Simon Williamson (KES 90-94), OE and current KES and Stroud parent, came to KES this year to speak to Sixth Formers about the personal challenge he set himself in 2013 – to run 100 marathons in 10 years. Simon spoke about his motivations for setting himself such a challenge; improving his overall fitness, helping combat stress and raising money for Parkinson’s disease charities to support his mum’s illness. He has competed in countries around the world setting a personal best of 3h 08 minutes along the Thames Path in 2020. In 2021 he completed his 100th marathon in his home village of Awbridge to the applause of his family and friends and raising over £15,000 in the process and achieving his goal two years ahead of time.

But what next? Never one to remain idle, Simon plans to spend 2024 running with 365 different people – one for each day of the year, complete the remainder of the six major world marathons in Boston, New York and Tokyo and take part in the Comrades Ultra Marathon in South Africa between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. We wish him the very best of luck and thank him for his inspirational talk.