In-between all my races and OCR, I decided to take up the parkrun alphabet challenge. For those that don’t know what that is, its self explanatory – visit a parkrun for every letter of the alphabet.

I have lived within spitting distance of my local parkrun – Crewe parkrun completed over 100 times – I could literally get out of bed at 8.55 and get to the start line for 9am, so visiting other parkruns felt a bit of a waste. Now I have moved, I have decided to start visiting other places in-between my usual running season – just for something different and to get to experience new locations.

As I have run over 150 parkruns, I haven’t actually taken photos of all the different locations, but I will try my best from now on to get photo and video evidence of all future runs. You can visit my YouTube Playlist as well as “offical” progress via my parkrun profile

I also have a few country flags to my profile, but in June, I will get a dutch flag as I will be ticking off “Z” at Zuiderpark in The Hague. 

Taking on my very first 50-mile ultra marathon at the GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool! 

Vinni and I selected this one as we knew it was a flat route and ideal for a first time attempt.

This point-to-point race takes you from Manchester all the way to Liverpool, following the Trans-Pennine Trail, the Manchester Ship Canal, and the River Mersey. It’s a fantastic, mostly flat route, but with 50 miles of road, pavement, and tarmac, I needed shoes that could handle the heavy impact.

To keep my feet and legs protected, I laced up my ‪361Europe‬ Ventus. They were the perfect choice for the hard surfaces, providing amazing comfort and cushioning from start to finish.

There were some higlights to the route including Imperial War Museum as the start line, Runcorn Bridge and plans landing at Liverpool airport, but honestly, not the most inspiring of routes.

There were 6 checkpoints very well stocked with sweet and savoury snacks and really helpful runners. Very generous cut off times – 14 hours I think to complete the course.

If you’re stepping up to a 50 miler and not sure if you can do it, this race is perfect – but be quick, its very popular, with a sell out within days!

A massive thank you to the ‪GB Ultras and all the incredible volunteers who supported us at every single checkpoint along the route.

Prague Half marathon is the 5th Super Halfs in my Journey – being fortunate enough to get a place in the ballot.

A fantastic city – a great mix of new and (very) old along with great value beer and food. With a metro and tram system, public transport is the perfect way to get to the expo and start line.

As the race is on a Saturday, there is also the chance to do the “double” of Berlin and Prague on the same weekend (logistics allowing).

However, enough about that, let’s talk about the race! The route is a lovely course taking on many landmarks along the old town and river. Relatively flat with really only the bridges taking in any elevation changes. At times, the cobbles and tramlines make for some conscientious running, but overall – great running.

Well supported throughout (not quite of that of Cardiff)  but enough music, people and spots to keep you entertained.

As we flew in Thursday, we visited the expo to pick up the bibs first thing Friday – it was already a little busy and apparently there were long queues later that Friday – race numbers were also available to be picked up on race morning (usually not a thing!) As well as your bib, you also were given a headband AND packable bag. REALLY good! 

We were further back in the pen, and it took us about 10 minutes or so before we hit the startline after the gun went off – no issues, we were in no rush. Check the video for all the highlights and atmosphere!

I ran in the new Furious Future, carbon plated shoe. They performed well (as expected) and thank you to 361 Europe for their continued support as an ambassador.

My second time at Palma Half Marathon (they run a full marathon and 10k distance too). The race is sponsored by 361 Europe (who also support me) and as such I received a free race entry and apparel to wear for the weekend.

If you have never ran Palma (or any winter race) then I really recommend that you do – winter sun definitely hits differently! The course is amazing, with some amazing views across Palma town. Unfortunately I missed the epic finish line in front of huge crowds and the cathedral for the video

I ran in the new Furious Future, carbon plated shoe. I was fortunate to have been gifted them as a 361 Ambassador and only took them for a quick run in the 5km breakfast run the day before. They performed spectacularly and anyone looking for a race shoe, its should be on your watch list.

Deka Fit is a relatively new “Fitness Race” from the Spartan Family. Similar to other fitness races such as Hyrox and Deadly Dozen, its a mix of functional and cardio fitness.

I have taken on the Deka Mile which was a test event at CW-One (local gym), but Deka Fit Derby Arena was the first Deka event in a stadium setting.

Each 500m run was 3 laps of the arena and it was up to you to keep count. Each of the 10 zones was in the middle, whilst spectators could view from areas above the event floor (Derby Arena is a velodrome) and some parts by the side.

Well organised for the first event, and in 2026 they return to Derby as well as a new event in Manchester.

I personally think the area was less “pressure” than any Hyrox venue and of course, as of right now, as it grows, tickets can be purchased (unlike the ballot of Hyrox). 

For any fitness racing enthusiasts, this is an easy recommendation.

I ran in the 361 Europe Ventus

If you know me at all, you know that London South is my favourite race. Many many factors go into this, but mostly as the venue and course is just perfect – undulating, forests, trails, mud (can be VERY muddy) all whilst being very close to civilisation- just a few miles from Crawley.

It is the biggest event of the season (because its London) and you can certainly celeb spot here – KSI and Tom Hardy have been known to turn up incognito to run the course.

Watch the video, look at the gallery and book your place!

I ran both Saturday and Sunday in the 361 Futura 2

Tough Mudder South West is a joint weekend with Spartan (Beast and Sprint) running on the Sunday. This course is flat and fast and usually, only “Mud Mile” is the muddy part. Each Tough Mudder venue has their own characteristics and this one is just described as “flat and fast” no elevation to speak of and as Badminton is home to the world famous hore trials, the running is really good. 

This year was changed up a little bit with the route, but there are defintiely parts that the Spartan race takes on, which could be incorporated into Tough Mudder.

All the fun obstacles are here including “Dong Dangler” which doesn’t appear very often at TM.

I really like this course, but if you’re looking for “muddy” this isn’t it!

I ran in the 361 Futura 2

The Badminton estate (near Bristol) hosts the joint South West weekend of Tough Mudder and Spartan. Spartan runs on the Sunday with the Beast and Sprint races. 

I took the Beast after Tough Mudder South West the day before. 

The whole estate is pretty flat – you could be kind and say “undulating” which makes it very different from any other venue in the UK. Whether you enjoy this type of terrain will then tell you if you would enjoy the race – “Flat and Fast” 

The course takes on some different parts of the estate compared to Tough Mudder, so at least if you do take on both at the weekend, it isnt quite “de ja vu” but there are still some points where you are doubling back on your self.

The weather absolutely made this race this weekend – really nice and sunny meant that we could enjoy taking on the course without worrying about getting cold and wet.

There was quite gauntlet of obstacles towards the end – which means that at some points of the course, there is a lot of running – again, depending on your point of view, this is a good or bad thing. But as an example – the last 8 obstacles took in around the final 2km of the course.

I ran the race in the 361 Futura 2

Highlights from The Cardiff Half Marathon 2025

This was the 4th of my 6 Super Half races – two reasons why it made me happy:
1 – It didnt rain like my other 3 have done!
2 – The support of the crowds across the whole route was amazing – probably the best supported from all the races so far – especially around the docklands and around the 7 mile mark – really felt like parts of UTMB/TDF!

A pretty flat circular route which starts next to the castle and finishes just behind at the Museum and Council Hall.

This is now a balloted event, and my friends who supported it this year, loved the atmosphere so much, they have entered the ballot for 2026

I ran in my new 361 Europe Centauri 3 – really comfortable “workhorse” – I was going at “party pace” and these were perfect.