Adam Ross only recently started running seriously. Now, he's taking on a year long challenge to raise money for and awareness of homelessness charity, Shelter.

Each month in 2026, Adam will be completing a unique endurance challenge, from 10k races to half- and full marathons, with the promise of some even tougher events to come towards the end of the year.

As the co-founder and director of Track Global, a marketing, sales, and distribution advisory partner for property developers, Adam hopes to use his business to raise awareness of homelessness. As such, his project falls under the title of The Track Global 12 in 12.

In this episode, we speak about Adam's upcoming race for April, the Manchester Marathon. He has since completed the race, finishing in under four hours; a feat made even more stunning by the fact he was struggling to run 5k as recently as November.

Running Tales spoke to Adam about the homeless crisis across the UK, why he chose running to highlight the issue, and the challenges that await him over the rest of the year...

Sponsor Adam's on his 12 in 12 challenge journey for Shelter.

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Our affiliates:

◾TAKE THE BEST PATH: Path Projects offer some of the best running gear in the business.

I love this kit and it looks really cool even on a 48-year-old, decidedly average runner like me!

If you buy anything from Path Projects, Running Tales will get 10% of whatever you pay to help us continue to produce this Substack and the podcast.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Path Projects Affiliate Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

◾SLOTH & DUCK: More than a shop, Sloth & Duck is a movement celebrating the outdoors, purposeful living, and adventure at every pace.

Designed for trail runners and ultramarathoners, their kit is crafted to connect you to nature with comfort, intention, and a splash of whimsy.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sloth & Duck Affiliate Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

◾DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE: Kibra empowers women to embrace their unique beauty through high-quality activewear designed to cultivate confidence and a resilient mindset.

Their distinctive performance wear supports every journey, while they also partner with global NGOs to bring about meaningful change.

If you buy anything from Kibra, Running Tales will get 20% of whatever you pay to help us continue to produce this Substack and the podcast.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kibra Affiliate Link

Ashley Riley has seen first-hand how running can help people with both their physical and mental health.

As an outgoing, comfortable, loud, business owning and confident middle-aged man, Ashley had few obvious worries in life.

But that was before he experienced his first ever panic attack. It was followed by another one. And another.

Within a month, Ashley's panic attacks had turned into bone crushing anxiety and deep, dark depression. Despite four courses of medication, the NHS couldn’t help and a psychotic Ashley was taken into psychiatric care.

Two weeks later he suffered two strokes.

Ashley's recovery has been powered by many things - the love of his family, therapy, routine... and running.

These days, via his male mental health support group, Blue Soul Shoes, Ashley shares his story regularly, talking honestly and openly to businesses and other groups.

Running, and in particular parkrun, have played a deeply meaningful part of his recovery. He runs at the 5k event every week with his 11-year-old son Teddy, taking time to share how physically, emotionally and spiritually, parkrun provides an amazing opportunity for anyone battling their mental health.

Running Tales spoke to Ashley about recovering from - and continuing to counter - depression, the daily run that boosts his mood, and how anyone can be a victim of poor mental health...

Find out more about Blue Soul Shoes

Visit Running Tales on:

Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Please Like and Subscribe wherever you listen, watch or read Running Tales.

Buy Me A Coffee:

Back Running Tales and help us continue to tell the extraordinary stories of everyday runners: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/runningtales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Our affiliates:

◾TAKE THE BEST PATH: Path Projects offer some of the best running gear in the business.

I love this kit and it looks really cool even on a 48-year-old, decidedly average runner like me!

If you buy anything from Path Projects, Running Tales will get 10% of whatever you pay to help us continue to produce this Substack and the podcast.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Path Projects Affiliate Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

◾SLOTH & DUCK: More than a shop, Sloth & Duck is a movement celebrating the outdoors, purposeful living, and adventure at every pace.

Designed for trail runners and ultramarathoners, their kit is crafted to connect you to nature with comfort, intention, and a splash of whimsy.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sloth & Duck Affiliate Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

◾DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE: Kibra empowers women to embrace their unique beauty through high-quality activewear designed to cultivate confidence and a resilient mindset.

Their distinctive performance wear supports every journey, while they also partner with global NGOs to bring about meaningful change.

If you buy anything from Kibra, Running Tales will get 20% of whatever you pay to help us continue to produce this Substack and the podcast.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kibra Affiliate Link