Get to know James

I’ve always been passionate about exploring the outdoors. A couple years ago I was trying, and failing, to get into running when I decided one day to go out for my usual 10k run but listen to the Lord Of The Rings soundtrack as my playlist of choice.
It went from feeling like a chore to an epic quest! I now run ultra marathons all over the world supported by my favourite movie soundtracks.

• December 2020: Raced across the Atlantic Ocean on a 47 foot Sailing Boat (despite having never sailed before). Placed last after getting stuck in the Doldrums for 8 days without any wind but it made for an incredible adventure.
• September 2022: Ran the entire length of the Cotswold Way (180km) - 4 back to back trail marathon in 4 days.
• March 2023: Ran the entire length of the Cape Town peninsula in a day (85km, 2700m elevation)
• July 2024: Climbed Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe, from my home in the valley, to the summit and back home in 16 hours (a route that takes most people 3-5 days).
• September 2024: Set a world record for the fastest person to climb the highest 10 Mountains in each of Scotland, England and Wales (30 Peaks). The project mission is to establish a new UK Hiking challenge for more experienced hikers and trail runners; building on the famous UK ’Three Peaks Challenge’. James will attempt to complete the route in 3 consecutive days (including the drives in between each country). A total of 160km and 14000 metres elevation: the equivalent of running a marathon and summiting Everest from Base Camp four times back to back in 3 days.
  

I needed headphones that would go the distance with me on all day missions as well as being weather proof for the crazy conditions the mountains can throw at you.

Music is a big part of my adventuring. I love to get totally immersed in a hike or run listening to epic cinema scores.

Music is a big part of my adventuring. I love to get totally immersed in a hike or run listening to epic cinema scores. So I needed headphones that would go the distance with me on all day missions as well as being weather proof for the crazy conditions the mountains can throw at you.

I’m all about making my adventures as epic as possible. So I listen to my favourite movie soundtracks: Lord of The Rings, Gladiator, The Dark Knight and everything in between.

I was recently in Scotland attempting to climb the highest 10 mountains in 24 hours as part of my 30 Peaks world record.

I was on the final mountain, having done 55k and 4500 metres already that day, and feeling absolutely broken and like I wanted to throw in the towel.

So I plugged in and put on the Braveheart soundtrack on full blast. Within minutes the mountain went from feeling tough to about as epic as it gets: running through the Scottish Highlands with bagpipes heralding the ascent as the sun set.

I summitted the mountain within the time and was treated to one of the best sunsets and moon rises of my life: a moment that will stick with me forever.

It’s less complicated than everybody tells you. All the big challenges I’ve ever done felt scary and impossible to begin with. I think we have a tendency to overcomplicate things as a means of creating an excuse to not try.

I have found that the reality is that things are much more simple, and that just starting out, even if it’s not perfect, is the most important thing.

I sailed across the Atlantic despite having literally sailed before.

I ran my first 100 mile ultramarathon before I’d even run a ½ marathon.

I summited the highest 30 mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in 3 days even though everyone told me it was impossible.

So go after whatever excites you and realize it’s simpler than you think.