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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is a conversation about patient progress, trusting the preparation and learning to enjoy the process rather than allowing the result to dominate it.

Congratulations to Roberta Fletcher, the 2026 women’s West Highland Way Race champion.

Follow the West Highland Way Race on Instagram at @whw_race.

Find out more about the race at westhighlandwayrace.org.

Please follow or subscribe to the West Highland Way Race Podcast and share the episode with anyone who might enjoy it.

The podcast is hosted by Paul Giblin, ultrarunner, endurance coach and founder of Pyllon Ultra.

Connect with Paul and Pyllon:

Instagram: @pyllon and @pyllonultra

Substack: pyllon.substack.com

YouTube: youtube.com/pyllon

Website: pyllonultra.com

Podcast: Pyllon Ultra Podcast

The Work Is Done: Only Days Until the West Highland Way Race

With less than a couple of weeks to go until the West Highland Way Race, many runners find themselves asking the same question:

"Have I done enough?"

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.

The reality is that almost all of the fitness you'll take to the start line is already built. The work is done.

So what actually matters now?

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:

• Why goals matter more than most runners realise

• Understanding the difference between competing and completing

• Finding your deeper reason for being on the start line

• Identifying the things most likely to limit your performance

• Why decision-making becomes one of the most important skills in a 100-mile race

• How to respond when plans inevitably go wrong

• Avoiding race-week panic and last-minute doubt

• Remembering to enjoy the experience and the journey

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.

The countdown is nearly over.

See you in Milngavie.

Hosted by Paul Giblin.

West Highland Way Race

Website:

https://westhighlandwayrace.org

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/westhighlandwayrace

WHW Race Pod

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/whwracepod

Pyllon

Website:

https://pyllonultra.com

Substack:

https://pyllon.substack.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/pyllon

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/pyllon

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.

WHW Race Pod

In this episode of the WHW Race Pod, Paul talks about one of the most important and often overlooked parts of the West Highland Way Race experience: crewing.

The WHW is one of the few races where having a crew is mandatory, and the relationship between runner and crew can genuinely shape the outcome of the race. A calm, organised and adaptable crew can help carry a runner through the hardest moments. Poor communication and poor preparation can quickly unravel things.

Drawing from years of racing, crewing, coaching and being around the event, Paul shares practical advice for both runners and crews ahead of race day.

Topics include:

• Why runners should properly brief their crews before race day
• Going through realistic race plans and timings together
• Setting clear expectations and communicating honestly
• How crews should handle difficult emotional moments during the race
• Why adaptability matters more than the perfect plan
• The importance of staying calm when things change unexpectedly
• Organisation, logistics and avoiding unnecessary chaos
• Looking after yourself as a crew member during a very long day
• Treating volunteers, crews and fellow runners with respect
• Why perspective matters during ultras
• Embracing the unique atmosphere and community of the WHW bubble

This episode is aimed at anyone involved in the West Highland Way Race this year, whether you’re running, crewing or supporting. But much of the conversation will apply to any long ultramarathon.

If you know someone preparing to crew an ultra, feel free to send this episode to them.

Hosted by Paul Giblin.

WHW Race:

https://westhighlandwayrace.org

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/whwracepod

https://www.instagram.com/westhighlandwayrace

Pyllon:

https://pyllonultra.com

https://www.instagram.com/pyllon

https://youtube.com/pyllon

https://pyllon.substack.com

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider sharing it with another runner or leaving a rating or review. It genuinely helps more people discover the show.