Young Hearts Run Free Podcast

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

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

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 ARFMegan Boxall Tracker (Completed it mate!)JC's Fundraiser for CALMSpine Race Womens Webinar

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 KayleighWebsite: runsmileinspire.comInstagram: @run.smile.inspire and @thehappydietMegan Boxall Run Britain Tracker

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