Team VOOM's Elite Athletes


We partner with a team of dedicated athletes across a wide range of sports. From snow sports to triathletes, we work with an amazing group of people who test our products to the limit!

In return for their feedback on our work we fuel their training & competition and support their inspiring endeavours. We very much hope you'll also feed back your VOOM experiences to info@voomnutrition.co.uk, or our social media.
Together we are more VOOM!

Katie Brown

Runner

Running since the age of 10, I can say now at the age of 28, there hasn’t been a time I’ve been without running. I’ve worked my way through many distances, dabbling in one marathon, but in 2021 found my space in 5km/10km road running breaking both the 17-minute and 35-minute barriers respectively and soaring ahead of my previous PBs over these distances. Powered by VOOM for 2022, I plan to take running to the next level, aiming to tackle 3000m and 5000m on the track and secure some elite-level road entries along the way. My biggest training secret is cross training! When not found running around the roads, I will undoubtedly be building up the miles on my bike outdoors and on my turbo trainer – something I’ve discovered over the last year and fallen in love with!

Ellis Bland

Ultra Runner

Bland by name, Bland by nature. Born in Lancaster just outside of the majestic Bowland Hills where you can find me waist deep in bog most of the year. Ultra Runner, Trail Runner, Fell Runner and occasional Park Runner, I’m not one for labels and I’ll have a crack at any distance thrown my way. Achievements: Got some Bob Grahams to my name, wouldn’t mind adding the Double to that. Some records including Hadrians Wall (West to East), 87 miles in 13hrs18mins. Lancashire Way, 110miles in 21hrs15. Came 2nd to last at Clougha Pike U7s. Made me the runner I am. 3 facts we don’t know about (ATHLETE): 1- Love Gherkin Juice 2- Love Fish Pie 3- Love the above 2 whilst running

Mark Darbyshire

Ultra Runner

Mark Darbyshire is a Brummie ultra runner and the course record holder of the Lakeland 100, Arc of Attrition 100 and North Downs Way 100 to name a few.

Darcie Mead

Team GB Skier

Darcie has been racing since the age of 11 where she was lucky enough to be selected for in the British children’s team which then progressed to the British Alpine team as she got older. She competed as a child at the major international events in Andorra and Topolino. As an adult she has raced at numerous world junior championships. She made her debut to Europa cup in 2017. Darcie was the only British female to be selected and compete at EYOF (European Youth Olympic Festival) in 2013. She is the youngest ever competitor to win the Overall British title, 4x British champion, 5x British junior champion. Unfortunately she has been unlucky with injuries but she is going into this season the fittest and healthiest she has ever been! She is hoping to make her World Cup debut and hopefully qualify and be selected for the 2022 Olympics Games!

Howard Dracup

Ultra Runner

Howard began running back in 2015 starting with short distances on the road, working my way up to a marathon. Shortly after that I got into running ultras off-road. He ran them for fun to begin with, but after a few years started taking them more seriously. I was always travelling up to the Lake District to train in the fells and I decided to start training with a running coach. Within a year I went from middle of the pack to finishing on the podiums in some big events. I then decided to take it a little bit more seriously than I did last time and in 2020 I quit my job and moved up to Cumbria to make it easier to train and I also became a running coach myself so I can help others get ready for trail & ultra races. Photography credit: Steve Ashworth

Jon Shield

Ultra Runner

I have always had a love of the outdoors taking my dogs on the mountains. I got into running during Covid after years of not being able to run due to a horror landing from a night time Parachute jump during the military many years prior. Thankfully I found a physio that was able to sort the issue which allowed me to take up running in 2021. Since then I have never looked back. I specialise in multi stage racing in extreme environments carrying all your own kit (food, medical supplies, tent/ hammock, sleeping bag etc) which is where my main passion lies. I have won self sufficient multistage races at the Highland Ultra, Arctic Ultra and Jungle Ultra in the last year along with some traditional UK based Ultra races. jon_shield_runs_ultras's profile picture Having studied Sport Science and Strength & Conditioning at University and since retraining post military as a paramedic I have a keen interest in training, maximising my performance and how the human body functions during these extreme races. I’ve got it wrong a couple of times this year not turning up fresh to races but the couple of failures have served as great lessons and motivators for the coming year. Next year is set to be a big year with some monster races including self sufficient races in Asia and Namibia along with the Dragon’s Back race.

