 200 days around the UK 👏 The main feature we cover is a dive aff the top board into John’s prep for the Spine Challenger South (just the 108 miles!): With race day fast approaching, John shares where he’s at physically and mentally, and also...what comes next. We also cover his fundraising efforts and discuss his growing hair, which quite frankly is getting oot oh control! And we love it! Plus: Kit chat and why the Pennine Way might not be as brutal as everyone says......have we been lied tae? Sign up for ARF Megan Boxall Tracker (Completed it mate!) JC's Fundraiser for CALM Spine Race Womens Webinar

    52 min
  7. Beecraigs Backyard Ultra with Kayleigh Webster - Season 15 Eps 10

    8 May

    Beecraigs Backyard Ultra with Kayleigh Webster - Season 15 Eps 10

    From Couch to 5K to Race DirectorKayleigh Webster joins us to share the story behind the inaugural Beecraigs Backyard Ultra — a sell-out event built on community, grit, and pure love of running.🔑 Highlights🏃 What a backyard ultra really is (last one standing!)💡 How Beecraigs BYU came to life🔥 150 places sold out in 22 days💯 19 runners hit 100 miles🥇 Craig McQueen takes the win💛 Why It MattersEveryone starts tied for firstCommunity is greater than competitionOrdinary people doing extraordinary things“You’re only limited by the limits you set yourself.” Kayleigh Webster 2026🔮 What’s next?Beecraigs BYU is likely back for 2027, and demand will be BIG 👀 Connect with Kayleigh Website: runsmileinspire.com Instagram: @run.smile.inspire and @thehappydietMegan Boxall Run Britain Tracker

    1hr 35min
  8. Boston Marathon Truths with Karl Hodgson - Season 15 Eps 9

    1 May

    Boston Marathon Truths with Karl Hodgson - Season 15 Eps 9

    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 2026 Megan Boxall Runs Britain Tracker

    1hr 57min
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4.8
out of 5
80 Ratings

About

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.

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