Darren Grigas – Adventure Athlete
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  • 17th November 2019 Adventures, Blog, Challenges, Featured  1

    A world-first 127 mile foot-crossing over the 55 million year old Namib

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  • 9th March 2018 Adventures, Blog, Challenges, Featured, Race reviews  2

    100 miles of ice!

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  • Special forces bootcamp

    7th April 2017 Blog, Challenges, Race reviews  5

    14 hours in the hands of the Special Forces

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  • 29th September 2016 Adventures, Blog, Challenges, Race reviews  1

    Running the inaugural Cape Wrath Ultra, a truly Beautiful Behemoth

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Events, Featured

30th September 2022

Spanish Coast – Mind & Body Retreat

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Events, Featured

27th August 2022

Through the Mill – A challenging grind for body and mind

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Events, Featured

27th August 2022

The Dragon’s Tail – Running, Biking and Hiking Wales

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PSHE

Blog, Motivational talks

2nd February 2020

Talking to the children of Fulbridge Academy

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Blog, Motivational talks

21st May 2019

Speaking at Buckingham Palace

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Blog

6th September 2020

Cycling the Green Wheel

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Adventures, Blog, Challenges, Featured

17th November 2019

A world-first 127 mile foot-crossing over the 55 million year old Namib

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Adventures, Blog, Challenges, Featured, Race reviews

9th March 2018

100 miles of ice!

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  • PSHE

    2nd February 2020

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    Talking to the children of Fulbridge Academy

  • 21st May 2019

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    Speaking at Buckingham Palace

  • 3rd November 2016

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    Talking at the Palace

  • 29th September 2016

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    Cathedral abseil for its 900th birthday, yes please!

  • 29th September 2016

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    £26,000+ – Amazing support for Rory and family.

  • 23rd September 2016

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    Guest Speaker: Duke of Edinburgh Awards at TDA

  • 4th August 2016

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    Guest Speaking at Duke of Edinburgh Awards – Peterborough Town...

  • 27th January 2016

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    Dumball – It’s a Goa!

  • 27th January 2016

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    Individual Fundraiser of the Year! – £18,000 for Anna’s Hope

  • 27th January 2016

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    Jools Holland Fairies for Anna’s Hope

  • 30th September 2015

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    Prince’s Trust Motivational Talk

  • 18th August 2012

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    Pride in Peterborough Awards