Sarah Bellis

Outdoor Hiker/Adventurer

Sarah moved to the Scottish Highlands in 2014 and soon discovered her love for the Scottish hills. Mostly found outdoors bagging the munros either hiking or running Sarah enjoys time outdoors exploring Scotland in her campervan. With so much Scotland has to offer Sarah is hiking, adventuring and travelling Scotland as often as she can. Sarah has taken part in many OCRs throughout Scotland and ran in the Salomon Skyline event 2019. Sarah is looking forward to more munro days and winter hiking

Isy Hawes

Rower

My name is Isy Hawes and I am 21 years old. I started rowing at 18 just before starting university and within 3 years I competed for GB at the U23 European Championships 2021, winning bronze in the women’s coxless four. A few weeks earlier, I was part of the student women’s eight which won the inaugural Island Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta for Oxford Brookes University. I have just begun this season at Leander Club and I’m so excited to see what is in store for my first senior level season. Alongside rowing I have worked as a physiotherapy student in intensive care through COVID and entering my final year of placements. VOOM nutrition has been perfect to make sure I stay fuelled for the long days of placement and training!

Cloe Stout

Triathlete

An Age Group triathlete from Hertfordshire, focusing on long distance/ Ironman triathlons and enjoying seeing new parts of the world with each race! A recent focus on cycling resulted in a 980 mile 80hr relay around the UK which was the most amazing experience. I want to focus on empowering women and girls into sport, in particular cycling, to try and break barriers and see more women at cycling and triathlon events

Kat Roberts

Mountain Runner + Open Water Swimmer

Welsh-born Kat (short for Kathryn) is a bit of an all-rounder with a passion for mountain running and open-water swimming. Sometimes even both in one big mountain link up. Basically, anything that involves moving fast and light in the mountains. Kat has been a swimmer pretty much all her life and would compete on a regular basis. Kat actually started out running on track as a 300/400m hurdler... in her late teens decided it was time to combine her passion for moving in the mountains with her love for these sports. Kat is currently training for some big running goals for 2023. In her work time, Kat is an outdoor instructor and is all about inspiring others to get excited by the great outdoors and see them succeed on their own outdoor journey. Photo credit: No Limits Photography

Simon Roberts

Mountain Runner

You can usually catch me running crazy events such as Spine Race and Dragons Back Race, but I also have a blast at the Sky Runner races as I love running those ridge lines. 2021 has been a pretty special year for me, I have taken wins at Lakes Sky Ultra and Race Across Snowdonia, but the highlight has been taking gold at the famous Dragons Back Race, becoming the first Welshman to do so. I’m looking forward to future and taking on more exciting ultra challenges! Photo credit: No Limits Photography

Paul Etheridge

Mountaineer

Paul Etheridge’s introduction into mountaineering came from his Scouting days when he was taught climbing in the mountains of North Wales. From those beginnings, he gained mountaineering qualifications which eventually led to him to becoming a guide. Paul has led expeditions around the world. Although he feels most at home in the remote regions of Pakistan and Nepal, Paul has climbed all over the European Alps and in South America and as also climbed on the notorious K2 in Pakistan.

Harry Bolton

Fell Runner

I’m a 21 year old fell runner living near Keswick in the Lake District. After swapping football for running whilst at school, I quickly found myself running in the fells near to home. Following this I have competed in races across the UK, and in 2019 spent the summer competing in mountain and sky races across Europe. This trip inspired me to start spending longer days out running in the mountains. This winter I ran the George Fisher’s Tea Round and set a new winter record and the third fastest overall time in a competitive field. In summer 2021 I will be graduating from Loughborough University and am hoping to spend a long summer racing and exploring across the European alps. Photo credit: Stephen Wilson www.granddayoutphotography.co.uk

Beau Smith

Triathlete

Beau is an experienced triathlete who has represented GB at elite u23 and Age Group level, winning the 2017 AG ITU Standard Distance World Champs. Whilst studying at the University of Leeds he was part of the BTF Leeds Performance Centre training alongside some of the best athletes in the world. With a background of elite sprint/Olympic distance racing, Beau’s also competed in various individual discipline events including cycling TTs, road races, crits and run events on track, road and cross country. Beau also enjoys challenging course triathlons and has completed the infamous ‘Alpe d’Huez Tri, and in 2019 won the Helvellyn Triathlon and was 2nd in the Snowdonia ‘Snowman’ Tri. Watch out for some longer challenges on the horizon.

