One of the things that has stood out more than anything on our own journey, are the journey's of the people out there that make our company. These individuals are from all walks of life, all with different stories and motivators, all on different paths, with one common goal. To continue to grow and make themselves the best possible version of themselves. Through this blog series we will break down many different barriers, of the Endurance world with first hand insight into the dedication, struggle and euphoria each person challenge brings them. So lets start the journey....
Born 9th March 1981, Gary is a Welsh ultra marathon runner. Although he has run many races and multi-distances he classes himself as more an endurance / ultra runner. But enjoys all elements of running.
Gary’s debut marathon was in Edinburgh 2013 and to date has ran 57 marathons since. He then ran his first ultra marathon the Born to Run 40 miles of welsh costal path 2014 and said then he had found his love of endurance.
To date has completed 21 ultra marathons including the Marathon Des Sables (MDS2018). He also went on in2014 to do his first Ironman and later completed a further 4. He is now focusing his 2020 goals on the G2G ultra marathon a gruelling 180 mile race across the Grand Canyon but has 8 marathons and 6 ultra marathons on the way to there. Gary is a self-coached athlete. Who also runs his own run club and coaching platform.
Personal Life.
Gary Aged 38 lives in his family's home in Llanelli South Wales with his wife and two daughters. His Sporting life really started whilst serving in the army for 7 years and playing a lot of sports there. He is currently studying at Carmarthen University his BSC (HONS) degree in Sports Science and exercise.
Why BRAV Endurance?
We asked Gary Why Brav? He replied to us saying when you invest so much time into training and racing the financial commitment least of the priority. I used to be happy to pay for a race but would train and race in kit that wasn’t up to the job and long term held me back. After racing the MDS in 2018 I made vow to only enter an event if I had the right kit to train and race in and for me running ultras that meant looking after me feet!!! (That by the way didn’t hold up well with the Sahara sand.) I bought lots of socks after that and tested out. I immediately fell in love with the BRAV socks and had a strange conversation with the wife after my first run about my excitement of finding the perfect socks. I Then ran the beacons 46mile ultra in a December where you can only imagine what the conditions were like and finished really well on the race but more importantly my feet were like they had never ran. No blisters No loss of toenails and was able to run the next day which has never happened due to sores. So for me I don’t need to look any further for socks it’s one part of my kit that I don’t worry about apart from I have a large supply ready to go.