Elle Twentyman: From Road Racer to Trail Running Record Breaker

How a Triathlete-Turned-Mountain-Runner is Smashing Records, Overcoming Setbacks and Loving Every Muddy Mile

If you’ve been paying attention to the fell and mountain running scene lately, you might have heard the name Elle Twentyman. She’s the runner who smiles her way up climbs most of us would crawl, casually snags course records, and somehow still has time to coach others chasing their own goals.

Elle’s journey into trail running wasn’t exactly straightforward - think triathlons, road racing, a few serious setbacks (including getting trampled at the start of a race!), and a whole lot of determination. Now, she’s fully embraced the hills, the mud, and the brilliant chaos that is the UK trail scene.

We caught up with Elle to talk about her transition to trail running, why she’s loving the off-road community, her top training tips, and what’s next on her ambitious race calendar. Spoiler alert: she’s got big plans.

Let’s dive in!

GET TO KNOW ELLE

What first got you into running, and was there a particular moment when you knew this was your sport?

"I’ve always loved running, but I haven’t always been very good at it! I actually switched from triathlon to (just) running in 2020 when COVID hit. There was no racing on the horizon, so I decided to start a graduate scheme in Child Protection & Safeguarding, and as this meant working full time whilst also completing a postgraduate degree, it just made sense to focus on one sport. Ironically, at the time, running was probably my weakest of the three disciplines (but the one I enjoyed the most and the least time-consuming of the three!)"

How did you get into trails? It seems like you’ve done lots of cross country and road racing in the past.

"I had a really great year on the roads/track in 2022 and was really hoping to keep that momentum going into 2023. Unfortunately, however, at the beginning of 2023, I was knocked over and trampled at the start of the Valencia 10km, which led to a series of injuries and setbacks that put me out of running and racing for most of that year.

During that time, I was really struggling with my mental health, so I moved back home to my mum's and started getting out on the trails around her home (at first on my bike and then on two feet) and just never really looked back. I still have some ambitions on the road and was seriously inspired watching the London Marathon over the weekend, but am really excited about seeing where I can go on the trails"

What does trail running bring to your life outside of fitness - mentally, emotionally, or even socially?

"I’ve always loved exploring new routes and just being out in the middle of nowhere, up on a hill. It just feels incredibly calming and good for the soul! 

I also think trail running just has the most wonderful community- everyone you meet is so friendly and just honestly, bonkers. Everyone is so welcoming and supportive"

You recently won the first fell champs race of the year, Edale Skyline, and also got the course record. Can you tell us about that race?

"It was actually a bit of a last-minute decision to race Edale as I had been planning on racing a fast, flat, road 10km that weekend, but then I saw the start list and got major FOMO! I managed to fit in a bit of a panic recce the weekend before, so I knew where I was going and also knew that the course would suit me as it was very runnable with little navigation required (although some did get caught out in the clag early on on race day!). 

This was actually my first proper fell race (as a senior) and my first experience of the English Championships series. It was also quite a lot longer than I had ever raced before (by about 2h), so the plan was to just go out and enjoy it. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had in a race. I think I smiled the whole way around, and it was just a huge bonus to take the win and the course record. 

Oh, and the Pie and Peas (and copious amount of cake) at the finish were also excellent - if you were debating giving this race a go next year, take this as your sign to get entered early so you don’t miss out!"

We know you wore the Harrier Curbar vest for this race - how was that for you?

"The Curbar Vest was absolutely perfect for Edale as it was quite cold & claggy, so it acted like an extra layer of insulation, as well as being super comfortable and stable, despite having to carry full kit and having all my drinks and gels in the front. I really like how, even with the bottles and gels in the front, it doesn’t bounce around at all, and the bottles/gels are super secure whilst still being easy to get out. 

 I also love that the vest is called the ‘Curbar Vest’ as prior to moving to the Lake District, I lived in Curbar and spent a lot of time running up, down and along Curbar Edge!"

Are we right in thinking you’ve run for Great Britain? Tell us about that.

"Yes, I actually qualified for the European Mountain Running Championships in my first-ever Mountain Race last spring! It was also my first race back after being out for quite a long period, so it was a real surprise to make the team, especially in the Uphill Only event!

Europeans was in Annecy and it was such a fantastic event, although the conditions on race day were biblical and I think only us Brits really appreciated the mud! I had so much fun representing Great Britain for the first time, and coming home with a Silver medal was just the icing on the cake!"

What’s next for you? More fell champs races?

"I may race a few more of the English Fell Champs races if these fit into the calendar, however, the main focus will be on the Mountain Running World Cup races over the summer and then the British Mountain Running Trials at the end of the Summer, where I will give it my all to try and make the team for the upcoming World Mountain Running Championships. 

