Who is Nick Ashill?
Nick Ashill was born in Pontypool, South Wales and spent his early years growing up in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. He is a Professor of Marketing at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He is also an ultramarathon runner. In 2015, Nick lost his mum to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), which has no cure. His family encountered delayed diagnosis, confusion about symptoms, and limited treatment options. To honour his mum and raise awareness of PF, Nick made the decision to run 3400 miles across America from Los Angeles to New York. He had run Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert in 2014 (described by National Geographic as the toughest foot race on the planet) and was looking for a new challenge.
The experience of losing his mum reshaped Nick’s purpose: to use endurance running not as spectacle, but as a platform for advocacy, education, and action. Globally the disease affects 5 million people and a staggering 50% of all sufferers die within 3 years of diagnosis.
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In late 2016, Nick reached out to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust (www.pulmonaryfibrosistrust.org). Led by the inspirational Chairman Peter Bryce (Peter lives with PF), the PFT provides practical, emotional and financial support to those affected by the disease.
With a great support crew in place, Nick started his 3400-mile adventure on 14 May 2017 at the end of Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. By day 80, he had reached the middle of Ohio and run just short of 2500 miles - California and the Mojave Desert, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kanas, Missouri, Illinois, India and half of Ohio. He was 1 week ahead of schedule and had the magical target of completing the run in under 100 days. But then his life changed forever.
On 2 August 2017, he was deliberately hit by a pickup truck at 60mph and thrown into a ditch on US Highway 40, about 30 miles west of Columbus, Ohio. The vehicle did not stop. Fifty-six minutes after being hit, state police and paramedics found Nick and he was flown in a medical helicopter to Ohio State University hospital which became home for the next 5 months. Despite the life-threatening injuries, he survived the hit and run. He was told that he would never run again and would walk with a limp and need a cane. After 16 surgeries and 4 years of physiotherapy, Nick returned to the United States in May 2022 to finish what he started in 2017. The 3400-mile run took 101 days, and 8 pairs of running shoes. Because of the hit and run, Nick holds the world record for the longest time to run across America!
What came after America 2022?
In May 2024 Nick joined a small group of runners (5) by completing a 2500 mile across Australia, from Perth to Sydney.
In 2026, he will publish a book about the American and Australian runs. The book titled ‘The Longest: A story of Endurance, Trauma and Forgiveness’ represents a raw account of an event that changed his life. In the book he shares his vulnerability and the hopes and dreams he lost, his failure to acknowledge PTSD and depression, the pain of physical recovery and a divorce which rocked his world to its core. He also shares his journey of learning and growth, a path shaped by redemption and the power of forgiveness. All proceeds from book sales will be donated to support the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust, helping to breathe hope into the lives affected by respiratory disease.
What is Nick’s next big idea and why is it important?
On September 5th, 2026, Nick will run the entire length of Britain from John O'Groats to Land’s End. The run will help increase awareness of PF and raise vital funds for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust. By completing the run, Nick will join ultrarunner William Goodge (British) who is the only other person to have run across America and Australia, and the length of Britain. William is in his early 30s; Nick will be 62 when he finishes.
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If you are suffering from Pulmonary Fibrosis, or would like to support the Charity, please contact us. Follow us on social media to hear our news and activities, please do follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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