Marathons
The 26.2-mile (42.2 km) distance has bookended William’s running career, a debut in 1981, a personal best of 2:38 in 1995, and a return to standard marathons in 2020 after three decades of ultra distance racing.
William first ran a marathon in 1981, while still living in Holland and at a loose end after retiring from his table tennis career. A short three-month training block led to a 2:43:49 debut at the Birmingham People’s Marathon, an extraordinary first race that he only realised the significance of years later.
After moving to Orkney in 1982 and dealing with persistent chest infections, running became his medicine, then his vocation. By 1995, aged 41, he set a marathon personal best of 2:38:17, the speed foundation that would later power his ultra distance career.
In January 2020, after 26 years of ultra distance racing, William stepped back from ultramarathons and returned to standard marathons. Following hip replacement surgery in May 2023, he made a triumphant return, winning the M70 age-group at the Frankfurt Marathon in October 2024 with an age-group personal best of 3:32:57. He has since returned to ultra distance racing, and marathons now serve as training: his fourth St Magnus Marathon in July 2026 was a long run/walk in preparation for September’s GOMU World 6 Day Championships in Hungary.
Marathon Highlights
Personal Best
2:38:17
1995, aged 41
M70 Age-Group PB
3:32:57
Frankfurt, October 2024
Marathon Debut
2:43:49
Birmingham People’s, May 1981
Selected Marathons
A selection of William’s standard-distance marathons. Click column headers to sort by year or time.
| Year ↕ | Event | Location | Time ↕ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | St Magnus Marathon | Kirkwall to Birsay, Orkney | 4:48:55 | Eighth edition of the UK’s most northerly marathon — William’s fourth. Run as an even-paced training run for the GOMU World 6 Day Championships, with a 10-second negative split. |
| 2025 | New York City Marathon | New York, USA | 3:56:40 | 19th place M70 in the Abbott World Masters Marathon Championships, held as part of the New York marathon. William’s last competitive M70 marathon. |
| 2025 | London Marathon | London, UK | 3:48:57 | Scottish M70 Marathon Champion; the London Marathon hosted the Scottish Championships. First London Marathon since return to standard distance racing. |
| 2024 | Seville Marathon | Seville, Spain | 3:44:03 | Comeback marathon, 18 February 2024 — first full marathon following hip replacement surgery in May 2023. |
| 2024 | Frankfurt Marathon | Frankfurt, Germany | 3:32:57 | M70 age-group winner — age-group personal best. Best performance as an M70 marathoner. |
| 1995 | Marathon (personal best) | — | 2:38:17 | Lifetime marathon personal best, aged 41. The speed foundation behind William’s ultra-distance career. |
| 1992 | Black Isle Marathon | Black Isle, Scotland | — | Return to marathon running after a decade away. |
| 1981 | Birmingham People’s Marathon | Birmingham, UK | 2:43:49 | Marathon debut — 54th place after just 3 months of training. |
This list focuses on standard-distance marathons (26.2 miles / 42.2 km). For longer events — from 100 km up to 3,100 miles — see Notable Races and Records.
Marathon Photo Gallery