Libbie Joyce

OCR

My name is Libbie Joyce and I am 14 years old, I have been competing in Obstacle Course Racing since I was 8 years old. I love OCR so much because it’s so fun and you get to learn so much, I did a race in memory for my friend violet and it’s why I have a V on my race vest, if it wasn’t for her I might not have found OCR. I Became a bronze OCR European Champion in Poland in 2019 and have competed in 2 Spartan Kids world Championships and last December I raced my first Spartan adult World championships in Abu Dhabi bringing home a sliver for the UK in age category 14 to 17. My dream for OCR is to be in the Olympics and for me to compete, but my love and passion for OCR is the inspire and help other kids try it.

Steven Fell

OBSTACLE COURSE RACER

Injury defined my first 5 years before operations, as soon as possible I booked a tough mudder, this West Cumbrian dairy farmer was hooked and one year on I went on ITV UK ninja warrior. My adventures continued and I'm now probably one of the most traveled ninjas in the UK with 3 wins and few runners up in UK one last man standing Holland, 4th in Germany some wins in Oz and 2nd 3rds. The Australians named me the northern ninja. Living in Kendal working in the area doing one joinery task after the other, making as many trips out as I can to create more adventures!

Becky Neal

Obstacle Course Racer

Becky is an International Obstacle Course Racer (OCR), having competed in the Pro/Elite division at the World and European Champs. With a history in competitive sports such cross country, gymnastics and cheerleading among other hobbies like rock climbing, ninja, trail running, skiing and watersports; the progression to OCR was smooth and she’s earned over 25 podium places since the transition in 2016. Becky’s always been interested in sport and holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology and publishes research on the effect of extreme environments on the body while lecturing in Sport and Exercise Science on the South Coast. In 2020 Becky has been selected to represented the UK at internationally and hopes to continue the adventures, whatever obstacle gets in the way!

Christie Byrne

Duathlete

I'm a 28 year old physio and duathlete from the Lake District. My first passion was for Crossfit, I then switched to running and cycling when lockdown hit. Having enjoyed exploring new places and building my fitness I took on my first duathlon in April 2021. I surprised myself in qualifying for the GB AG team for the 2022 World Champs! I'm aiming to continue progression with my cycling and running plus working on my swimming to take on a full triathlon, perhaps in 2022!

Joe Daglish

U80kg Strongman

Joe is a lightweight strongman from the North West of England. Most recently Joe finished in 2nd place at Britain’s Strongest Man Under 80kg, losing out only to fellow Voom Nutrition athlete and identical twin Tim. Joe is currently the under 80kg strongman deadlift world record holder, with a huge lift of 335kg. Joe is now training for The ‘Official Strongman Games World’s Strongest Man Under 80kg’ that takes place in November 2021 at Daytona Beach, Florida. This competition will give Joe the chance to compete against the best lightweight strongmen in the world. The competition events includes a 5 bar deadlift ladder, pressing heavy logs, a car carry and an atlas stone run.

Tim Daglish

U80kg Strongman

Tim is a 27 year old, lightweight strongman. Tim has recently been crowned Britain’s Strongest Man Under 80kg after winning the 8 event competition against Britain’s finest lightweight strongmen. Tim also holds the under 80kg atlas stone world record after loading a 165kg atlas stone (over double body weight) to 48” in competition. Tim is currently preparing for The ‘Official Strongman Games World’s Strongest Man Under 80kg’ this November in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he will be competing against the best lightweight strongmen in the world. This competition will see Tim pressing a heavy log overhead, carrying a car 15m and pulling heavy deadlifts as well as other extreme events.

Lily Kinnersley

Climber

Lily has been a member of the GB Climbing Development Team for the past two years.  She has been climbing since the age of 5 when she discovered her love and natural ability for climbing, and competing since the age of 7, winning various national titles along the way.  In more recent years Lily has also competed internationally with a highlight being 1st place in boulder, lead and combined climbing at the Flatlander cup in Holland. Her 2019 titles included British Lead Champion, Scottish Boulder champion & Welsh Lead champion. The year was topped off with 1st place in Lead & Combined for the GB trials.  Lily’s future target is to represent GB at the Olympics and is working hard every day to achieve this dream.

Tommy Dade

Skicross Racer

I’m a Junior Skicross athlete training and racing with the GB skicross team. I’ve been skiing since the age of 2 and have raced Alpine for several years, I then switched to skicross full time at the age of 15. In 2019 I won the U16 British skicross champs and in the last race of my 2020 season I came 6th in the Swiss national champs. My goal for this coming year is to represent GB at the World Junior Championships and am looking forward to working with Voom to help me get there!

