The WHW Race Pod shares the stories, struggles and spirit of the West Highland Way Race, Scotland’s iconic 95-mile ultramarathon from Milngavie to Fort William. Hosted by three-time race winner Paul Giblin, the podcast goes beyond results and splits. We talk to runners, volunteers, race organisers and crew members about what really happens before, during and after the race. Expect honest conversations, reflections and powerful moments from one of the most respected endurance events in the UK. Whether you're a past runner, a future participant or simply drawn to the mountains and the meaning behind long-distance running, this podcast is for you.
WHW Race POD
Claim This Podcastby Paul Giblin
13 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview
The WHW Race Pod shares the stories, struggles and spirit of the West Highland Way Race, Scotland’s iconic 95-mile ultramarathon from Milngavie to Fort William. Hosted by three-time race winner Paul Giblin, the podcast goes beyond results and splits. We talk to runners, volunteers, race organisers and crew members about what really happens before, during and after the race. Expect honest conversations, reflections and powerful moments from one of the most respected endurance events in the UK. Whether you're a past runner, a future participant or simply drawn to the mountains and the meaning behind long-distance running, this podcast is for you.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/12/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 16, 2026
A Conversation with Gus Irvine: When Winning Doesn't Feel Like Winning
<h1>Show Notes</h1><p><strong>A Conversation with Gus Irvine: When Winning Doesn't Feel Like Winning</strong></p><p>Three weeks after winning the 2026 West Highland Way Race for the second consecutive year, Gus Irvine joins Paul Giblin for a very different kind of conversation.</p><p>Rather than revisiting splits, tactics or race strategy, this episode explores what happened after the finish line.</p><p>Despite leading from Balmaha to Fort William and successfully defending his title, Gus describes feeling surprisingly flat throughout much of race day and in the weeks that followed. What should have been one of the proudest moments of his running career instead became a confusing experience that left him questioning why the expected feelings of satisfaction and joy never arrived.</p><p>Together, Paul and Gus discuss:</p><ul><li>What it felt like defending a title rather than chasing one</li><li>Battling mentally for more than 60 miles</li><li>Why winning wasn't the rewarding experience Gus expected</li><li>The role of crew when an athlete hides how much they're struggling</li><li>Whether success and fulfilment are always the same thing</li><li>Lessons that may only make sense months, or years later</li></ul><br/><p>It's an honest conversation about performance, expectation, identity and the complicated emotions that sometimes follow achieving a long-held goal.</p><p>Whether you've raced the West Highland Way yourself or simply chased something important in your own life, this episode offers a reminder that the story rarely ends at the finish line.</p><p><strong>About the West Highland Way Race Podcast</strong></p><p>The West Highland Way Race Podcast shares conversations with runners, organisers, volunteers and people connected to one of Scotland's most iconic ultramarathons. From race previews and practical advice to personal stories and post-race reflections, each episode explores what makes this event so special.</p><p><strong>About the host</strong></p><p>Paul Giblin is a three-time West Highland Way Race winner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra.</p><p>You can connect with Paul here:</p><p>Instagram: @pyllon @pyllonultra</p><p> Pyllon Ultra: www.pyllonultra.com</p><p> YouTube: Pyllon</p><p> Podcast: Pyllon Ultra Pod</p>
July 1, 2026
Roberta Fletcher: Winning the 2026 West Highland Way Race
<p>Roberta Fletcher finished third in the West Highland Way Race in 2024. She returned a year later and finished second. In 2026, she completed that progression by winning the women’s race in 18 hours, 46 minutes and 58 seconds.</p><p>It was a brilliantly controlled performance. Roberta was seventh woman at Balmaha, but remained calm, trusted the effort she had planned and gradually moved through the field. She reached second place by Beinglas, took the lead before Tyndrum and continued to build her advantage all the way to Fort William.</p><p>In this episode, Roberta talks to Paul about how she moved from running 10Ks to entering the West Highland Way Race, after first experiencing the event while supporting another runner in 2023.