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Darren Grigas

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It's no wonder the first 50 miles was way quicker It's no wonder the first 50 miles was way quicker than the second, at around 65 miles as if we weren't already fatigued enough, this was where the big climbs started coming in. With a total ascent the equivalent of a couple of climbs of Ben Nevis, and the bulk of that at the back end, it was certainly a cheeky second half. I over-optimistically covered the first marathon distance in around 5hr 30m, then slowed slightly to hit 50 miles just 12 hours in, having a wonderful time skipping along trying to ignore the inevitable suffering ahead. The second 50 miles took nearer 20 hours, compounded fatigue, huge calorific deficit, bigger climbs, no sleep, it all took its toll to make it a very different gameplan, which was basically, just keep slogging on and get it done and try not to nod off. I definitely messed up on fuelling, I ate a lot, but not nearly enough, burning an estimated 12,000-14,000 calories and needing 2,000g of carb fuel, which is where I fell short. When you're running on empty, all you have is fat for fuel, which allows you to keep moving but you can't get out of second gear... It took longer than expected and I struggled towards the end, however; If the goal is experience, then you cannot lose, and this was one incredible experience. #100miles #ultramarathon #motivationalspeaker #trailrun
After 36 hours covering 100 miles and 8,000ft of a After 36 hours covering 100 miles and 8,000ft of ascent, sitting in the truck for 45 minutes was enough for the legs to shut down and decide to stop working, I wasn't moving too easily either, adopting a C3PO shuffle for the next couple of days This time last week we were five hours into the challenge, it was a big one, but 8 of the 10 starters including ourselves completed the distance, taking between 26 and 45 hours to get it done. Sarah slogged it out in an impressive 36 hours with a smile on her face finding comfort in being alone in the wilderness. Burning an estimated 12,000-14,000 calories along the way and amasssing over 180,000 steps, now a week later, our bodies are still in recovery, as blisters heal, aches subside and the tiredness and constant hunger remains. Is it dinner time again yet? https://www.justgiving.com/page/100-miler
These two photos were captured only 5-10 minutes a These two photos were captured only 5-10 minutes apart during the 100 mile crossing. The weather was constantly changing, hot, cold, wet dry, (mostly wet) just as the terrain would change too. The undulating tarmac was harder underfoot but we could pick up some pace, then the route would turn off across trails, boggy heaths, rocky climbs and slippy forest trails slowing to a crawl for miles up and over the Trossachs. Whilst I was relieved to finally reach the 100 mile mark and finally rest, I miss being out there, no headphones, no company, no sleep, just being present in the moment, in the discomfort of pushing onwards despite my body wanting and needing to rest, you learn a lot about yourself when it's just you and your wandering mind and feet. #100miles #ultramarathon #scotland
Back to average! The average person takes between Back to average! The average person takes between 4,000 & 5,000 steps per day, with many people aiming for 10,000 per day for health and fitness goals. So when running/hiking 100 miles across Scotland non-stop over a 32 hour period with 8,000ft of ascent, I definitely met some targets. No sleep just occasional breaks for refuelling, physio, sock and kit changes before marching onwards. The step count for the day after was way more mainstream with some much needed rest and feet in the air. #100miles #ultramarathon #scotland #hiking
Thank you Nj Joy for this brilliant masterpiece. W Thank you Nj Joy for this brilliant masterpiece. We're literally just waiting now for Sarah King to complete her last two miles to reach 100!! And we've almost hit our fundraising target for Anna's Hope too!
Have you ever had that post-marathon situation the Have you ever had that post-marathon situation the next day, when your legs are in such pain, you have to come down the stairs on your bum? I've had that for the past 40 miles, complete exhaustion!
80 miles down Body is wrecked A slow painful slog 80 miles down Body is wrecked A slow painful slog to the end
Had a long pit stop to refuel and change into nigh Had a long pit stop to refuel and change into night gear at around mile 52, now on a slight detour from the original planned route to avoid the faster main roads at night. We'll be back on track in a few miles. Then after the 60 mile checkpoint we head into the night and across the depths of the Trossachs. This has proven way tougher than we anticipated, with very challenging terrain and climbs. Out bodies are wrecked already, so now it's just a case of keeping moving until its done. Thank you to all if you for your encouragement and donations to our cause for Anna's Hope, it's means so much, and really does help keep us going. Thank you! https://www.justgiving.com/page/100-miler
It's a real castle! 100 miles, let's go. https:/ It's a real castle! 100 miles, let's go. https://www.justgiving.com/page/100-miler
That's the route loaded onto the Garmin, ready for That's the route loaded onto the Garmin, ready for an early start Tuesday! https://www.justgiving.com/page/100-miler
Found a few useful things in the loft, including a Found a few useful things in the loft, including a skeleton. We've all got them right? 💀 Tomorrow we head to Scotland, so in true last-minute style I'm just finding a few essentials to save having to go and buy more. It looks like we're in for a very wet 100-mile run, so dry bags will be a big help to keep our kit dry... #lastminute #skeletons #ultrarunning #100miler
NO LIES TOLD. I loved this Pinocchio stag from yes NO LIES TOLD. I loved this Pinocchio stag from yesterday, and that his nose stayed on from start to finish 😄 We usually seem to have more hen parties than stags, so it was good to get two stag do's in yesterday, both brilliant groups. I love that Forest Facility Adventure Centre has evolved to serve so many groups, ages and occasions from stag & hen do's, birthdays, corporate team events and school trips, we even had a Pagan Wedding last year! 😃🐺🦌 And to think, this whole thing was just an idea from my old desk job eight years ago, it took a few years of patience through a global pandemic, a shed load of graft and determined optimism and now it's a real thing with a "real boy" climbing obstacles! 😀🤯
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Prince's Trust - Guest Speaker

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As a guest speaker Darren is a true inspiration to all. His approach to challenge, personal development and lifelong learning made him the perfect guest speaker to inspire and motivate our team. His adventures are the perfect hook to get the young people engage and his subtle but targeted “suggestions” on personal development stayed with the team throughout the twelve week programme.

Kit Lists - Everything you need for your running and adventure challenges

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If you're just starting out, or planning to cross a desert, jungle or 100 miles of ice, I share all the tips and recommended products here
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Peterborough Open Awards Centre CIC - Motivational Speaker

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Motivation and inspiration are key elements in encouraging young people to strive beyond their limiting beliefs. As a guest speaker on our National Citizen Service courses; the group listened attentively as he talked them through his various exploits as an extreme adventurer and charity fundraiser. His stories of completing the Marathon Des Sables and spending a week challenging alongside Sir Ranulph Fiennes as he became the oldest UK citizen to complete the challenge held his audience spellbound. A true motivational speaker.

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