Craig Jones

I found running way back in 1991, through the requirement to pass a fitness test; so I started training, wearing a pair of Dunlop Greenflash badminton shoes! Numerous miles and painful feet later I met colleagues who took me under their wing and off-road which I loved. My first fell race was the 1993 Welsh 1000m Peaks race, woefully unprepared and wearing a pair of road shoes, I finished almost last and utterly destroyed, but I was hooked. Now a V50 I've raced all over the UK and a few abroad, everything from 1 to 96 miles, 2 day navigation events and the occasional cross country, road race and triathlon. I love the freedom of fell racing and I'm never happier than running with the sun on my back on a mountain top. 

I was encouraged to volunteer by Ross Powell, then WFRA Chairman, who asked me to think about a new race in the Conwy Valley (Pipe Dream). Later I created the Great Orme race for the Midweek Series. I joined the WFRA Committee as an ordinary member in 2007. I then Chaired Eryri Harriers 2010-2012, during which I learned a lot, and also led the team hosting the British Fell Relay. I was WFRA Chairman from 2014-2025 and am now a Trustee.

Fell running has been a hugely positive part of my adult life and I've enjoyed giving something back, though it can be a thankless task. I'm proud to say I've contributed to Welsh fell running remaining firmly not-for-profit which in turn has had a wider influence on UK fell running. Likewise in other areas such as runner safety, use of GPS and Juniors. I strongly recommend fell runners put something back in, it's rewarding (mostly!).