10.17.2024
Aaron Shimmons: from hiking Ireland to ultra-running
Aaron is an ultra-trail runner originally from Ireland. Now living between London, UK and Chamonix, France, he has competed in some of the toughest races in the world. This includes Europe's Hardrock and the Ronda dels Cims in Andorra, widely regarded as the hardest hundred-mile race.
Aaron placed seventh at the Bigfoot 200, a 72-hour race through the wilds of the Pacific Northwest. He is also a four-time finisher of the UTMB races in Chamonix, having completed the CCC, TDS, and UTMB twice. In addition to his racing career, Aaron hosts the popular Trail Talk podcast, where he shares trail running news, race results, and valuable tips for fellow runners.
Why Ultra Trail-Running?
“I came to running when I was hiking in Ireland. I was trekking with my dog and I saw a group of fell runners blasting down a mountain and I thought “I have to do this!” A few years later, I was competing in the national fell running championship. My personality meant I gravitated to the more extreme side of the sport. I immersed myself in Irish fell running ‘rounds’, which are essentially a combination of ultra-running and orienteering.
I simply enjoy being outside. Prior to running, I trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for several years, but the two didn’t mix and the choice came down to whether I preferred training indoors or outdoors. Now, I choose the mountains every time.”
What Goals Did You Have For This Year?
“My original goal was a race in the Alps called Ultra Trail des Lacs aux Cimes. It’s a 130km race with 9500m of ascent. The race started well, but a rainstorm came through during the first night and they stopped the race after 10 hours.
I had trained hard for this race and didn’t want to waste all my work, so I had to find a new challenge. I refocused on the Bob Graham Round in the English Lake District. This was my first return to fell running rounds in several years, but “the Bob” was a great challenge. It’s a 106km self-navigated route with 9200m of ascent. It was a great test.
The toughest race I ever ran was Ronda dels Cims in Andorra. The race didn’t survive the pandemic, so Europe has lost possibly the hardest mountain hundred-miler on the planet. The route was a perfect loop around Andorra, covering 170km and 12500m of ascent. Since it was always held in mid-July, there was guaranteed thunderstorms were always guaranteed at some point in the race.”
What Does a Typical Training Week Look Like For You?
“Consistency trumps everything. I train year-round and do 10 to 20 hours per week of running depending on the season. As I trained for my goal races this year, I started at around 12 hours per week with 3000m of ascent and worked up to 18 hours per week with 9000m of ascent before the two-week taper.
I never listen to music when running, although I do listen to podcasts if I’m in the city. If I’m in the mountains I prefer to soak in the environment and be present in the moment.”
Can You Tell Us More About Your Podcast Trail Talk?
“The goal of the show is to talk about the ultra-trail sport from an English-speaking European perspective. As, in my opinion, ultra-trail commentary has been very American-centric in recent years. We try to balance the show with a mix of American and European panel guests to talk about the news, stories, and international races.”
What Advice Would You Give to Someone Just Starting Out in Trail-Running?
“Trail running is a social sport in so many ways, so join a local running club. Meet people with similar interests and form real connections through a shared interest. In no time, you’ll have a bunch of training partners for those long runs on the trails.”
Why Partner With GOREWEAR?
“I’ve owned and used GOREWEAR kit for years. So when the opportunity to work together came, it was a no-brainer. It’s a great brand making top quality gear with a cool style.
When you’re in the mountains and hours from shelter, it’s important to have the right clothing. With GOREWEAR, I have a layering system that works from city running to high-altitude adventures.”
What is Your Favorite Summer and Winter Piece From our Collection and Why?
“Do I have to pick one? The CONCURVE jacket has been a staple for me all year. Both of my main races were hit with poor weather, so I’ve tested this jacket in the harshest conditions. The magnetic hood is so cool.”
Outside of Trail-Running, What Can we Find You Doing?
“I've always had a creative side. I was a professional DJ for 16 years but moved away from the clubs around 10 years ago when the all-night raves became too much to juggle with training. I still have close links to the dance music scene though. This sits hand in hand with a love of fashion and style. My wardrobe is the definition of ‘gorpcore’ because these clothes look stylish in the city and protect you on the trails.”
