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JA For Year 3, we are excited to welcome a whole new team of runners for our Storytellers team. Get to know them below.
Adharanand Finn
One of the most respected voices in endurance sports, Adharanand is also the author of ‘A Way of The Runner’, ‘Running With The Kenyan’s’, and ‘The Rise of Ultra Runners’. His storytelling has helped shape how so many people understand running culture around the world.
Adharanand also joined the UK Ekiden in Year 1, inspiring and guiding the runners during the UK Ekiden briefing event.
Megan Boxall
Financial journalist and endurance runner, Megan recently completed 200 marathons in 204 days – subsequently becoming the fastest woman to run the entire British coastline – raising £57,000 for the Samatarians in the process.
Richard Whitehead
Double Paralympic gold medallist on the track, turned marathon world record holder, Richard continues to break barriers on the road, inspiring others through his foundation’s work.
Alexander Betts
Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Oxford University, Alexander set the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon dressed as an academic! He completed the London Marathon in 2026, whilst wearing full academic dress.
Iona Kyle
Known best for her Summer Running Diaries, race vlogs, including the Hackney Half Marathon, and easy-to-follow recipe content, Iona is quickly building a strong presence in the running community. Iona has even founded her own London Running Club.
Vassos Alexander
One of UKs best-loved sports broadcasters, Vassos is famous for his long-standing work across the BBC Radio and BBC Television. A hugely experienced endurance athlete, he has completed more than 100 marathons and ultra-races. Vassos has recently launched the new Track Radio show, a brand new platform dedicated to running.
Steph Twell
One of Britain’s most decorated long-distance runners, Steph has competed across the 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m and marathon races. She has also represented Great Britain at two Olympic Games and three World Championships, and to add to that, she holds two European Cross Country titles and a European Championship bronze!
David Smyth
Writer for the Runner’s World, David is known for exploring the culture and meaning behind endurance sport. Through his ‘Human Race’ column, he brings insight to the running world, including interviews with finishers of Barkley Marathons and Saharan salt traders, creating a cultural taxonomy of endurance running.
David also experienced the UK Ekiden in Year 1, writing about his experience in the magazine.
Ishikawa Students, Izumo Chise & Haru Rokkaku
Joining us all the way from the home of the ekiden, Japan, one of these students applied for their first-ever passport to make this journey – a detail that speaks volumes about what their participation means.
Following the devastating earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture in 2024, their place on the team represents resilience, rebuilding and the enduring spirit of the ekiden.
Find out how the Stroytellers did in Year 2 here.