Running Adventures

Running Adventures: trail running coaching and adventures from Guildford

Running Adventures is a British company founded in 2014 by Matt Buck, ultramarathon runner, coach and mountain leader, based in Guildford (Surrey) and operating across the UK and abroad. The company presents itself as a trail running coaching and guiding service for runners of all levels and distances.

Coaching for all levels and distances

The service catalogue includes online and face-to-face coaching, with options such as the 1-2-1 online consultation and the 1-2-1 face-to-face coaching session. The offering covers specific programmes for ultramarathon, trail running, Marathon des Sables, Dragons Back Race and a couch to 5km beginner plan. The company states that coaching is aimed at anyone, from those who want to complete their first trail race to those looking to push their limits in the mountains.

Guided runs and routes across southern England

Running Adventures organises guided runs along specific routes, including Silent Pool 10K, Devil's Punchbowl 10K, Thursley Common 10K, Box Hill Vertical KM, Surrey Hills Half Marathon, Malvern Hills 18 Miler, North Downs Way Ultra Run, South Downs Way Ultra Run, Greensand Way Ultra Run, Serpent Trail Ultra Run and Jurassic Coast Ultra Run. The company also offers a Tailored Run Service.

Workshops and technical training

The company runs workshops, including the trail running workshop in Guildford and the Running Poles Workshop, aimed at improving runners' technique and skills on mountain terrain.

Trail holidays and hiking adventures

The trail holidays programme includes destinations such as El Chorro (Spain), Menorca, the Montserrat mountains (Spain), Portugal, Cumbria Way, Yorkshire 3 Peaks and Run the Sahara. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, the company offers Hiking Adventures. It also organises trail running weekends and training weekends.

Talks, events and other services

Running Adventures completes its activity with inspirational talks, events, a podcast, merchandise and gift vouchers, as well as a volunteer and ambassador programme.

The team: Matt Buck

Matt Buck is the person behind Running Adventures. He presents himself as a Salomon and Suunto ambassador, ultramarathon runner and qualified coach. His credentials include UK Athletics Licensed Coach, Mountain Training Qualified Mountain Leader, UK Athletics Licensed Run Leader and Remote Outdoor First Aid Certified. The company states that it has more than ten years of experience and has guided thousands of people along trails in the UK and abroad.

Among the sporting achievements he mentions are having completed numerous ultramarathons and marathons in the UK and abroad, having finished the GR20 in Corsica in five days, holding the fastest known time on the Coronallacs Trail in Andorra (92 km and 6,449 m of elevation gain) in 49 hours, having previously held the fastest known time on Greensand Way (123 miles in 31:20:28) and Fox Way (37 miles in 7:52:53), having finished the Berghaus Dragon's Back Race and the Marathon des Sables, having taken first place in the 5 Islands Ultra and eleventh in the Wild Elephant Trail in Sri Lanka, having competed in various mountain races in the Alps, having crossed Scotland coast to coast, having been part of the RelayGB team that broke a Guinness record, having finished Ironman 70.3 Exmoor, having climbed Mount Kinabalu (4,095 m) in Borneo in a day, Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) in Tanzania and Toubkal (4,167 m) in Morocco on three occasions, having cycled seven times from London to Paris, twice from Land's End to John o'Groats and twice from Venice to Genoa, having cycled London-Frankfurt, having done the Inca Trail in Peru on three occasions and having travelled through the Namibian desert, Cambodia, Costa Rica, the Great Wall of China and the seven continents.

The company states that it has written for and appeared in publications such as Runners World, Men's Running, Women's Running, Trail Running Magazine and The Independent newspaper, and cites a mention from runultra.co.uk describing him as one of the most influential ultrarunners in the UK.

Philosophy and sponsorships

Running Adventures presents itself as a project open to all runners, regardless of their background, sexuality, gender or race, and states that its services are supported by brands such as Salomon, Suunto, Silva and Athletic Brewing Company.

Location and contact

Phone: 07523 271785