Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, ultra and trail-runner, author, and charity founder from Chester, now based in Kendal. No stranger to adversity, Alex has overcome more than most: including surviving the two biggest disasters in Mount Everest history as a teenager. Yet his greatest challenges have been much closer to home: living with epilepsy, stammering, bullying, and mental ill health since childhood.
Determined to turn adversity into adventure, Alex has raised over £100,000 for charity, become the fastest person to climb all 100 UK county tops, written two books (Icefall and Another Peak), and founded Mind Over Mountains, a charity restoring mental well-being through outdoor experiences.
His endurance feats include running the National Three Peaks Challenge—covering 452 miles (17 marathons) in just 9 days and 12 hours. In 2022, he completed the 105-mile Lakes, Meres & Waters route, finished 2nd in the 7 Valleys Ultra 2023 and the 2025 Grizedale Marathon. He recently became the first and fastest person to climb all 446 mountains (Nuttalls) within England & Wales by human power – running and cycling over 3,000km in just 45 days to mark his 30th birthday.