Ultra Running Coach

James Gibson Running Coach

I’m James Gibson, an ultra running coach, endurance athlete, and outdoor professional based in the Lake District, UK. My background is rooted in the mountains, having studied Outdoor Leadership at the University of Cumbria and worked for many years as an outdoor instructor, guide, and mountain leader. Through hill walking, scrambling, climbing, and mountaineering, I developed a deep appreciation for long days in challenging environments and for helping others grow in confidence, resilience, and self-belief.

My journey into ultra running began through adventure rather than competition, quickly evolving into a passion for pushing physical and mental limits in the hills. Early in my running career I completed the Bob Graham Round with little structured preparation, an experience that highlighted both the importance of effective training and the consequences of neglecting it. Those lessons now sit at the core of my coaching philosophy.

Since then, I’ve completed and set records on some of the UK’s most demanding endurance challenges, including the Bob Graham, Ramsay’s, and Paddy Buckley Rounds, as well as becoming the first person to complete the Winter Wainwright Round. I’ve also completed a solo, unsupported Martin Moran Round and numerous long-distance mountain projects across the UK. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of endurance performance, fatigue management, decision-making under pressure, and the realities of training for big goals alongside work and life.

My coaching approach is individual, pragmatic, and process-driven. I believe that consistency, durability, and long-term development matter far more than short-term intensity or rigid plans. Every athlete I work with receives a bespoke training plan built around their goals, experience, lifestyle, and available time, grounded in proven endurance training principles. Clear communication, flexibility, and ongoing support are central to how I coach.

I’m a qualified UESCA Ultra Running Coach, Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor and I combine evidence-based training with real-world mountain experience. Whether you’re training for your first ultra, a mountain marathon, or a major endurance challenge, my aim is to help you train smarter, stay healthy, and achieve goals you may not yet believe are possible.