About me

Hi, I’m Martin. I’m an ultra-runner based in South Wales, though if you’d met my younger self, you’d probably have bet your mortgage against me ever saying those words.

I wasn’t a natural-born athlete. In school, I was the quintessential skinny geek - far more comfortable with a motherboard than a medicine ball, and reliably picked last for every team sport. As a young adult, I turned to running to help manage my mental health, but my strategy was flawed: I’d sprint as fast as I could (which wasn't very) until I collapsed (which didn't take long). Unsurprisingly, it didn’t stick.

The Turning Point

Everything changed in October 2022. While cheering on a friend at the London Marathon, I had a lightbulb moment. Seeing the sheer diversity of runners - every age, shape, and size - hit me hard. With a touch of arrogance and a lot of inspiration, I thought, "If they can do it, surely I can".

The seed was planted. I was turning 45, still a geek (though slightly more weathered), and I needed a purpose. I bought myself an entry-level Garmin, started training for ARFID Awareness UK - a cause incredibly close to my heart following my son's diagnosis - and for the first time in my life, the habit finally stuck. I discovered that when you run for something bigger than yourself, your legs find strength you didn't know they had.

The Setback

By early 2023, I was flying. I’d knocked out the 5k Nos Galan and raised £500 during my first half-marathon. Then, June 2023 brought me back to earth - literally. A cycling accident left me with ongoing cognitive struggles and a forced hiatus from the trails. The mental health demons I thought I'd outrun came knocking again, and for a while, the 'if' and 'when' of running felt like an impossible puzzle.

The Comeback (at a slightly different pace)

In March 2024, with my family's blessing and a stubborn refusal to quit, I laced up again. The old speed was gone, but in its place, I found something better: endurance. I traded the stopwatch for the stunning, grueling climbs of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.

2025 became my year of consistency over pace. I set a goal to run an organized event every single month. It wasn’t always pretty - there were weak ankles, hip issues, and a back that occasionally filed a formal protest - but I pushed through. By December, I had limped across the finish line of a 7-hour timed event with 20 miles under my belt, a clean sweep of PBs, and my first marathon and ultra officially ticked off.

The Next Chapter

Today, I'm still a bit of a geek, and I'm still navigating the echoes of my accident, but I'm stronger than I’ve ever been. I'm currently embarking on a multi-year journey to see just how far endurance can take me.

The spoilers are staying under wraps for now, but I'd love for you to join me for the ride. Just don't expect me to be fast - I'm built for the long haul.