Meet British champion ultra runner and ex-Marine Donnie Campbell

Skye might be wet, cold and windy, but it’s also undeniably beautiful –  and the perfect breeding ground for ultra and trail runners

Hailing from the Isle of Skye in Scotland, reigning British Ultra Trail Champion and GB international Donnie Campbell has never been one to take the easy path in life. From joining the Royal Marines at the age of 17 and his first tour of duty in Iraq at just 18, he’s been through plenty of ups and downs on his way to becoming a professional ultra runner.

Commenting on the difference between extreme long distance running and being in the Marines he said: “I’d say running ultra marathons is a bit tougher for me personally because I want to push myself to see how good I can possibly be. Whereas in the Marines, you know… I didn’t have to be at the top of my game to be in the marines. To finish on a podium now, I HAVE to be on the top of my game.”

In this video he explores just what it is he loves about running and the need for personal challenge, why his background in the marines and being brought up in Skye makes him so good at it, and why there’s nothing worse than soggy Jelly Tots.

Salomon TV: Donnie Campbell

Donnie Campbell, reigning British Ultra Trail Champion and GB international, on his journey from the Marines at 17 and Iraq at 18, on why being brought up in Skye, Scotland is good grounds for being a good ultra-runner and why there’s nothing worse than soggy Jelly Tots.

OAG