Giles Thurston

Giles professional background is in software and technology consulting, with over 25 years leadership experience across a wide range of sectors, both in the UK and internationally. He has always had a love for the great outdoors and the mountains in particular, despite growing up in East Anglia, where he still lives with his wife and two sons.

He is a qualified mountain leader and has climbed extensively in the UK, Europe and the Greater Ranges. In recent years his focus has shifted to endurance running and regularly enjoys long hilly running adventures, such as Lakeland 100 and Dragons Back.

In 2019 he co-founded Darkside Running and now organises a number of his own ultras and marathons.With a hectic family and professional life, Giles has always used his running and time outdoors to think, gain perspective and provide balance in his life.

Mind Over Mountains vision immediately resonated with him and he is excited to be part of our Board of Trustees and help us on the next stage of our journey.

Giles is also a photographer whose stunning images of the outdoors feature widely on this website! We are indebted to Giles for allowing us to use these.