Spending as much time as he can in the wild trail running, hiking, and Obstacle Course Racing, Ben has a taste for all things adventure.
On the outside he is a fun, sociable, and active guy with an obsession for all things outdoors. But after years of personal struggles and divorce, Ben’s mentally and physically condition started to deteriorate. He was admitted to hospital several times with exhaustion and stress. After coming home from a normal days work, Ben had reached his limit. His judgement clouded by negativity and exhaustion, he attempted to end his life.
Ben survived to tell the tale and his recovery has been astounding. So astounding in fact that, aided by his love for trail running and pretty much anything involving mud, hills, rivers, and vast countryside, he is often found running round the tops of the peak district carrying a car tyre, promoting the life saving benefits of running and general ‘Green time’. He uses the heavy car tyre as a visual representation of the extra weight we can all carry, which unlike the tyre, is usually not visible.
In October, Ben completed solo four ultra-marathons in just four days – running from Southport to Hornsea (approx. 140miles) raising money for the leading mental health charity MIND. He runs many endurance events, which help him with his ongoing recovery, ranging from the Rat Race The Wall (a 69 mile, 1 day ultra run), regional fell, and trail events right through to the annual coal carrying championships (a 1km uphill race involving carrying a 50kg(8st) sack of coal).
Ben often goes by the name of ‘GetOutGetMuddy’ as that is his simple mantra. He says “Clothes wash, grazed knee’s heal, but memories last“. His second chance at life has not only made him stand up and live his life more through his passion of running the great outdoors, but also has made him dedicated to helping folks realise there is hope and a future. He shares how outdoor fitness has helped him and can help others.
Following on from Ben’s ultra challenge, he will be attempting the challenge aptly named ‘Coals to Newcastle’. He will be running from his home on the edge of the peak district to his birthplace of Newcastle (approx. 124 miles) carrying a 25kg sack of coal.