For Owen Goldsmith, running started as a way to support someone else — and grew into a defining part of his life.
Owen is from Harwich, Essex, where during the week he works as an engineer. At weekends, however, he switches gears completely, lining up as an ultramarathon athlete representing Lonely Goat Running Club. What makes Owen’s story remarkable isn’t just the distances he runs, but the consistency and quiet determination behind them.
How It All Started
Owen’s running journey began in 2021, not with a grand goal, but with family.
His brother wanted to lose weight and get fitter, so Owen joined him for runs. Together, they built up to 5km, before Owen started attending parkrun every weekend. While his brother stayed happily at 5Ks, Owen felt the pull to go further.
Within two months, he built up to a half marathon. Two months later, he ran a full marathon. Then, in September 2022, he stepped into the ultra world for the first time, completing his debut 50km ultra at the Chiltern 50, hosted by Action Challenge.
The Journey
The Chiltern 50 left Owen with very sore knees, but also with clarity. These were his races.
He continued running 50km distances independently, until a simple challenge changed everything: Could he run an ultra every weekend in April 2023?
Owen doesn’t shy away from challenges. He accepted, and completed one ultra every weekend that April. The follow-up question was inevitable: How many could he do in a year?
In 2023, Owen completed 30 ultramarathons.
In 2024, he ran 31.
Last year, he finished an astonishing 35 ultras.
What began as a test quickly became a way of life.
Highlights & Toughest Challenges
Among Owen’s proudest achievements is winning the GB Ultras Slam Medal, completing five 50-mile ultras, in both 2024 and 2025. He then went one step further, winning the GB Ultras Grand Slam in 2025, completing all eight 50-mile ultras in the series.
These achievements carry deep personal meaning. When Owen’s dad passed away in 2024, he dedicated the Slam Medal to him, and did the same again the following year with the Grand Slam.
Owen also completed his first 100-mile ultra in 2025, tackling the North Downs Way 100 with Centurion, and took on international adventure at UltraX Madeira 110km in 2024, spread over two demanding days.
His toughest challenge came earlier, in 2023, at the GB Ultras Snowdon 100-mile course. With no prior mountain experience and limited knowledge of nutrition, fuelling, hydration, or foot care, Owen pushed on until 94 miles, where trench foot forced a DNF. Rather than seeing it as a failure, he’s returning this year — determined to finish what he started.
Another standout achievement is his place in the Essex Way Ultra Hall of Fame. Owen has completed every Essex Way event since its launch in 2023, earning the three-time finisher t-shirt last year — and he’s back again this July for his fourth consecutive year.
What Running Means to Owen
Running is now central to Owen’s life.
It teaches him consistency, patience, and the importance of showing up on bad days. Every run is a promise kept — to stay physically fit and mentally strong. It’s not always about motivation; it’s about turning up, even when it’s hard.
Favourite Events
Owen’s favourite event is Ultra Wales, a 50-mile ultra hosted by GB Ultras. With its mix of trails, roads, and mountains through the stunning scenery of Yr Wyddfa National Park, it’s an event he keeps returning to — and this year will be his third consecutive run.
He also highlights Winter on the Downs 100 Miler, hosted by UK Ultra. Battling extreme storm conditions, Owen considered a DNF as early as 23 miles due to severe heel pain — but pushed on to finish, making it one of his most satisfying completions.
Advice for Beginners
Owen’s advice is practical and experience-driven, especially for runners looking to increase speed:
Use lamp posts for fartlek training:
- Jog to the first
- Run to the next
- Sprint to the third
Repeat the pattern until you reach 5km.
He recommends doing this 2–3 times per week for maximum impact.
Alongside this, Owen stresses the importance of strength training, also 2–3 times per week, to keep ankles and legs strong — a crucial foundation for long-term running and injury prevention.
Owen Goldsmith’s story is a reminder that endurance isn’t built overnight. It’s built by saying yes to challenges, learning from setbacks, and showing up again and again — one ultra at a time.
