Gillian Turnbull

I only started training and racing consistently when I was already well into my late thirties. I started off as a triathlete but my official switch to trail running properly, however, was prompted by the great lock-down of 2021 when all the pools were shut, I couldn't get to the beach as it was outside my 5km radius and I realised how happy I was not to have to attend swim squad. I have now found my happy place as a self-identified trail runner and sometimes gravel rider.

I think a lot about why I train hard and what motivates me to race and i've come to realise that it's not really about the love of running / riding - Rather, as I get older, I appreciate more and more this feeling of being fit and strong, I love the sense of being part of a community of like-minded people who motivate and energise me and I love being outdoors, preferably somewhere up high.

There are a huge number of incredible women in this sport who just keep getting better with age and I am constantly inspired by what they show me is possible to achieve. I have big ambitions to keep doing longer 100km trail races whilst staying fast enough to compete in the shorter 21km distance and I am super excited and motivated to see what else my body can do.