Jez Bragg

Ultra Runner

Jez’s eye-catching career so far proves that keeping faith in the simple pleasures of running can yield incredible results. His quiet determination has turned him into one of the best ultra distance runners in the world, both on the trails and on the road. He has enjoyed success in iconic races, most notably his victory at The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in August 2010, when he was just 29 years old. But he has also inspired the global running community with his epic personal adventures. In 2013, he ran the entire length of New Zealand, completing the 3,000km Te Araroa Trail in 53 days – the fastest known crossing.

What really matters to him, however, are the everyday joys of running: the chance to explore trails through beautiful scenery, to observe the changing seasons, to travel to new places, to meet interesting people, and to push his physical limits. He is happy to daydream while running the trails near his home in Dorset because to be alone, on foot, surrounded by beauty, is where he feels the purest sense of freedom.

QUICK FACTS

Birthdate: April 13, 1981

Hometown: Solihull, West Midlands.

Homebase: Dorset, England

Favourite Book: Wild Trails to Far Horizons by Mike Cadahy.

Favourite Music: A whole variety from mellow to upbeat house music.

Favourite Food: You can’t beat a traditional home cooked roast dinner.

Biggest Dream: To run another ‘long trail’ like the Pacific Crest or Appalachian Trails in the US.

How do you focus? Running gives me focus and 'head space' to think clearly and make sound decisions.

Best advice ever received: Run with your heart (from my great team mate, Lizzy Hawker)

Words to live by: Enjoy being in the moment

Favourite fitness exercise: Cycling, swimming and kayaking.

I wouldn’t leave home without my… The North Face Base Camp Duffel

Biography

It’s hard to believe that this lean endurance athlete spent his university days playing rugby, but he believes having an all-round active life – from climbing trees as a boy to enjoying kayaking and cycling trips today – has contributed to both his fitness and his hunger for adventure. A one-off charity marathon in 2002 sparked his move into running and he has been clocking up the miles ever since.

Following his epic crossing of New Zealand, Jez has been busy working on his speed as he bids to return to racing and satisfy his competitive edge once again. Last year he set a new record on Ramsay’s Round in Scotland – running up 24 summits over 58 miles in a time of 18 hours and 12 minutes. He’s eager to return to The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc and to try out the Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji in Japan and The North Face Lavaredo Ultra Trail in Italy. His big ambition is to win the prestigious Western States 100 in America where his highest finish so far was third in 2009.

Jez still balances his running with a demanding day job as a construction project manager, but with wild scenery to explore, inspirational countries to visit, and fresh challenges to take on, nothing stops him pulling on his running shoes and hitting the trail.

Career Highlights

New record - Ramsay Round, Scotland (18 hours and 12 minutes)
1st place - High Peak Marathon (2015)
3rd place - The Fellsman (2014)
11th place - Western States 100 (2014)
20th place - The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (2014)
Fastest Known Time - Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand (3,000km run & Cook Strait kayak crossing in 53 days). (2013)
10th place - The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (2013)
1st place - The Fellsman (2012)
16th place - Western States 100 (2012)
2nd place – The Highland Fling Ultramarathon, Scotland (2011)
1st place – The Fellsman. Course Record – 10h 06m (2011)
4th place – Western States 100, Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA (2011)
7th place – The North Face Endurance Challenge Final, San Francisco (2011)
1st place – The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (2010)
6th place – The North Face Endurance Challenge Final, San Francisco (2010)
1st place – The Highland Fling Ultramarathon, Scotland. Course record – 7h 19m (2009)
1st place – UK 100km Championships, Galway, Ireland. Personal best – 6hrs 58m (2009)
1st place – Commonwealth 100km Championships, Lake District, UK (2009)
1st place – The Fellsman, Yorkshire Dales, UK (2009)
3rd place – Western States 100, Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA (2009)
3rd place – The Lakeland 100, Lake District, UK (2009)
1st place – Connemara Ultramarathon, Ireland (2008)
1st place – Devil O’ The Highlands Ultramarathon, Scotland. Course record – 5h 22m (2008)
1st place – The Highland Fling Ultramarathon, Scotland. Course record – 7h 24m (2008)
1st place – UK 100km Championships, Edinburgh, Scotland. (2007)
18th place – World 100km Championships, Netherlands. (2007)
1st place- The West Highland Way Race, Scotland. Course record – 15h 44mins (2006)
1st place – High Peak 40/ UK Trail Championships (2006)