Darren Towart

Hurdler

I’m Darren Towart a former international rugby player turned sprinter. Back in the day my body weight was 120kg but I retired in 2008 and subsequently took up athletics in 2014. I lost 40kg training myself back to fitness with the help of my local club Tynedale AC in Hexham. I’ve loved getting into a new sport which allows me to travel the world and race for GB. I’m currently ranked number one for the M40 400m hurdles and current M40 Indoor world record holder for 400m hurdles. In 2019 I competed at the World Masters Championships in Poland and came back with a Bronze Medal in the 4x200 relay. I then built towards the European Masters Championships in Venice in September where I won a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles.

Ross Jenkin

Fell Runner

Dabbling in various disciplines within running over the last few years, it became apparent that although my talents are better in road running, my heart remained in the mountains. I love to be up there for as long as possible, (safely of course!) so Mountain Marathons and Ultras are the thing for me. I have steadily moved up the rankings with every adventure and have even won a race this year! In 2021, I will again embark on a massive adventure to complete all 4 National Mountain Challenges non-stop, only resting on the journey between each area.

Rory Addison

Fell Runner

I am a fell runner from the wonderful Lake District! I started running aged four following in my dad's footsteps (despite wearing wellies in my first race) and really enjoyed running on the hills. Growing up I had success in Fell running becoming English Junior champion and English Junior uphill champ. I also ran for my county at cross country and on the track. I traveled all over the country with my brothers racing before having a break to do some travelling around the world (lots of skiing and sunny adventures). I’ve now got back to running on the fells and back to racing too, with some long-distance challenges in my sight such as a Bob Graham round!

Sarah Attwood

Triathlete / Runner

I’m a 41 years old multi-distance runner, Age Group triathlete (and duathlete) and GP living on the Isle of Skye. I’ve been using VOOM since 2019; since then they've helped me to podium in a number of races from 10ks to ultras. Last year I became European AG middle distance duathlon champion, had a top 10 finish at the European AG Sprint tri in Munich and I won silver at the Scottish AG Sprint Tri champs. One of my other big achievements last year was completing my first Ironman in Portugal. I’ve concentrated on cross country over winter but I’m looking forward to the AG World Champs races in Ibiza & Hamburg, Challenge Roth in the summer and marathons in York and Snowdonia in Autumn!

Steve Edwards

Marathon Runner

Known by many in the UK running community as ‘The Godfather of Marathon Running’, Steve has become one of the most successful multi marathon runners in the world today. Having so far run 867 official marathon races in an average finish time of 3hrs 18min at the rate of one every 12 days for the last 31 years Steve has set many records including running 500, 600, 700 and 800 marathons in the fastest average finish time. He is rapidly closing in on the 900 record and if all goes to plan his ultimate ambition is to become the first person on the planet to run 1000 official marathons averaging under 3hrs 30min.

Kate O’Callaghan

DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKER

I’m Kate O’Callaghan, a mountain biker / everyday adventurer from the Lake District. I can mostly be found out in the hills on my bike or on foot. I also love to Surf, paddle board and the occasional wild swim or ice dip. I’m always up for an adventure and try and add a little bit of it into everyday. I love encouraging people into the outdoors, I’ve dedicated my career to experiential learning in the outdoors, I’m also part of Team HQ for the Wonderful Wild Women, a community that encourages and supports people to enjoy outdoor adventures. I love the power of the outdoors, my favourite part of mountain biking is a good dawn raid, hiking up a big hill with my bike on my back and sitting and watching the sunrise, that’s when I feel most alive.

Angela White

'The Running Granny'

I’m Angela White, aka ‘the running granny’. Seven years ago, at the age of 53 years, I discovered the ultrarunning world when I joined a friend training and completing a Lake District classic mountain challenge, and I was hooked. Although not fast, I discovered I can keep going and I’ve since completed the ‘Tour de Helvellyn’ winter ultra and the iconic 50mile Lakes in a Day. I did the 190 mile ‘Northern Traverse’ along Wainwright’s coast to coast route in 2016 and again in 2018. Having been struggling with GI distress I met VOOM and after discussion I tried their products. Using VOOM Hydrate drink helped me complete, without symptoms, and win my first 100 miler, the Apocalypse. In September 2019 I attempted a John O’Groats to Land’s End run, completing in 18days 10hours and becoming the oldest woman to run JOGLE!

