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From First Kilometre Struggles to Ultra Marathon Success: Fi Collins' Journey of Resilience, Friendship and Fundraising
- Jun 1
- 4 min read
When Fi Collins, a charity fundraising director, lined up for her first training run in Australia, she couldn't make it to the one kilometre mark without stopping. Fast forward a few years, and she's crossing the finish line of a gruelling 100km team ultra marathon in southern England. Speaking on the Sapphire Running Zone podcast with host Tim Rogers, Fi shared her remarkable running journey, her passion for trail running, and how fundraising continues to give her extra motivation when the miles get tough.
HAVE A LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE
An Unlikely Start
Despite being a competitive hockey and netball player growing up, Fi never considered herself a runner.Everything changed when she and her husband moved to Australia during his RAF posting. Following the devastating news that her mother-in-law had been diagnosed with breast cancer, they decided to do something meaningful from the other side of the world. They signed up for the Gold Coast Marathon in support of Cancer Research UK.
The challenge was enormous.
"I remember trying to get to the one-kilometre point of that first run and I just couldn't keep running."
Like many new runners, Fi discovered that endurance running required a completely different mindset from team sports. Learning to pace herself, gradually build fitness, and embrace the process transformed what began as a fundraising challenge into a lifelong passion.
Discovering the Joy of Trail Running
Although Fi initially swore she would never run another marathon, the running bug had already taken hold. Years later, while working for youth charity The Jon Egging Trust, conversations among colleagues led to an ambitious challenge: Trailwalker, a 100km team event along the South Downs Way. The team of four women trained together for six months, tackling long-distance routes across the UK before taking on the event itself. What followed was one of the most memorable experiences of Fi's running life. While many younger and seemingly stronger teams raced ahead early on, Fi's team maintained a steady, disciplined pace. As the hours passed, they found themselves overtaking teams that had started too fast and were struggling to finish together.Unofficially, they were told they were the first all-female team to cross the finish line. The experience cemented Fi's love of trail and ultra-distance running.
The Power of Running Together
One theme emerged repeatedly throughout the conversation: the importance of running companions. During her recent Cotswolds ultra, Fi faced a particularly difficult patch after 34km when a brutal climb left her struggling physically and mentally. Fortunately, she wasn't alone.
"I was running with an amazing running buddy who I've done a lot of training and events with. She carried me to the end in one piece when the wheels fell off."
For Fi, running isn't just about personal achievement. It's about shared experiences, mutual support, and building lasting friendships through training and racing together. Whether through Strava, training groups, or event partnerships, she believes having supportive running friends can make all the difference.
A Career Supporting Athletes Beyond Sport
Outside of running, Fi is Director of Fundraising at the Switch the Play Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping elite athletes transition into life after professional sport. Many athletes experience abrupt career endings due to injury, deselection, or contract non-renewal. Unlike other professions that offer structured transition support, athletes are often left to navigate the next chapter alone. Switch the Play Foundation provides:
Mental health and wellbeing support
Career mentoring and coaching
Learning and development opportunities
Employment pathways with corporate partners
For Fi, storytelling sits at the heart of successful fundraising, helping supporters understand exactly how their donations create meaningful impact.
Fundraising Lessons from the Road
Having fundraised for numerous events herself, Fi shared practical advice for anyone looking to raise money through running. Her biggest tip? Tell your story. People don't simply donate because you're running a race. They donate because they connect with the reason behind it. She also encouraged fundraisers not to be afraid of reminding people about their challenge. A single social media post is rarely enough. Sharing training updates, setbacks, milestones, and race preparation helps supporters feel part of the journey. Fundraising can even provide crucial motivation when training gets tough.
"Knowing that you've got that responsibility, not just to yourself, but to all the people who've donated to your cause, really helps to motivate you."
If you'd like to join Fi and run for Switch The Play Foundation you can find out more here
Fi's Top Ultra Marathon Running Tips
As someone who has progressed from struggling through her first kilometre to completing ultra marathons, Fi's advice is refreshingly practical:
1. Find Great Running Buddies
Supportive friends can keep you motivated, accountable, and enjoying the process.
2. It's Okay to Walk
Particularly on trails and hills, walking is often part of the strategy, not a sign of failure.
3. Embrace Variety
Explore new routes, trails, hills, and landscapes rather than repeating the same run every day.
4. Don't Overcomplicate Ultra Training
You don't need to run ultra distances every weekend. Consistent training, combined with cross-training activities such as cycling, netball, or strength work, can be highly effective.
5. Focus on Enjoyment
The most successful runners aren't always the fastest. They're often the ones who keep showing up because they genuinely enjoy the experience.
Final Thoughts
Fi Collins' story is a reminder that extraordinary achievements often begin with very ordinary first steps. From struggling to run a single kilometre to completing marathons, 100km challenges, and ultra-distance trail races, her journey demonstrates the power of consistency, community, and purpose. Whether you're training for your first 5K or considering your first ultra, Fi's message is simple: pace yourself, enjoy the journey, and don't be afraid to ask others to come along for the ride.
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