AN ENDURANCE racer from Chagford is in peak condition and aiming for the top in one of sports most demanding disciplines.

Brennan Townshend, aged 24, is a former professional cyclist and professional triathlete but now is focusing his efforts into endurance sport and already he has made tremendous strides nationally and is aiming for even higher in Ultra racing.

His endurance sports career began with cycle racing on the Continental UCI circuit for Teams Raleigh GAC and Madison Genesis. Brennan’s strength on the bike showed against World Tour teams in Challenge Mallorca where he stayed away in the longest breakaway of the four-day race holding off the likes of Team Sky and Orica Greenedge. 

Endurance racing has always been Brennan’s passion and he is now competing in long distance fell and mountain running races. 

Brennan lives at Batworthy Farm near Chagford and works as an outdoor instructor, cycling coach and running guide though he is looking to go full time with Ultra running. Alongside his training and racing Brennan is developing a career in the outdoors as an instructor, as well as coaching cyclists and triathletes.

He told the Times: ‘I come from a professional cycling and triathlon background, I actually discovered my love for running from triathlon. It was by far my strongest discipline of the three sports.

‘The motivation side of things for racing and training for ultras in the mountains isn’t hard for me, I feel at my most confidant running off the side of a mountain and love to push myself to the limit and constantly like searching for more speed though fitness, agility or mountain skills.’

So far this year he was first in the Vegan Welsh 3k, sixth at the Scafell Skyrace, first in the Trail Events Company at the Brecon Ultra, 11th in the Buttermere Horseshoe, holds the

Dartmoor north-south record in 3 hours 14 minutes, was fourth fastest in the Snowdon Horseshoe and locally came home first at the Burrator Horseshoe and the Chagford Two Hills race. In the Exe to Axe he was first and set course record).

He also competed at the Montane Lakeland 50, the Tromso Skyrace, the Oke Croak, the Salomon Ring Of Steall: and the Garmin Mourne Skyline.

Brennan added: ‘Being in these amazing places racing with great people is why the sport means a lot to me. there is nothing freer than being out in the mountains or on the moor in a set of running shoes and shorts with the trails beneath your feet.’