Chris Roxburgh

Powerman Duathlete

Chris is an elite Powerman Duathlete based in Wiltshire. Originally from Pontypridd, Wales, Chris played hockey from 8 years old rising threw the levels of County, Regional and Welsh International. At 21 Chris changed path to road cycling racing for Team Tor 2000. His career also began to take shape in the ambulance service and he’s now a full time Paramedic Practitioner. In 2011 Chris was introduced to Duathlon and then found his niche in Powerman (long distance) eventually competing in the elite 2016 Euros. Having a family makes training a balancing act but Chris recently returned to Powerman with high aims after 2 years focusing on marathon running. He finished 8th elite in his first race back (Powerman Mallorca) and now aims to get faster.

Katie Edwards

Mountain Biker

Katie lives in the Lake District and loves being in the outdoors. She's a mountain biker, but tries to have daily adventures and likes to mix it up a bit with fell running, wild swimming, paddle boarding, hiking, surfing and snowboarding (when she can). Whether its solo rides with her dog by her side or adventures with her boyfriend and friends, being outdoors is always time well spent and a recipe for a big smile. Katie is very lucky to have such amazing scenery right on her doorstep, making those adventures even more epic. She has incorporated her love for the outdoors into her work as an illustrator, creating lasting memories from those adventures: www.ktedwards.co.uk

Danny O’Callaghan

DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKER

Danny O’Callaghan is an engineer and mountain biker living in the Lake District. Being based in the Lake District means he's always in the mountains, be it on his mountain bike or walking with his dog Louie. Growing up in a national park he was pretty lucky and the outdoors has always been part of my life, he didn’t truly start to appreciate it until my early twenties. That is when he started looking for adventures at home or abroad. To live and work in the Lake District is such a blessing and being able to ride from the front door has huge advantages, also being able to take his bike to work and ride from there is a massive plus too. Both make everyday adventures possible which makes the work / life balance easier and he tries to make a point of getting outside most days, even if just for a short time.

Frankie Butler

Trail and Road Athlete

I am a 23 year old Trail and Road Athlete, training and competing on wheels. I’m also an ex-international field hockey player: I represented both England and Scotland at various age groups, until an on-pitch injury in 2019 ended my career. Unfortunately, that injury led to developing a very rare chronic pain condition-Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This condition causes a maladaptive nervous system response to normal stimuli, so everything elicits pain, even something as innocuous as air, sadly, pain is a constant 24/7 experience. Adapting to life with this condition has led to the most difficult and challenging time of my life. Exercise and the great outdoors has always been there for me throughout my life and being on wheels hasn’t changed that. During the first lockdown I got to grips with my wheelchair, at first I couldn’t even wheel 100m. So, I went out every single day, rain or shine and trained hard, doing hill sprints, wheeling on MTB trails and on roads. I set myself the goal of completing a half marathon, which I am proud to say I did! This year I am training to complete a marathon- it’s going to be a challenge, but I am determined to complete it, blood, sweat, blisters and tears will get me to that finish line. Alongside these challenges, I hope to progress with my recovery as the months go by and maybe, eventually in a few years time I might be one of the lucky ones to go into remission, allowing me to walk. However, in the meantime, I want to make the most of my life and get outdoors and enjoy each day in the wheelchair- wherever it may take me! Follow me on my road to recovery: @_frankie_butler

Jon Shield

Ultra Runner

I have always had a love of the outdoors taking my dogs on the mountains. I got into running during Covid after years of not being able to run due to a horror landing from a night time Parachute jump during the military many years prior. Thankfully I found a physio that was able to sort the issue which allowed me to take up running in 2021. Since then I have never looked back. I specialise in multi stage racing in extreme environments carrying all your own kit (food, medical supplies, tent/ hammock, sleeping bag etc) which is where my main passion lies. I have won self sufficient multistage races at the Highland Ultra, Arctic Ultra and Jungle Ultra in the last year along with some traditional UK based Ultra races. Having studied Sport Science and Strength & Conditioning at University and since retraining post military as a paramedic I have a keen interest in training, maximising my performance and how the human body functions during these extreme races. I’ve got it wrong a couple of times this year not turning up fresh to races but the couple of failures have served as great lessons and motivators for the coming year. Next year is set to be a big year with some monster races including self sufficient races in Asia and Namibia along with the Dragon’s Back race.