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.

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.

The 3rd of 6 of my Superhalfs journey and what a beautiful city. Definitely up there with Berlin! The downpour in the morning didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowds which came out in force!

Really well organised with the event village to get your bibs super efficient (no queues for me on the Friday) whilst getting to the start and also through the finish line was really quick.

A very flat route taking you through the beautiful sights of Copenhagen (Nyhaven came and went so fast, I didn’t spot it live, only when I went back to the recordings). Loved it and would go back (ballot allowing of course!)

I ran in the 361 Europe Centauri 3– superior comfort – not really a “race shoe” but one you can run in all day and it will soak in the miles.

This was only the second wear after Malmo parkrun the day before. However, as an ambassador, I know my size and I know the Centauri model very well and had no qualms wearing them for the Half.

We return to the Peak District for another Maverick Race. Selina, is starting her ultra journey and as we had done this race (the 22km version) last year, I suggested we take the 55km Ultra version as the first one as parts would be familiar to her.  Both her and James had never ran this distance before – and spoiler alert, they did it!

You can find the race info here on the Maverick website – 1200m over overall elevation gain. Highlights include:

• Chatsworth House
•  Curbar Edge
• Froggatt Edge
• Stanage Edge
• Hathersage
• Monsal Trail

Really well supported  with 4 pit stops including a “proper” stop in a community centre. Also managed to grab a quick espresso in Hathersage!

For those new to Ultra running, I heartedly recommend this one – only one “big/steep” hill whilst the others are generally just long climbs.

Well done to Selina and James for completing their first Ultra.

I ran in the 361 Europe Lynx

Lyme Park Trail 10km is set in the National Trust estate, close to Stockport. The race is run by Run North West, a local retailer who happens to put on a few races (They always seem to sell out!)

The course is lovely, with a start from the Hall and up to the cage, then some other climbs to what I can only describe as stunning views – my video doesnt really do it justice if I am totally honest.

This is a must if you are local to the area (I drove about an hour and its really worth the drive). Beautiful summer’s evening made for spectaculr sights – but I can see how awful it could be in the wet and wind!

Do yourself a favour and sign up!

I ran in the 361 Futura 2

Berlin Half Marathon was my second half of 2025 and is my second step in my Super Halfs journey. With thanks to my friend, Glen, who has just completed the set at Berlin, I decided to join him for this and then started my Super Halfs journey

I have visited Berlin for Tough Mudder but had been super excited to try and reutrn for more time in the city and the Half was a great excuse. 

The route starts and finished around the Brandenburg gate and takes in pretty much all of the main sites of Berlin. It’s so well supported across the whole course and live music (and DJs) around every mile.

Berlin is known to be flat, so much so that it manages a Roller Blade race before the main race starts!

Whilst I would love to return, I am aiming for Prague Half in 2026, I will defintiely be returning though, so good!

Lisbon Half Marathon was my first half of 2025 and is my first step in my Super Halfs journey. With thanks to my friend, Glen, who has just completed the set with Berlin, I booked that and tried to book as many in 2025 as I could. Fortunately I have got in to Lisbon, Copenhagen and Cardiff. 

Lisbon has been a city I have been wanting to visit for quite a while, so really happy to be able to tick this off. I really would suggest that if you are there for the half marathon, then definitely make it a long weekend at the very least.

The route starts across the iconic 25th April bridge. With free transport for the day allowing participants to get to and from the race back to their base. Apparently there were issues for mnany to get to the start. But I had no such issues, taking one of the earlier trains that was specifically put on. Therefore, a bit of a hint – go to one of the earlier stations and get one of the first trains – HOWEVER, it does mean youre in and around the start area for at least 1 hour. 

The route can be found on the website – and of course, higlights below in my video. But honestly apart from the start and the end finishing at the Jerónimos Monastery, the middle part is just a bit “meh” and a glorified out and back. 

The route is (of course) a net downhill and very flat. So billed as a PB potential course – just remember that there are 30,000+ runners, so there really isnt a lot of room unless you are a front runner. Im not saying its impossible, but you really do need to get your elbows out across the course.

Lots of water stations (around every 4km) and there was a couple of water shower points, although the weather this time was quite cold early on!

Im glad I have done the race, but honestly, not one I would be looking to return to…