Meet Dan, a 41-year-old from Pant, Shropshire, who works in property maintenance and also runs a small farm. Life for Dan is hands-on, physical, and always busy, and running has been part of that world for as long as he can remember.
How It Started
Dan’s running journey began almost by accident.
“I came 3rd in a school cross country race,” he says — a moment that sparked something that never really left him. With a father who was a Lancashire cross country champion, running seems to run in the family.
Over the years, running came and went, but never disappeared. For the last 15 years, Dan has mainly focused on charity 10K events, completing more than ten races in that time.
The Journey
In the past year, things shifted again, this time with more intention.
After recovering from a serious injury 16 months ago, Dan returned stronger and more focused than before. That comeback led to a standout moment: a 5K personal best at the Oswestry Santa Run, something that felt especially meaningful after everything he’d been through.
“That PB meant a lot,” he explains. “It felt like a proper turning point after injury.”
Now, Dan is building on that momentum with a challenge that is anything but ordinary.
The Next Challenge
Dan is taking on the Manchester 10K — but not in the usual way.
He’ll be running while carrying two 20kg kettlebells, making an already tough race significantly harder.
And it doesn’t stop there.
To add even more to the challenge, Dan is walking 110 miles to the start line with the kettlebells before even beginning the race.
The event is part of an incredible fundraising effort for charity:
More Details: 82 MCR Challenge
Donate: JustGiving Fundraiser
It’s endurance, mindset, and grit rolled into one huge physical test.
What Running Means to Dan
For Dan, running has always been about self-improvement and resilience.
It’s not about beating other people, it’s about pushing his own limits while staying grounded in recovery and consistency.
Advice for Beginners
Dan’s advice is simple but powerful:
- Push yourself
- But don’t ignore recovery
- Your only real competition is you
“Try to be a little better each week than the person you were last week,” he says.
Dan’s story is a reminder that running doesn’t have to look conventional to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s about PBs. Sometimes it’s about charity. And sometimes it’s about walking 110 miles carrying kettlebells just to prove what you’re capable of.
Support Dan’s Challenge
Dan is taking on an incredible endurance challenge, walking 110 miles with kettlebells before running the Manchester 10K, all in support of charity.
If you’d like to support his journey and help raise funds for a great cause, you can donate here.
Every donation makes a difference and helps power challenges like this forward
