In this episode of the WHW Race Pod, Paul sits down with Rebecca Hormann, the 2025 female winner of the West Highland Way Race.

Rebecca ran from Milngavie to Fort William in 19:02:14, finishing first woman and sixth overall. But this conversation is not about splits or results. It is about how the race felt, how she approached it, and what stayed with her long after the finish line.

Rebecca reflects on her journey into ultra running, beginning during the COVID years in Northern Ireland, and how curiosity gradually turned into commitment. She talks about a remarkable run of races this year, including her win at the Witiker Backyard Ultra, and how those experiences shaped her mindset heading into the West Highland Way.

Together, Paul and Rebecca explore the inner moments of the race. The early doubts. The quiet sections of trail. The pressure that arrived later than expected. The importance of staying in her own race and listening to herself when it mattered most.

They also talk about memorable sections of the West Highland Way, the role of crew and community, and why this race, despite not playing to all her strengths, left a lasting mark.

This is a reflective conversation about patience, confidence, and learning not to write yourself off too early.

In this episode, we talk about:

1. Rebecca’s journey into ultra running and endurance sport
2. Winning the West Highland Way Race in 2025
3. Running without expectation and staying present in long races
4. Memorable moments and hardest sections of the trail
5. The importance of crew, community, and calm decision making
6. How the race changed how Rebecca views herself as a runner
7. Advice for those standing on the WHW start line for the first time

About the podcast

The WHW Race Pod is the official podcast of the West Highland Way Race.

Hosted by Paul, the podcast explores the lived experience of the race through conversations with runners, organisers, and people connected to the trail.

This is not a race recap show.

It is a place for reflection, memory, and storytelling from one of the most iconic long distance trails in Scotland.

Race links

West Highland Way Race

https://westhighlandwayrace.org/

Instagram

@whw_race

About the host

Paul is an ultrarunner, coach, and creator. He is a three time winner of the West Highland Way Race and former course record holder. Paul is the founder of Pyllon, a coaching collective and creative project built around endurance, curiosity, and the long view.

You can find more of Paul’s work here:

Website

https://pyllonultra.com

Instagram

@pyllon

@pyllonultra

YouTube

https://youtube.com/pyllon

Substack

https://pyllon.substack.com

In this first episode of the newly revived WHW Race Pod, host Paul Giblin sits down with new race director Adrian Stott to reflect on the next chapter of the West Highland Way Race.

They discuss the response to this year’s ballot, race preparation, and the emotional weight of stepping into the role after Ian Beattie’s long and respected tenure. Adrian shares personal stories from the trail, moments of unexpected kindness, and why keeping the race grounded in community still matters most.

Together, they honour the traditions of the WHW, including the final goblet ceremony, the history of the trail itself, and the legacy of John Kynaston whose voice also features in this episode.

If you’ve ever run the WHW, dreamed about it, or simply felt its pull, this is where the journey begins again.

For race info, visit westhighlandwayrace.org

Follow @whw_race on Instagram

Host: Paul Giblin

Founder of Pyllon and three-time WHW Race winner

pyllon.substack.com

youtube.com/pyllon

Instagram: @pyllon