Keith Russell (ultrarunner)
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Irish |
| Born | Navan, County Meath, Ireland |
| Occupation | Ultrarunner, coach, business owner |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Sport | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Sport | Ultrarunning |
| Event(s) | 24-hour · 100 km · Backyard Ultra · endurance challenge |
| Club | Navan AC |
Keith Russell (born c.1983) is an Irish ultramarathon runner from Navan, County Meath, known for his record-breaking endurance performances and for his inspirational journey with his late daughter Alanna. He is the current Irish record holder in the backyard ultra format with 89 'yards' (≈ 597 km), one of the longest distances ever recorded worldwide. Russell has represented Ireland internationally in 24-hour and backyard competitions and is regarded as one of the leading figures in Irish ultrarunning.[1]
Early life and background
Russell grew up in Navan, County Meath. In his early adult years he played Gaelic football for Navan O’Mahonys but did not take up running seriously until his 30s. In 2016 he began running with his daughter Alanna, who was born with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and could not walk or speak.[2] Their weekend runs in a racing wheelchair became a source of joy and comfort for Alanna and a turning point for Russell.
In October 2017 he pushed Alanna for the entire Dublin Marathon, finishing in just over three hours 20 minutes. The pair raised more than €70,000 for the Meadows Children’s Respite Centre in Navan, funding a wheelchair-accessible minibus, and Alanna became the youngest Dublin Marathon finisher in history.[3] Six weeks later, on 13 December 2017, Alanna passed away aged eight. The following year the Dublin Marathon retired her bib number 141 and presented Russell with the Lord Mayor’s Medal for his inspirational effort.[4]
Transition to ultrarunning
After Alanna’s death Russell continued to run in her memory, using distance running as a means of coping and raising funds for local charities. In 2019 he entered his first ultramarathon – the Dublin to Belfast Ultra (173 km) – and finished third in approximately 18 hours 18 minutes.[5] The same year he began a series of charity endurance challenges, including running five marathons in 24 hours on a track to support Claremont Stadium in Navan.[6]
He soon became known for extreme physical challenges and mental resilience, participating in RTÉ’s reality series Special Forces – Ultimate Hell Week in 2019 and attempting a continuous 365 km run around County Meath in 2020, stopping after over 300 km when sleep deprivation forced him to halt.[7]
Backyard ultra achievements
Russell rose to international prominence through the backyard ultra format – a last-person-standing event consisting of 6.706 km loops run hourly until only one athlete remains.
- May 2021 – Last One Standing, Florence Court, Northern Ireland: Russell ran 63 yards (≈ 422 km) in 63 hours to win outright, breaking the Irish and Northern Ireland records at the time and earning a golden-ticket entry to the world championship.[8]
- May 2022 – Backyard Masters, Rettert, Germany: Facing a field of international champions, Russell completed 89 yards (≈ 596.8 km) finishing second, setting a new Irish record and at the time the second-longest distance ever achieved globally. Belgium’s Merijn Geerts won after 90 yards, establishing a new world record.[9]
- October 2023 – Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Championship, Tennessee: Russell represented Ireland among 75 national champions. After 74 yards (≈ 496 km) he timed out on lap 75, placing within the top 20 worldwide.[10] Two days later he completed the Dublin Marathon in 2 h 57 m – a personal best despite racing on extreme fatigue.[11]
Russell’s 89-yard performance remains the Irish national record and, as of 2025, one of the top five all-time global results in the format.
Other ultramarathon results
Beyond the backyard series, Russell has excelled in traditional timed and distance ultras.
- 2021 – Irish National 24-Hour Championships, Belfast: Bronze medal with 232.67 km.[12]
- 2022 – IAU European 24-Hour Championships, Verona, Italy: Represented Ireland, covering 246.711 km (29th individual, 8th team).[13]
- 2019 – Dublin to Belfast Ultra (173 km): 3rd place in 18 h 18 m.[5]
- 2020 – Five Marathons in 24 Hours (charity challenge): Completed 211 km on a track for Claremont Stadium, Navan.[6]
Selected major results
| Year | Event | Distance / Duration | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Dublin Marathon (with daughter Alanna) | 42.2 km | Completed | 3 h 20 m; raised €70 000 for charity – youngest Dublin Marathon finisher |
| 2019 | Dublin to Belfast Ultra | 173 km | 3rd place | 18 h 18 m |
| 2020 | Five Marathons in 24 Hours | 211 km | Completed | Fundraiser for local track |
| 2021 | Last One Standing (Florence Court) | Backyard Ultra | 1st place | 63 yards (≈ 422 km) |
| 2021 | Belfast 24-Hour Championship | 24 hours | 3rd place | 232.67 km |
| 2022 | Backyard Masters (Germany) | Backyard Ultra | 2nd place (assist) | 89 yards (≈ 597 km) – Irish record |
| 2022 | European 24-Hour Champs (Verona) | 24 hours | Ireland team member | 246.711 km |
| 2023 | Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Championship | Backyard Ultra | Top 20 | 74 yards (≈ 496 km) |
| 2023 | Dublin Marathon | 42.2 km | Completed | 2 h 57 m PB (two days after Backyard Worlds) |
Awards and recognition
Russell was awarded the Lord Mayor’s Medal in 2018 for his marathon with Alanna, and her race bib number 141 was permanently retired by the Dublin Marathon.[4] He has since been nominated for multiple national honours, including Outsider Magazine’s Man of the Year 2022 and Most Inspiring Person awards, and is widely celebrated for his fundraising and advocacy for inclusive sport.[9]
Community and charity work
Through his banner Team Alanna, Russell has raised more than €250 000 for Irish charities supporting children with disabilities, respite care and local sports facilities. He continues to coach with Navan AC and leads community running groups, encouraging newcomers to the sport. He also serves as a motivational speaker, sharing his story to promote resilience and mental health awareness.[7]
Legacy
Keith Russell is regarded as one of Ireland’s most inspiring endurance athletes. His performances at the Backyard Ultra and 24-hour events have placed him among the world’s elite ultrarunners, while his personal story of running in memory of his daughter Alanna has touched audiences far beyond the running community.
References
- ↑ "Athletics Ireland – Ultra Running News". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ "Running for Alanna: the inspiring story of Keith Russell". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ "Father and daughter's marathon of love". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Dublin Marathon honours Alanna Russell". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Dublin to Belfast Ultra 2019 Results". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Russell completes five marathons in a day for charity". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Navan runner's latest endurance test". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ "Keith Russell crowned Last One Standing champion". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Keith Russell – 89-hour Backyard Ultra effort hailed as one of Ireland's greatest endurance performances". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ "Irish runner Keith Russell pushes to 74 laps at Backyard Worlds". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ "Navan's Keith Russell runs Dublin Marathon days after 74-hour ultra". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ "Belfast 24-Hour 2021 Results". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
- ↑ "IAU European 24-Hour Championships 2022 Results". Retrieved 10 November 2025.
External links
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