Dan, Daniel, Danny, Danny boy (depending on who you ask) is a recent criminology graduate and remains the record holder for fastest check mate in Runlimited. Our boy lives and breathes sports, with a competitive background in football, running is his new found love.

In a sentence, tell us about yourself

I would like to think I’m a smiley face and interpersonal, whilst talking through gaits I love to get to know people and listening to the beautiful stories & experiences of visitors!

What gets you up in the morning? What’s the first thing you do?

I love the saying “reach for the stars and if you fall you land on the clouds”. For me, my ambitions are what gets me up for whatever I may be doing, whether it was at university, those dreaded 9ams in the ambitions of following my mothers footsteps in CSI, or for my own driven ambitions in sports and that even earlier alarm to squeeze a session in before the dreaded 9am lecture. My possibilities are endless, and the first thing I do in the morning is usually to do with chasing any set ambition I may have. But before any of this, a few brioche slices and a double espresso is non-negotiable!

What gets you out the door to run?

I love the feeling of freedom that comes with running, I found it as a passage to help me through any hardship. Being in a very politically based course, there was always this constant reminder of how turbulent and unpredictable times are, and something I love to talk about is how tricky the process of adolescence can be and has become. When I run, all of this is left at the door. It’s me, my footsteps, my splits and the pursuit of my passion, in many ways it’s become my only certainty.

What excites you about the running community in London?

Honestly, the opportunities are endless! For whatever avenue you are looking to take your running, there is a community for you. Without the community, I would have never seen or chased my potential, I would have never met the lifelong friends which I have established here, and in deep honesty would have never developed the confidence which I live life with now. The ability for growth stems way beyond sport itself, and I think that is such a beautiful element of London’s running community.

Favourite shoe of all time?

It feels unfair to narrow it down to just one! But if I HAVE to choose my shoe of choice would have to be the New Balance 1080 v14, I love a softer shoe and this trainer was an absolute workhorse.

Give us some London recs, what should we be checking out?

Going a little bit away from central, but for those who brave a SWR commute will be rewarded with Bushy Park, based between Kingston, Hampton Wick, Teddington and Twickenham train stations. The most beautiful space to do any type of run, whether it be an easy jog with the scenery or tearing up the gravel paths on a tempo run, it will forever hold a soft spot in my heart. I’ve recently just moved in to a flat away from home, so I’m missing it quite deerly (pun very much intended)!