Behind the Record: A Coach’s Reflection on Matt Field’s 24-Hour Journey

There are moments in coaching where everything clicks, when the planning, the training, the trust, and the sheer human effort all come together in a way that feels almost surreal. Watching Matt Field break the British 24-hour running record with 281.3km was one of those moments.

I’ve coached many athletes over the years, some of the best ultra-runners in the UK and beyond, but there was something about Matt’s journey that was different. Not just because of the record (although, let’s be honest, that’s an extraordinary achievement), but because of where it started, how it evolved, and the sheer belief he brought to every single step.

Our First Call: Nothing Flashy, Just Intent

When Matt reached out to me just over a year before the record, he hadn’t been running long. No standout results at the 24 hour format, no long history in the sport. But there was something in the way he approached things, methodical, curious, no ego, just a willingness to learn. He wanted to see what he could do.

That first conversation wasn’t about big goals or chasing records, although I knew it was where we’d end up. It was about building structure, figuring out where he was, and setting a plan in motion that made sense for him. Coaching, for me, is always individual. It’s never about dropping someone into a pre-made plan, it’s about adapting to their life, their capacity, and where they want to go.

Training a Record-Breaker

We didn’t train for a record. Not at first. We trained for progress. Steady, sustainable growth. Consistent long runs. Specific intensity blocks. Treadmill hill sessions. Smart strength work. Most of all, we trained with intention.

One of the more unusual pieces of his training that people now keep asking about is the 5% incline treadmill sessions. They’re not fancy, they’re controlled, consistent, and brutally effective. They mimic the final effort required in a 24-hour race without destroying the legs. It’s this kind of work, quiet, unglamorous, and focused, that made the difference.

Fuelling was a big focus, too. Matt hit 108g of carbs per hour during the race. That didn’t happen by accident. He tested it, adjusted it, practised it in long runs. This is something I always stress, your gut is a trainable organ, and the athletes who practise fuelling in training hold the cards on race day.

Race Day: From Coach to Crew

At the race in Gloucester, I wasn’t just a coach, I joined Matts trusted crew, helped with some problem-solving, adjusting some things on the fly. It was cold overnight. I’d just finished running a 100km race myself earlier that day, so I was tired but adrenaline and excitement kept me out at the track all night to support Matt and a few others I coach that were also running.

Watching Matt run those final hours was something I’ll never forget. He was controlled, composed, and absolutely relentless. We’d always said the race wouldn’t start until hour 20. That’s when it gets hard, when the legs are wrecked and the mind starts to wobble. That’s when his discipline showed up.

I remember standing on the edge of the track thinking, “He’s going to do it.” And then he did. British record. Over 281 kilometres in 24 hours.

What Made This Possible?

Yes, Matt is talented. But more than that, he’s coachable. He trusted the process. He showed up for the boring runs, did the work, listened, reflected, and never tried to force the magic.

This wasn’t built on high-tech gadgets or training in the mountains. It was built on smart training, tailored fuelling, emotional control, and belief. It was built on the sessions he didn’t feel like doing but did anyway, and the ones where he held back when it mattered most.

And maybe that’s the lesson here: performance doesn’t have to be complicated. It has to be consistent. Intentional. Patient.

What You Can Take from This

Not everyone is aiming for a British record. But everyone, at some level, wants to know what they’re capable of. That’s what drew Matt to the 24-hour format in the first place and it’s what draws so many of the athletes I coach to these types of events.

It’s not about running in circles. It’s about stripping things back. There are no distractions, no excuses. It’s you, the clock, your fuelling, your pacing, your mind.

So, if you’ve ever thought about taking on something like this, maybe not for a record, but for your own test of resilience, know that it’s possible. And more than that, it’s worth it.

Final Thoughts

I’m proud of Matt, not just for the record, but for the way he got there. Quietly. Humbly. Relentlessly.
It’s been a privilege to guide him through this chapter, and I’ve no doubt this is just the beginning for him.

And if this story has lit a spark in you, maybe that’s your sign to start your own journey, wherever that may lead.