Carlisle runner runs 100km a week in quest for Fastest Known Times

Jonathan Lowe, who was born and lived in Carlisle, moved to Djuro, Stockholm in Sweden in November 2020.

After the move to Sweden, Jonathan, who was not the biggest fan of running in Carlisle, was encouraged to start walking and running more for health reasons and alongside his wife Anna began exploring the Swedish archipelago where they lived. 

Fast-forward to May 2024, Jonathan completed his first-ever ultra marathon, the Vinterviken Backyard Ultra at which he ran 100 miles. 

Jonathan and his family (Image: Supplied) Jonathan's new-found passion also led him to the world of 'Fastest Known Time' (FKT), a community of ultra runners who aim to set the fastest times for routes all over the globe, with Jonathan currently having three in Sweden under his belt. 

The longest of these routes is the Oland end-to-end which was 149 kilometres and took Jonathan and his friend Marc over 16 hours to complete.

He said: "I didn’t like running at school to the degree I made excuses as to why I couldn’t run.

"I tried again in my early twenties but my first Park Run was not successful with me slowing down considerably with a major stitch but I did finish. I then gave up running.

(Image: Supplied) "Fast forward to 2021 and a visit to my doctor in Sweden who advised that due to a high level of bad cholesterol, I should change my diet to be more healthy together with exercising at least 90 minutes per week.

"I signed up for my first half-marathon on Djurgården in Stockholm for April 2023. I ran a couple of half marathons in 2023 and signed up for the same half marathon in April 2024 again to keep me motivated during the winter.

I was excited yet nervous to sign up for the Vinterviken Backyard Ultra in May 2024. I put my head down and through sheer determination, I managed to make it to 100 miles.

"Whilst I was doing research for the Backyard ultra concept I heard a few people talk about FKTs.

(Image: Supplied) "I looked into what these FKTs were and found the idea of challenging myself on my own terms was exhilarating.

"I didn’t want to go back to doing shorter races, or even longer races for that matter.

"The rest of 2024 was me trying to see how I could manage longer distances and learning what I needed to know."

Jonathan's three FKTs, including the mammoth Oland end-to-end route and his favourite route through Tiveden National Park, have taken him a combined 34 hours to complete but the physical exertions have only increased Jonathan's appetite.

(Image: Supplied) As 2024 comes to an end, Jonathan is running between 100 and 120 kilometers a week as he prepares for his next FKT attempt and has plans to chase a world record route and potentially return to the UK.

He said: "My aim over the winter period is to strengthen myself through doing a lot more strength training alongside running circa 100km to 120km per week.

"My main goal for next year had been to run a route which would attain me a world record, technically every FKT is a world record but I want to achieve an FKT on a high profile route, preferably in the UK.

(Image: Supplied) "One particular route I’m looking at is over 700km and over 10,000 metres of elevation.

"To be able to finish the above route let alone break the record I’d need to make sure I master doing longer distances.

"The longest run, outside the backyard ultra concept, I have done is 149km in 16 hours. I’d need to do this five times in about the same time with a lot more elevation.

"Therefore I’ve set myself a challenge for next year which is to run around the five largest lakes in Sweden. These range from 180km to over 500km.

"If I can test out what works and what doesn’t on these runs then I think I’ll be ready to go for the big one – whether this is later in 2025 or needs to wait until 2026 I won’t know until I’ve done these runs."