 Next up is Trofeo Nasego (WMRC), where I hope to race the Uphill only (4.3km, +1000m) on the Saturday and the Classic Up and Down on the Sunday (21.5km +/-1330m)"

What are your ambitions for your running?

"As I mentioned previously, I do still have unfinished business on the roads and feel like there are faster times in me, but this year the main goals are centred around the trails and learning how to run fast (& efficiently) up and down hills and over more technical terrain. I would absolutely love to make the British team for the World Mountain Running Championships this year, but we are blessed in this country to have so many strong female mountain runners, so that will be a challenge!

 More long-term, I do have a bucket list of events that I would love to tick off, as there are so many races on the trails and in the mountains! I think the Golden Trail Series races look really good fun, so I’m hoping that with a few more races under my belt, I might be able to join a team that will enable me to race the Golden Trail World Series next year"

TRAINING STYLE, KIT PREFERENCES & TIPS

What’s one training habit or approach that’s had the biggest impact on your performance?

"I don’t think there is one single habit but rather a combination of key approaches that helps me to adapt to my training load over time and to continue to improve - keeping easy days easy and hard days hard, incorporating speed work (such as strides) and strength and conditioning (S&C), focussing on good nutrition and proper recovery, and staying consistent with this over time. If I had to highlight one area, I’d say prioritising S&C has been especially impactful, especially with the transition into mountain running"

Do you have a go-to piece of kit that you swear by? What makes it so essential for you?

"My heart rate monitor. Especially for training off-road, where paces go out the window, I use my heart rate monitor religiously to make sure I’m training in the right zones. I also monitor my heart rate when not training, as it is also a good indicator of general health, form, and fitness"

Have you ever had a race go completely wrong? What happened, and what did you learn from it?

"Not every race can go to plan, and that’s ok. In fact, they rarely ever do go 100% to plan (especially when it comes to trail running). For me, it has been learning to control the controllable and to not get frustrated when something happens beyond your control (like getting knocked over on a start line). Pick yourself back up, refocus, and do the best you can"

How do you balance pushing yourself with listening to your body, especially when training for multiple races?

"This is a great question, and honestly, it’s something I’m still learning and working on. One thing that’s helped me is having a clear race prioritisation system: A, B, and C races. It’s just not realistic to taper and peak for every event, so knowing which races are the most important allows me to plan my training and recovery accordingly.

For example, if a race is a C race, I’ll treat it more as a training effort and continue with my usual load. That means I might go into it with some fatigue in the legs and won’t necessarily expect top results. Being clear on the purpose of each race helps me manage expectations and avoid overreaching, while still building fitness for my A races. It’s all about seeing the bigger picture and learning to respect the signals your body is giving you along the way"

JUST FOR FUN

If you could give advice to your younger self when you first started running, what would it be?

"I started running with Buxton AC when I was about 10, but I struggled a lot with stitch problems, which eventually forced me to stop running for several years. If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to hang in there - that things will get better. Challenges and setbacks are part of the journey, but they don’t last forever.

As a coach now, I’m especially passionate about creating a safe and enjoyable space for young athletes and encouraging girls to stay in sport through those tougher stages, whether that’s injury, confidence dips, or the pressures that often come with growing up. It’s so important to create an environment where they feel supported and seen, not just for performance but for the joy and self-belief that sport can bring. You don’t have to be perfect or the best to belong - just showing up and sticking with it really does pay off in the long run"

Do you have any unexpected or quirky training rituals that you think actually work?

"I don’t think it’s so unexpected or quirky, but I do a lot of cross-training, and absolutely love getting out on my bike. It’s become a big part of my routine, not just for fitness but for my mental health too. It really comes into its own when I’m injured or need a break from the impact of running, being able to ride through the hills still gives me that sense of freedom and connection to the outdoors that I love about running. It might not be unusual, but it’s something I swear by!"

Is there anything else you’d like the Harrier community to know about you?

"Yes - something I’m really excited about is that I’ve recently taken the leap into full-time coaching and sports massage. I’m passionate about helping others get the most out of their running, whether that means achieving a specific goal, building confidence, or simply enjoying the process more.

I offer online coaching, working with runners of all levels to provide structured, personalised training plans and ongoing support. Alongside that, I also offer sports massage, from my base in the Lake District, helping athletes stay injury-free, recover well, and feel their best.

If anyone in the Harrier community is looking for guidance with their training, or is local and interested in massage, I’ve currently got space for a few new clients and would love to connect!"

Whether it’s smashing trail running course records, representing Great Britain, or coaching the next wave of mountain runners, Elle’s proving that a few setbacks can’t stop serious determination (or a good sense of humour).

We’re thrilled to have her as part of the Harrier community, and we’ll be following her season closely, especially as she takes on the Mountain Running World Cup and chases a spot at the World Mountain Running Championships.

Watch this space!