About Me

James Finlay
2:42 Marathon PB
15:54 5k PB
120km+ Backyard Ultra

I'm an endurance athlete, running coach and finance professional with a passion for helping ambitious runners unlock their potential through intelligent, sustainable training.

My own running journey has taken me from a 3:51 marathon and a 25-minute 5k to personal bests of 2:42 for the marathon and 15:54 for 5k. Along the way, I've completed five marathons, multiple trail ultras across the Scottish Highlands, and backyard ultra events exceeding 120km.

Alongside my athletic development, I hold a Master's degree in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh and have studied the Essentials of Nutrition at the University of Westminster. I bring this analytical and evidence-based mindset into my coaching, helping athletes make informed decisions around training, nutrition, recovery and performance.

Outside of coaching and running, I have spent more than six years building a career across the finance and technology sectors while balancing increasingly ambitious training goals. This experience allows me to understand the challenges of fitting high-quality training around the demands of work, family and everyday life.

I am also a keen cyclist, hiker and traveller, having spent extensive time running and training across a wide variety of climates, terrains and altitudes around the world. These experiences have reinforced my belief that successful coaching isn't about finding a perfect plan — it's about building the right plan for the individual.

Whether you're aiming for your first 5k, a marathon personal best, an elite start pen, or an ultra-distance challenge, my goal is to help you train smarter, perform better and enjoy the process along the way.

Work With Me →