Stuart Walker
ESPS Individual Profile
Name: Stuart Walker
Academic Department:Mechanical Engineering (PhD in Tidal Turbines)
Sport: Ultra-distance running & Adventure Racing
Sporting Resume
I grew up in North Yorkshire and always enjoyed being outdoors, but was never very athletic until Univeristy, where I started to do some fell running. After a while I realised I did better at longer races, and realised that there was a whole world beyond the marathon. Since then I have competed at ultra-distance races up to and beyond 100 miles in length, focusing mainly on off road events, and am moving up the UK championships year-on-year. I think it is the self reliance and mental strength that these races require as much as the physical aspects that draws me to continue competing. As well as the UK championships, in 2012 I will be attempting to run 1000 miles across the Alps in my charity challenge, Big Alps Run.
Relatively recently I have also begun competing at national and international level in Adventure Racing, again focusing on the long distance, this time in multi-day team expedition races. These races require teams of four to navigate between checkpoints on foot, bikes, kayaks and other disciplines for up to six days of continuous racing. Again it is the challenge of pushing yourself to keep racing, despite the aching muscles and lack of sleep, that I enjoy about these races. In 2012 I will be competing in the Adventure Racing world championships with Team Accelerate.
Recent Successes
UK Ultrarunning Championships:
• 10th March - Wuthering Hike (31 miles, Pennines) - 4th
• 14th April - Calderdale Hike (37 miles, Pennines) - 2nd
• 28th April - Fellsman (62 miles, Yorkshire Dales)
• 11th August - Long Tour of Bradwell (33 miles, Peak District)
Other events:
• Varsity 10k - 4th (35min 24secs)
• Arts Tower stair race - 1st (1min 55secs)
• Open5 Adventure Race series
• UK Ultra-distance championships 2011: 10th
• Lakeland 100 Ultramarathon (103 miles): 8th
• Long Tour of Bradwell (33 miles): 6th
• High Peak Marathon (42 miles): 2nd
• Open 5 Adventure Series (Lake District): 4th
• Open 5 Adventure Series (Peak District): 4th
• APEX Alpine International Expedition Race: 20th
• Raid in France International Expedition Race: 10th
Forthcoming Events
Challenge Events:
Big Alps Run - 1000 miles from Vienna to Nice
UK Ultrarunning Championships:
11th August - Long Tour of Bradwell (33 miles, Peak District)
Adventure Racing:
AR World Championship Finals - Raid in France
(500km+, 5 - 8 day continuous team race)