Gilly Marshall - Dragon's Back Race - Season 14 Eps 7

In this episode we welcome Alice Baird, fresh from an extraordinary performance at the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra, where she stormed to victory and set a new female course record in 7:36:15. But as you'll hear, the story behind the result reveals what went into achieving that finish time.Alice shares her journey from reluctantly running cross-country at school to representing Scotland at the Anglo Celtic Plate, finding her place in the ultrarunning community, and discovering a competitive edge she never knew she had.Along the way, Alice delivers plenty of wisdom for runners of every level, from balancing training with a demanding career to learning not to sweat the small stuff when life inevitably gets in the way.Humble, thoughtful and quietly brilliant, Alice's story is a reminder that success rarely follows a straight line. Sometimes the setbacks teach us more than the victories.

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Miles What can happen in six years? For Susan Naysmith, it meant going from a lockdown beginner to standing on ultra podiums, conquering the West Highland Way and running one of the fastest marathon times in Scotland this year. In this episode, Susan shares the highs, the setbacks, the lessons learned through injury, and the mindset that has helped her thrive across distances ranging from 5K to 96 miles. We also explore the power of community, the realities of training around family and work, and why some of the greatest running role models are the people quietly getting it done in everyday life. A brilliant conversation filled with wisdom, humility and plenty of laughs. Talking Points: Finding confidence and community through a running club Progressing from 5K to the West Highland Way Learning from injury and difficult races Strength, mobility and sustainable training The mental challenge of racing hard Balancing running with work and family Women’s visibility in endurance sport Shoes, heart-rate monitors and sacred Monday rest days It’s not going to get easier. You’re just going to get better at coping with how hard it is - Susan Naysmith, 2026

What happens when a fiercely competitive schoolgirl from Arran grows up to become one of Scotland’s most respected endurance runners? In this episode Jennifer Wetton joins us to share her remarkable journey from winning school sports day races to earning Scotland vests, running a 2:46 marathon, conquering the Anglo Celtic Plate 50K, and becoming a familiar face across the Scottish parkrun scene. Jennifer talks about the coaches, clubs and family who helped shape her running career, the challenge of balancing competitive racing with work and motherhood, her love of community events like the Auchterarder Running Festival, and why, after nearly 30 years in the sport, she's still getting up before dawn to chase ambitious goals. Packed with inspiration, humour, parkrun adventures, ultra-running stories and a healthy dose of Scottish running culture, this is a brilliant conversation about dedication, resilience and the lifelong joy of putting one foot in front of the other. Scottish Parkruns on YouTube

In this episode we sit down with ultra runners Nicola Duncan and Catherine Cowie to relive their remarkable journey across Scotland in the 2026 GB Ultras Race Across Scotland. Covering 225 miles from coast to coast, the pair not only finished the race together, but discovered the power of friendship, perseverance and shared adventure along the way. For Nicola, the race marked an emotional return to ultrarunning after more than three years away from competition following a serious foot injury and a long battle to rebuild confidence. Catherine, fresh from a busy year balancing podiatry studies with racing, approached the event as an adventure, and what happened for both soon became a true partnership, with the pair deciding to tackle the entire race side by side. The conversation explores the practical realities of multi-day racing: recce runs, training around busy lives, managing sleep deprivation, checkpoint strategy, foot care and the challenge of staying fuelled over four days on the Southern Upland Way. The duo share candid stories of boggy nights, emotional low points, surprise acts of kindness from volunteers and locals, and the comfort of tea, chip butties and good company when things became difficult. One of the most powerful moments described is where exhaustion, lack of sleep and some self-doubt almost brought Nicola's race to an end. Through patience, encouragement and a sunrise that lifted both spirits, the pair emerged stronger and went on to enjoy what they describe as one of the greatest days of trail running they have ever experienced. They also discuss the unique experience of racing as a team in an individual event. Far from hindering performance, running together proved transformative. By balancing each other's highs and lows, sharing laughs, hugs and countless conversations, they crossed the country as friends and crossed the finish line as even stronger ones.The episode finishes with reflections on recovery, gratitude, confidence and what the race taught them. Nicola speaks openly about rediscovering her love of running after injury, while Catherine shares how the experience reminded her that enjoyment can coexist with performance. Along the way there's plenty of dog chat too, featuring Turbo, Senna and newcomer Ted, the puppy already stealing hearts and sleep. Key Takeaways✅ Hard moments are temporary, even when they feel overwhelming.✅ Sharing the journey can make an impossible challenge achievable.✅ Recovery, food and foot care matter as much as fitness.✅ Gratitude can be a powerful performance tool.✅ Adventure is often richer when experienced with others.

This week we are joined by Alan O’Rourke of Greenock GlenPark Harriers for a conversation packed with running stories, club culture, northern soul, ultras and plenty of laughs. Alan takes us back to the 1980s, playing "Olympics" in the street as a youngster, before discovering running properly in his late 20s and finding a home at Greenock Glenpark Harriers. What began as a way to get fit became a life-changing passion that has delivered friendships, adventures and memories spanning nearly three decades. The conversation explores the evolution of Scottish running, the growth of club culture, and why Alan believes joining a running club is one of the best decisions anyone can make. From championship cross-country races to community spirit and lifelong friendships, he shares what makes the Scottishrunning scene so special. We also dive into Alan’s own racing career, including chasing a sub-three hour marathon, battling heat exhaustion in Berlin, learning lessons the hard way, and finally taking on the legendary West Highland Way Race. Alan reflects on the highs, lows and magical moments of one of the toughest challenges he has ever completed. Along the way there are stories of marauding GlenPark teammates, pie-related nicknames, celebrity encounters, and enough running folklore to keep you entertained from start to finish. Key Takeaway Running is never just about running. It's about community, friendship, shared experiences and the people who help carry you through the hard miles. Whether you're chasing PBs, tackling ultras or simply thinking about joining your local club, this is a conversation that celebrates everything great about the Scottish running community.