</p><p>They discuss the influence of the communities around her as well as the increase in training volume that allowed Roberta to make such a significant improvement over three years.</p><p>Roberta also explains why she set herself the intimidating target of 18:45, how she avoided being distracted by the other women in the race, and why running by feel helped her stay composed when the early checkpoint times were slower than expected.</p><p>There is also plenty about the team behind the result: her twin sister leading the crew, the change from gels to sandwiches, bananas and pork pies, and the carefully chosen song that helped send her out of the final checkpoint towards Fort William.</p><p>This is a conversation about patient progress, trusting the preparation and learning to enjoy the process rather than allowing the result to dominate it.</p><p>Congratulations to Roberta Fletcher, the 2026 women’s West Highland Way Race champion.</p><p></p><p>Follow the West Highland Way Race on Instagram at <strong>@whw_race</strong>.</p><p>Find out more about the race at <strong>westhighlandwayrace.org</strong>.</p><p>Please follow or subscribe to the West Highland Way Race Podcast and share the episode with anyone who might enjoy it.</p><p>The podcast is hosted by <strong>Paul Giblin</strong>, ultrarunner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra.</p><p>Connect with Paul and Pyllon:</p><p><strong>Instagram:</strong> @pyllon and @pyllonultra</p><p> <strong>Substack:</strong> pyllon.substack.com</p><p> <strong>YouTube:</strong> youtube.com/pyllon</p><p> <strong>Website:</strong> pyllonultra.com</p><p> <strong>Podcast:</strong> Pyllon Ultra Podcast</p><p></p>
June 5, 2026
The Work Is Done: Closing in on the West Highland Way Race
<p>The Work Is Done: Only Days Until the West Highland Way Race</p><p>With less than a couple of weeks to go until the West Highland Way Race, many runners find themselves asking the same question:</p><p>"Have I done enough?"</p><p>In this episode, Paul reflects on the final days before race day and explores why the focus now should shift away from training and towards preparation, mindset and decision-making.</p><p>The reality is that almost all of the fitness you'll take to the start line is already built. The work is done.</p><p>So what actually matters now?</p><p>Drawing on his experience of running the race ten times, winning it, crewing it, coaching athletes through it, and obsessing over it for years, Paul shares some thoughts on:</p><p>• Why goals matter more than most runners realise</p><p>• Understanding the difference between competing and completing</p><p>• Finding your deeper reason for being on the start line</p><p>• Identifying the things most likely to limit your performance</p><p>• Why decision-making becomes one of the most important skills in a 100-mile race</p><p>• How to respond when plans inevitably go wrong</p><p>• Avoiding race-week panic and last-minute doubt</p><p>• Remembering to enjoy the experience and the journey</p><p>Whether you're racing the WHW this year or preparing for any big endurance challenge, this episode is a reminder to trust the work you've already done and focus on making the best use of it.</p><p>The countdown is nearly over.</p><p>See you in Milngavie.</p><p>Hosted by Paul Giblin.</p><p>West Highland Way Race</p><p>Website:</p><p><a href="https://westhighlandwayrace.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://westhighlandwayrace.org</a></p><p>Instagram:</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/westhighlandwayrace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/westhighlandwayrace</a></p><p>WHW Race Pod</p><p>Instagram:</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/whwracepod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/whwracepod</a></p><p>Pyllon</p><p>Website:</p><p><a href="https://pyllonultra.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://pyllonultra.com</a></p><p>Substack:</p><p><a href="https://pyllon.substack.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://pyllon.substack.com</a></p><p>Instagram:</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/pyllon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/pyllon</a></p><p>YouTube:</p><p><a href="https://youtube.com/pyllon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://youtube.com/pyllon</a></p><p>If you enjoy the podcast, please consider sharing it with another runner, crew member or supporter of the race. Word of mouth genuinely helps us grow the show and celebrate the people and stories that make the West Highland Way Race so special.</p>
13 total episodes available
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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