Jon started running 3.5 years ago after not being able to run since a bad landing on a night time parachute jump whilst in the Parachute Regiment breaking an ankle, damaging knee meniscus and a labral tear in his hip. Surgeries didn’t improve the hip and he was medically discharged. After seeing numerous physios he found an excellent physio who got him back running.

Prior to the Parachute Regiment Jon had played rugby at a high standard, shot for Great Britain at U21 level and competed at GB Age Group Duathlons. He also worked as a personal trainer and sports massage therapist.

Jon fell into ultra running whilst working as a specialist paramedic which he retrained as once leaving the military. Working both on the road, in hospital and so on. During Covid Jon worked in a busy A&E and this coincided with being able to run again. This meant time was short and running was a great way to unwind and also exercise the dogs running usually late at night early hours of the morning around long shifts. One of the first runs back he managed to run over a marathon distance and this set the precedent going forward. Starting to enter races when the Covid pandemic measures  relaxed Jon quickly realised there was a bit more to it than running along a canal and had a steep learning curve… one he’s still definitely on!

Success came fairly quickly with some local wins and then entering multi stage racing all over the world with victories in the Scottish Highlands, Peruvian Jungle, Swedish Arctic, and Mountains of Kyrgyzstan all part of the Beyond The Ultimate Race series.

Jon has also taken notable victories in the Spine Race (Sprint (course record) and Challenger South races) and twice in the Pen Llyn Winter Ultra with back to back course records.

Jon has since moved into coaching runners and setting up run camps having gained his UESCA Ultra running coach qualification alongside existing Sport Science degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Strength and Conditioning. For coaching/run camp enquiries please contact Jon on the below.

Instagram – jon_shield_runs_ultras

FB – Jon Shield

Email – runcoaching@jonshield.com

Mobile – 07815543255

Jon’s Favourite Sock?

My favourite is the midweight merino crew socks.

Having spoken with Alistair at Moggans after using a variety of sock brands and suffering with some race ending blisters I started using several of the socks made by Moggans. The high merino wool content and none restricting feel have worked really well avoiding blisters to the balls of my feet where I’d previously suffered with them quite badly. I’ve used them in several environments, they kept my feet cool in the desert and they are perfect for Winter Spine conditions too with their thicker socks.