FLAIR is a support scheme designed to help athletes competing at a national level by providing FREE access to Freedom Leisure facilities to support their training and performance.
We caught up with Jack to learn more about his journey, inspirations and ambitions for the future.
What sports do you compete in and how did you first get involved?
I compete in Athletics, mainly focusing on 5000m running. As a child, I did a bit of running but then stopped to play football. When lockdown happened, football stopped, so I tried running again. I absolutely loved it and decided to join my local club, which is where I met my coach who happened to be an ex Winter Olympian and Olympic coach. I trusted his training methods, committed myself to the sport and it went from there!
What is your current national ranking?
In 2025, I had the fourth fastest 5km in the UK. I also set the fastest 5 Mile time in the UK in 2025 — and the fastest time since 1992.
What has been your proudest achievement in your sporting career so far?
Last summer, I came second at the UK Championships in Birmingham, behind Josh Kerr.
Who inspires you most in your sport and why?
The great marathon runner, Eliud Kipchoge. Not only do I admire his smooth, flowing running style, but I love his approach to life. He has a very calm, zen-like manner and lives life in a simple but effective way.
What advice would you give to young people who want to follow in your footsteps?
I would say do not worry if you are not one of the top runners in your age group right now and there is no perfect way or path to take to be good at something. Enjoy being different and going in a different direction to others. I was 21 when I started running, and I have taken a very different route into elite running. I did not go to a running university like many of the elite runners I compete against. Patience, focus and trust in your training are crucial. And then in the race, if you can somehow find a way to ‘give more when others give up’, then you will have a very good chance at succeeding with your goals.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time within your sporting career?
I have represented England many times, and it is now time to level up to a GB vest. In five years’ time, I hope to say that I have represented GB across many major events, including the World Championships, European Championships and, of course, the Olympic Games. I also plan to move up the distances as I get older, progressing from 5km to 10km, then half marathons and eventually marathons.
If you could compete anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I recently visited Norway and got the chance to see their infrastructure around sport. They have a fantastic setup and the support for athletes is amazing. I would love to go back, do more training there and compete in more of their races.
What does being part of the FLAIR membership mean to you?
Having access to local gyms and leisure centres is incredibly helpful. It gives me a home to do my strength and conditioning, which ultimately helps me stay fit and healthy and maintain consistency in my training. It also feels like a great honour to be joining a team of other committed athletes using the FLAIR membership while chasing their own goals.
